![]() The Lindy Hop is the “original” swing dance. The tempo can vary greatly, but they’re typically very fast, between 80 to 120 BPM. Besides classic swing and big band music, WCS dancers also perform zpop, country swing, blues, and rock music. The mirror opposite of East Coast Swing dance is, of course, West Coast Swing! Plus, the dance uses three common rhythms depending on the music and the beat: single, double, and triple. The dancers will circularly move about the floor, typically ending with a rock step. Beginners can quickly learn the choreography in just a couple of weeks (this is also the reason why most novice swing dancers are advised to start with East Coast Swing first before moving on to tougher styles.)ĮCS mostly uses a six-count pattern, but occasionally, the dancers can improvise to include an eight-count pattern, too. East Coast Swing DancingĮast Coast Swing is one of the most popular forms of swing dancing out there due to its simplicity. There’s no shortage of classes that instruct them, either. There are several types of swing dancing, most of which are still being performed today. Today, swing dance continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, with communities and dance scenes thriving in cities worldwide. Fortunately, there have been sporadic resurgences of swing dancing (which was in the 80s). Unfortunately, in the decades that followed, swing dance gradually fell out of favor, as other dance styles, such as rock and roll and disco, took center stage. Older folks who were used to the stricter, more formal ballroom dances weren’t very pleased … but they were a minority. And of course, every weekend, the entrance of dance halls was packed with enthusiastic dancers.ĭue to its lively energy and risque, sensual moves, swing dance became a symbol of youth culture and rebellion. You can’t tune in to a radio station without hearing a classic or two, like Mame by Louis Armstrong and Indiana by Gene Krupa. That craze was the period that’s now known as the “Swing Era”, which lasted from 1933 to 1947.Īt the height of its popularity, big-band music dominated the airwaves. It’s one of the many reasons why, eventually, the Lindy Hop spread beyond the Harlem and swept across the country in a swing dance craze. The Savoy Ballroom was one of the few places that didn’t discriminate by skin color, so everyone – no matter the color of their skin – could dance and learn from each other. It’s a combination of traditional African-American dances, along with the eight-count structure of classical European partner dances.Īs a result, the dance is familiar and can be performed by everyone at the time (do note that when the Lindy Hop came onto the scene, the US still practiced racial segregation). ![]() The Lindy Hop first appeared in the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, NYC. Every weekend, young people flocked to dance halls and clubs to dance to the lively rhythm of the music.Ī notable dance that came to be atop jazz music was the Lindy Hop, which many considered to be the earliest form of swing dancing. At that time, jazz music was extremely popular. The swing dance came roaring into the American ballroom dancing scene in the 1920s in the Harlem area of New York City. There are still a lot of conflicting records and stories about the true origin of swing dancing. That’s why no performance ever looks the same: swing dancing is an exercise in creativity and improvisation. Dancers are encouraged to experiment and explore different moves and choreographies. The highlight of swing dances is their emphasis on improvisation. ![]() And speaking of music, it’s also very easy to tell swing dancing apart by their fast-paced, joyful, and energetic music! Watching a dance performance, you can tell swings apart by the dramatic lifts, spins, and flips that the dancers execute to the beat of the music. But in reality, swing dance is a family of dances rather than anything in particular. At the end of the move, the leaders have to get back into the slot and face their partners.There are many specific dances that people have claimed to be “the definitive swing dance”. Side with right foot (Turn body 1/4 to left)Ĭross left foot in front of right foot (Continue turning)īack with right foot (facing your partner)Īnchor Step (3 steps in place) How To Lead:Īfter the 2 triple steps, the leaders need to open up their bodies strongly to the left and thus “gently pull” their partner forward (This is getting out of the lady’s track). Walk fwd with left foot (Start turning body to left) Step fwd with left foot (Turn to face your partner)Īnchor Step (3 steps in place) Followers: Side step with left foot (Turn body 1/4 to left) Triple step to right – Side, close, side (right, left, right) Triple step to left – Side, close, side (left, right, left) Breakdown of this West Coast Swing Basic Leaders:
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