You ask: “Why can’t waltz be considered a slow dance?” My question to you: Is there some reason why you need to officially call a particular waltz a slow dance? The problem is that the definition of a slow dance is not set in stone. Slow dancing is not a formally recognized dance so it’s not easily defined, nor is there a widely accepted curriculum. It’s kind of like the old saying from a U.S. Supreme Court Justice when he couldn’t define pornography and said, “I know it when I see it.” People who know nothing about dance–people who couldn’t tell the difference between a rumba and a merrangue–probably know a slow dance when they see.

As I suggested in my earlier comment, if a couple were dancing to slow waltz music, particularly something like a romantic ballad, and the couple had a close embrace (no daylight between their bodies), and if they stylized it in a romantic way, I’m guessing most people would call it–correctly or incorrectly–a slow dance. If this were at, say, a wedding, the fact that it’s a waltz may not be relevant as I’m guessing most guests could not identify waltz music so they would not even know the couple was dancing a waltz.

It sounds like you have a specific song you’re working on. What’s the name of the song? Even better, is there a version of it on youtube so everyone can listen to the same arrangement for free?

I have asked some questions from you and you had answered well. I have another small thing to clarify. According to your definition double rhythm is two weight changes in two beats. That means in the first two beat you change the weight twice. When it comes to waltz, it has 3 beats for a bar. In the waltz we weight change three times in a bar. That means in the first two beats we change our weight twice. After that we have one beat remaining in the first bar. If we take first beat of the second bar then we have again two beats. Then we change our weight two times on two beats.
Is it correct ?
If it is correct why waltz can’t consider as a slow dance. (waltz tempo is 84 bpm.)
This is only my question. Want to be clear. Please help me.
Thank you.

1) What is the meaning of slow dance?
I think you’re asking for a definition. It’s not a well-defined dance but, at the simplest level, it’s using single rhythm (eg, STEP HOLD) and double rhythm (eg, STEP STEP) to music with a slow tempo. Click on this link to see the free chapter on slow dancing in my website.

2) Is waltz a slow dance?
Based on the definition above I would say no, but if a couple were dancing to slow waltz music with a close embrace, it might look like a slow dance.

3) Is there a basic step for slow dance?
Teachers will vary on that. My suggestion is to use the 8-count basic side step, which is double–single–double–single. One verbal call you could use is: STEP STEP–STEP HOLD–STEP STEP–STEP HOLD. Click on this Freebie Video link to see me demonstrate it in a video clip. Scroll down to the video titled, “Page 103 – The Side Step.”

4) What is the beat range for slow dance?
This is more complex than it seems. Tempo, or relative tempo like the word “slow,” is subjective. What is slow tempo for me may feel medium tempo to you. And it’s on a song-by-song basis, which means a song that makes me want to slow dance may make some one else want to swing dance or foxtrot. At the moment, I guess I don’t have a good answer but, for me, something around 100 beats per minute or below is where I’m probably thinking about doing a slow dance. (Actually, in my case, I’m thinking about doing a blues dance, which I sometimes do to music faster than 100 bpm–again, it’s complex.)

Have you looked at blues dancing? I see it as the contemporary manifestation of slow dancing. It’s sort of a cross between slow dancing, foxtrot and maybe some swing, and it’s highly improvisational. Search goolge and youtube for “blues dancing.” It’s gaining popularity. Click on this link for a recent piece by National Public Radio on blues dancing.

Thanks

Thanks,
Eric