Fallaway Whisk
- Level
- Gold (ISTD); (?) (IDTA)
- Timing
- (123)
- Rotation
- ⅜ to Left
Notes
The Fallaway Whisk is listed in the 'Additional Figures' section of the ISTD syllabus. This is because it is not a required figure for examination. For the sake of competition and choreography, it can be used just like any other figure.
The Fallaway Whisk is listed in the 'Additional Figures' section of the ISTD syllabus. This is because it is not a required figure for examination. For the sake of competition and choreography, it can be used just like any other figure.
Historical Note
In our 1966 edition of The Revised Technique by Alex Moore, the Fallaway Whisk as a Named Variation (Gold).
We can only speculate as to how it came to its current position -- possibly having been removed entirely before being re-inserted as an additional figure in the latest amendment.
IDTA Syllabus: The Fallaway Whisk is listed under 'Additional Figures' in The Waltz and Basic Principles by Guy Howard (2011). It is not specified at which level it is to be danced.
In our 1966 edition of The Revised Technique by Alex Moore, the Fallaway Whisk as a Named Variation (Gold).
We can only speculate as to how it came to its current position -- possibly having been removed entirely before being re-inserted as an additional figure in the latest amendment.
IDTA Syllabus: The Fallaway Whisk is listed under 'Additional Figures' in The Waltz and Basic Principles by Guy Howard (2011). It is not specified at which level it is to be danced.
Back Whisk turned to Right vs. Fallaway Whisk
In both the ISTD and IDTA syllabi, the Back Whisk contains a footnote that allows it to be turned ⅜ to Diagonal Center following 1-3 Natural Turn. This can cause confusion, as this alignment is also the one used by the Fallaway Whisk, and can make identifying the two somewhat troublesome. Here are some distinguishing characteristics:
Back Whisk turned to Right:
Rise/Fall on 3rd Step: Up. Lower end of 3.
Sway (Man): Straight, Right Side Up, Right Side Up.
Fallaway Whisk:
Rise/Fall on 3rd Step: Lower on 3.
Sway (Man): Straight, Straight, Left Side Up.
Our recommendation is to use the Back Whisk turned to Right technique for turns up to ¼, and the Fallaway Whisk technique for rotations of ⅜. Also, see our Video Comparison below.
In both the ISTD and IDTA syllabi, the Back Whisk contains a footnote that allows it to be turned ⅜ to Diagonal Center following 1-3 Natural Turn. This can cause confusion, as this alignment is also the one used by the Fallaway Whisk, and can make identifying the two somewhat troublesome. Here are some distinguishing characteristics:
Back Whisk turned to Right:
Rise/Fall on 3rd Step: Up. Lower end of 3.
Sway (Man): Straight, Right Side Up, Right Side Up.
Fallaway Whisk:
Rise/Fall on 3rd Step: Lower on 3.
Sway (Man): Straight, Straight, Left Side Up.
Our recommendation is to use the Back Whisk turned to Right technique for turns up to ¼, and the Fallaway Whisk technique for rotations of ⅜. Also, see our Video Comparison below.
If you click play on both videos, the demonstrations to music will appear nearly simultaneously.
We have to admit that it isn't easy to tell the difference between the two.
We have to admit that it isn't easy to tell the difference between the two.
Video examples
Video Comparison-30 shows the Fallaway Whisk.
-7D shows the Back Whisk turned to Right.
Video Example 2
Notes
Victor Veyrasset and Heather Smith demonstrate and explain the Fallaway Whisk.