Swing
Dance
Swing is one of the original American Dances. It
has its origins in the early 20th century,
from the Charleston, Two Step, and the dances of the 20s. It
probably developed in more than one location. West Coast Swing started in
California.
There
are several names used to refer to Swing Dance: Lindy, Lindy Hop, Jitterbug,
East Coast, 6-count Swing, etc. These names are often misunderstood. There are
several distinct types of Swing Dance: Lindy Hop, Jive, Rock and Roll, West
Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Carolina Shag, Push, Whip, etc.
Swing dancing presents a story
as old as time: boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy loses girl...The exciting
moves of swing always work off the tension of attracting and rejecting your
partner...
The following is a summary of what I am learning about
East Coast Swing from my
wonderful teacher,
Evita Arce and the
comments from
Nathan Bugh!
Swing Music
The swing music is either in 2/2 cut time (that means that
there are 2 beats per measure: 1-2, 1-2, etc.) or in 4/4 time (1-2-3-4.)
Notice that Foxtrot is also in 4/4 time, so that means
that you will be able to use your swing moves with Foxtrot music.
The Hold
The couple stands in a "V" (promenade position.) The
man's right hand goes in the lady's back, more to the right side than the
center. The lady's left hand rest on the man's shoulder.
The hand hold is different than in standard ballroom
dancing: the arms are relaxed, so the hands are at hip level. The lady has her
right hand as if holding a tube, with very slight pressure. The man's left
hand's middle and ring finger go inside her hand, with the index finger outside,
resting on the outside of her hand. When the man wants the lady to back off, she
will feel pressure in the palm of her hand. When he wants her to come forward,
she will feel pressure on the back of her fingers. He will not squeeze her hand,
and she will not squeeze his fingers. When turning, the man's fingers have to be
free to rotate inside the lady's "virtual tube".
Six Count Swing
The moves use 6 beats (3 measures in 2/2 time, 1 1/2 in
4/4 time.) This is from the leaders perspective - the follower moves with
mirror symmetry.
- Rock Step - The leader steps back with his left foot
(1), transfers weight to the right foot (2)
- Left foot forward (3), hold with weight on left foot
(4)
- Weight transfer to right foot (5), hold (6)
A variation introduces triple steps:
- Rock Step - The leader steps back with his left foot
(1), transfers weight to the right foot (2)
- Left foot forward (3), right foot left (a),
left foot left (4)
- Right foot right (5), left foot right (a), right foot
right (6)
The swing triple step is not the same as the one in
cha-cha (3 equally timed steps.) It is more related to the Foxtrot timing: slow,
quick-quick. But in Foxtrot the slow is 2 beats and each quick is one, while in
swing the triple uses 2 beats: 1 plus 2 halves. It is the difference between
"Jingle bells, jingle bells,..." and "Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle
bell rock..."
Note that in a triple step you end up with weight
in the same foot you started, while in a double step you switch weight. After
any even number of triple steps you end up on the other foot.
If one partner is doing single steps and the other
triples, it would look funny because when one puts his/her weight in one
direction the other is going on the other one!
How to avoid this disconnection? When doing the 2nd triple
steps, make sure that you travel sideways (and take the lady with you! :)
Note: when shifting weight from foot to foot, do not tilt
your body but instead move its axis over the foot with the weight. If you tilt,
not only will you not look "cool", but you will cause your partner to lose her
balance! Also, do not stand up straight: your knees should always be bent, while
you bop with the music, as when you are ready to receive a tennis serve.
Eight Count Swing
The moves use 8 beats (4 measures in 2/2 time, 2 in
4/4 time.)
- Rock Step - The leader steps back with his left foot
(1), transfers weight to the right foot (2)
- Left foot forward (3), hold with weight on left foot
(4)
- Weight transfer to right foot (5), hold (6)
- Weight transfer to left foot (7), hold (8)
This does not look particularly graceful, so it is more
common to use triple steps:
- Rock Step - The leader steps back with his left foot
(1), transfers weight to the right foot (2)
- Left foot forward (3), right foot left (a),
left foot left (4)
- Hold weight on right foot (6), hold weight on left foot
(6)
- Right foot right (7), left foot right (a), right foot
right (8)
You can think of 8 count swing as a 6 count with a
step-step sandwiched between the triple steps.
This variation is very useful for moves that require a lot
of walking: the rock step never travels, but the triple steps and the step-step
in the middle can be used to move around.
Moves
The Basic 8 Count Moves: Swingout from close, Swingout,
Circle to Close
- On the rock step, move (not slide!) your hand from
the right side of her back to the left, to create more room between you, and
push her 90 degrees clockwise.
- On the triple steps, step in front of her (your 180
degree turn.) Don't move her (until the next step)!
- On step-step, use your right hand on her back to
rotate her 90 degrees, acting as a door to let her pass through
the spot where you were. Don't move the right foot in a circle, but brush it
against the left foot as it passes. The lady is forced to pivot and turn
with you
- Then you both triple step away from each other,
creating tension
- Instead of letting the lady rock step back, you pull
her forwards. Start pulling on the 8, so she reacts and comes on the 1. In your rock step you move your left foot diagonally backwards
- She comes towards you, doing two swivels. You cross
your right foot to the left, to get out of her way as she comes towards you
(these are your triple steps) You catch her with your curved right arm, as
you rotate together
- On the step-step, send her away using the kinetic
energy of the turn
- Triple step away from each other to create tension
- Starts like a swingout, but when you catch her and go
around, you don't let her go, but do the triple step together, backwards
- As you start the 5 (1st step), raise your left arm
- On the 2nd step, as you send her away, rotate her
counter=clockwise
- She should aim to go straight - you have to get out
of the way (She should be looking at the back of her hand as she is being
turned)
- Instead of "back-it-up" for another swingout, you can
put forward pressure by walking the triple forward ("front-it-up") and push
her for a rock step
- At the start of the last triple step, you move your
left foot. Decide if it is going to go further apart - for the back-it-up -
or close to the right for the "front-it-up"
Rock Step Trick:
- Arms low, relaxed
- On the 6 or the 8, push body forward, and then bounce back on the
tension, for the rock step
- You can do 2 rock steps in a row: need anticipation -
on the 2 (2nd step of the rock step) push her back for another rock step
- From handshake - right hand holding right hand
- On the rock step, push lady back and around (clockwise), following "S"
pattern of arms (Don't turn too much yourself - Give most energy to your
partner.)
- On the triple step, touch right shoulder with left hand
- Keep on walking in a circle, alternating touching and letting go (the
lady does the same.)
- To end, turn lady clockwise, while doing 2xtriple/rock step
- Note: don't rush the turn - give lady time step, step before rock step
- After rock step, bring left hand to left side (tuck), giving lady a
slight counter clock rotation
- At the same time, bring left foot forward and touch toe to the ground
(hold)
- Then push, turning her clockwise, while doing a triple step
- End with rock step
- Note: the left hand draws a cone as the lady turns,
ending low, so she knows that there are no more turns coming
- Variation: double turn
- Holding hands, right to right
- After rock step, bring left hand to left side (tuck), giving lady a
slight counter clock rotation
- At the same time, bring left foot forward and touch toe to the ground
(hold)
- Then push, turning her clockwise, while doing a triple step
- End with rock step
- Variation: put left hand on her forearm, helping her
turn
- Start with a left hand hold
- On 1st triple, lift the right hand pulling the lady
forward into a counter-clockwise turn
- Finish the turn on the 2nd
- Rock step
- After a right pass, keep hand up in the air, rotated
with the palm up (so back of hand would touch your head)
- The turn is done in one single triple step:
- right foot crosses in front, landing next to left
foot, in a "wound" position (1 of 3)
- unwind on the 2nd (2 of 3)
- step side and a little forward on the 3rd (3 of
3) as you bend your knees and lean forward, in preparation for the
- Rock step
- Tuck turn
- Right pass
- 2 Swingouts
- Hold both hands
- On the 1st side, bring arms up, rotating torso left
- On the 2nd side, rotate torso right
- Rock step (back, not back/side)
- Do more than one
- Note: push her with body - a little earlier - on 6th - right foot
- Also, the rotation is not pushing with the arms, but with the whole
torso
- Stand side to side, facing in the same direction,
left arm in the air, right on the lady's back (symmetrical for the lady.)
- Outside leg kicks
- Inside leg kicks
- Repeat
- Face each other, man kicks left leg, on the outside
- Lady kicks right leg, in between man's
- Repeat (total of 4 kicks)
- On toes, move both heels left, angling her with right
hand for lead
- Then, on heels, move both toes left
- Repeat for a total of 4
- Start with 2 six count to warm up
- On Rock step, open lady up, 90 degrees clockwise,
stepping in front, triple step
- Facing her, step-step
- Raise hand, lady & man turn on the triple, switching
places
- Rock step, then come together
More to come...
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