Learn To Dance Online: Lindy Hop

[2oldfrank]

I once did "The Bunny Hop" with an older woman.

[windcrest77]

This is way too smooth, no bounce or pulse, he is not unloading his weight into his triple steps and on the charleston move he just marked time, no intensity. This is west coast swing styling being done to Lindy steps. Also the music is something you would never ever hear at a real lindy dance, the music is very west-coasty too. Very dissappointed. For real lessons go to iDance.net.

[silviakardos]

I like this video very much though it is not for learning but remembering what I have already learned. That is excatly what I missed, there are so many instructional videos but hardly any that is SLOW and yet detailed - and definitely not a AAAA level professional show...thanks guys.Great job!!!

[appleguy1804]

lol that was more like a show off rather than an instruction...

[MrSmilingUndead]

The Lindy Hop is so full of life. I think you're doing a great thing with your videos.

Showing people that is still danced, still loved and you can learn it too if you want.

[Love2Dance48]

Wow! You sure are in the 21st Century. You would be shocked to know just how many 20 -30 year old LOVE to Lindy Hop! They have weekend conventions where they dance that dance until the sun comes up!

You're missing out on a lot of fun!

[Midoww999]

What the Hell Is thatt ? Shit !! we are in 21 Centurry ! Wake Up !! 

[HunterstonB]

I think that is the opposite way round. If you are going to learn Swing dance you need to know what makes it swing.

Once you know the difference between 'Swingtime' and 'Straightime' and understand - then you are ready to learn the steps.

In Argentine Tango a good teacher will make you walk with the music for weeks so you understand the relationship between the steps and the music. It should be the same with Swing dance.

Learning steps without understanding the music is pointless

[JudgeJulieLit]

These two dancers do a lovely demonstration of the Lindy -- very interesting many variations. And is well that her skirt lets us see her lower leg moves and footwork. What would make this more of a lesson would be more, and loud enough verbal instruction -- for example, calling out counts and/or "Left," "Right," and other descriptors of what we're seeing. Talk would reinforce.

[JudgeJulieLit]

(cont.) And it would be nice to learn the names of component moves, such as (toward the end, a few seconds of) an aerial Charleston and an interesting, low side dip. This would build our (if you will) choreographic literacy.

[HunterstonB]

This is mechnical.

Ballroom dancers following steps that have no contact with the musical structure.

If you wanted an example of why genuine Swing dancers loathe the ballroom influence - this would be it,

[JudgeJulieLit]

@HunterstonB  But an instructional video needs to be mechanical -- to show us clearly the component moves, to break down the dance into its mechanics, our focus as beginners. Later, after the basic steps / mechanics are mastered, then we can add panache.

[SwingboyPA]

Not "Lindy" dancers, these are ballroomers. No instruction; just them dancing to slow music. No energy, nothing to learn, pretty boring...

[playbojus123456]

Whats the songs name in the background? god damnit cant nobody write?!

[ddr1011]

has anyone watched these two dancers try their hand at any other dance? even the other dancers that are on the website? i'd just like to know if anyone realized that this is the only dance they've done for more than a few days....this website is despicable to me. with all the other resources online, why would anyone resort to learning from these videos and their website?

[Love2Dance48]

@ddr1011 Sorry you feel that way, fortunately there are many other dancers that have been able to learn to dance with the instructional videos as they are repetitive and very detailed. Of course, not being a member you would not know that. We are currently adding 5 more hours of dance instruction.

[ddr1011]

@Love2Dance48 but there are so many other resources on the web! the tango is clunky and heavy; why would someone want to try to emulate that? the chacha lacks personality and is counted "1,2, cha cha cha"; even the timing is wrong. wouldn't someone new to ANY sort of dancing seek to learn from someone who is experienced, who can count the correct way, who knows the characteristics of the dances? it all just looks like a review of a beginner ballroom class to me. i guess if that's the audience...

[Love2Dance48]

@ddr1011 Actually these instructors are DIVIDA Certified and yes, it IS a "Beginner" Ballroom Class review that helps new dancers to remember what they actually learned in dance class. And yes, at this time this IS the audience.IF, you were ever to actually visit the site and saw the dance instruction clips, I think you may have a different opinion. We are also adding new and more experienced instructors at this time.

lovetodanceonline

[mjs5168]

@ddr1011 i agree with you ddr1011 none of the videos on their youtube Chanel actually look good..they look like beginners who are trying to teach..that being said if i were looking to learn online i won't join their website because i don't see a reason too..i don't see a video that makes me say "wow they look great i want to learn from that person" which was the reason i started i saw a guy and girl dancing thought they looked awesome and it seemed like a great time..and then i started with him

[rachelsanders2]

@ddr1011 Yes, learning to dance IS despicable. Why would anyone want to engage in a fun, social activity? How are you enjoying sitting on your couch, eating fast food substances and watching reality television?

You are an abject failure as a human being.

[1Kitamora1]

I... It doesn't explain how to execute the steps. I'm a dancer myself (though not ballroom) so it isn't as hard, but anyone without as much dance experience would have a lot of trouble picking it up just by watching, more specifically at that speed. Walk through it next time, with a narroration.

[nezinau123]

Those who can - do, those who can't - teach.

[HelloThar9]

Random Fact of the Day: Malcolm X was a god of the Lindy Hop.

[SirCaseyoftheLea]

@HelloThar9 Random Fact of the Day: Langston Hughs wore an electric blue zoot suit.

[HelloThar9]

@SirCaseyoftheLea

Random Fact of the Day: Karaoke means "empty orchestra" in Japanese.

[aoifebrady]

Really lacks personality....

[meggypeggyeggy]

boooring :/

[LordRehan]

This doesn't help anyone learn anything! This is just showing!

[mollymydog9]

what is the name of the music in the background?

[Love2Dance48]

Hi Molly,

I am sorry to say that I do not know. It was a Royalty Free piece that we purchased off a list. They do not have names!

[1joeyschueler1]

hey, these dancers, they are good teachers, just takes a bit o' practice :)

[veryconfused2]

are you teaching or just showing how good u can dance?

[softerworld42]

Can every body please stop calling it "The lindy hop" It's technically correct, but it's like saying "The facebook"

[johnbourbon]

pipe down, the softerworld42!

[suavesteppers]

This is an exhibition. A good one of the Lindy Hop. If you want to learn the dance you can on line along with supplementing it with paying for dance classes to all of you cheapskates.

[Love2Dance48]

Love you suave steppers!

[suavesteppers]

Nice cool and smooth. Thumps up folks !

[rianne271]

i dont learn ANYTHING. -_-

[tazer5]

i didnt learn shit. i kinda knew i wouldnt when i notice it was 2 minute vid.

[DARKnDODGY]

bahahahaha...top comment.....try copying these boys..check out my vid of "Paulo Nutini new release pencil full of lead with Al Minns and Leon James dancing"..

[legolasisagirl]

lol, i agree, whut?

cool dancing, but not a lesson, and the lindy hop is SUPER FAST and i miss the basket holds and flips

[tazer5]

@legolasisagirl

i know right! lol yeah lindy hop is fastttttttttttt! :)

[InsultingBozo]

what is the song in this video?

[hy2110aus]

Swing Out--Sw.O.--Lindy Circle--Tuck Turn, Lady's W Spin--American Spin--Sw.O. Texas Tommy--Right Hand High Turn wz position change--American Spin--L.C.--Side by Side Charleston--Hand to Hand Ch.--S.O. from Closed Position--L.C. Left Hand Release--Sending Out--L.C.--Tuck Turn, Lady's W Spin--Sw. O.--Sw. O. Texas Tommy--American Sp.--L.C. L/H Release--Sending Out--Sw. O wz W/Hand Hold Finish--Sugar Push var. 10 count Squatting Fin.--Sw. O. wz Lady's Inside Turn.

[hy2110aus]

I have broke down this lindy dance sequence.

This sequence consists of the moves you are likely to learn at any beginner lindy classes. To me, the Sugar Push variation at the nearly end is unfamiliar and the count on the move looks bit messy.

I have finished beginner level of a lindy class, but still feel difficult to combine these moves seamlessly on my lead.

If you put captions of the moves' names on the video, it surely will benefit lindy dancers like me.

[jerramy]

Jeez, that is so much clearer now..... I thought I was dumb not being able to learn the dance by watching the vid!

[liveleakisbetter]

I enjoyed this :)

[ashleywest90]

how is this a lesson??

[tangomommy]

Light on your feet in the Lindy Hop? Give me a break people. Get over yourself. These kids are adorable, and are doing a great job with this dance.

[DJLIUX]

Well as I dance ballroom dances for me it looks like Jive just performed by very beginners who doesn't know how to use their feet or legs yet... Cause steps are exactly the same that I use in my Jive, just it doesn't look like I have lumber instead of my legs. The only thing that makes it good looking are those throw-girl tricks which I believe are not allowed in ballroom competitions but I'm not sure maybe we just don't use it for no reason, because I never saw someone doing that...

[SATeamWombat]

Jive is swing for people who couldn't figure out how to pulse correctly or use their partners energy; they instead decided to bounce around like puppies chasing after flies.

Lindy isn't a Ballroom style, and complex aerials aren't generally done in the other swing styles (exception: club east coast) because it's difficult to build up enough energy.

That said, this video isn't a good example of Lindy. To put it simply, they look like ballroom dancers trying to do swing.

[calebmyers]

As a ballroom dance instructor, I have to say that the "Jive" you learned is not a Jive at all. You actually learned the Lindy Hop and either you are mistaken on the name of the dance the instructor taught you, which can happen for beginners, or your instructor simply called the dance by the wrong name.

[DJLIUX]

@calebmyers Uhuh I dance in international ballroom competitions for B group all over the europe and I don't know what I learn... yeah you're probably right... Silly me, there goes the real speacialist...

[calebmyers]

@DJLIUX I'm not quite sure what you're actually trying to say... Are you agreeing? Are you insulting? I'm not sure what your intention with that response truly is. I'm glad you dance "International Ballroom...all over the Europe" but to be fair, saying you dance all over Europe is much like saying I dance all over the US. However, it doesn't take much to be "international" in Europe, whereas it may actually take quite a bit to dance in competitions on both coasts here in the US.

[DiavolettoLino]

That's definitely too fast to learn ^^

[brooklynsweb]

The shapes are correct, the technique is a fail though. Where's the frame? Where's the solid connection?

[hhsdance94]

this kinda sucked, you need to be light of the feet

[barbarellagb]

kids, how can you call this online dance instruction when you forgot to give the instructions or it got edited out. just dancing a song isn't a good lesson at all. what are the counts, what foot starts, what are the turns called...etc. sheesh !

[batflag]

Thank' s for the lesson, I'm a beginner.

You are great

[swingerbeno]

I must say that you two are great

[damonrocksthehouse]

Sorry guys,

Music sucked on this one. No one dances to that crap. She is a decent follow, but he needs to have more of a body lead and not so much of a arm-hand-lead. Put in some bill elliott, put more complicated stops in, close up some of his arms-in-the-air form. Bravo for putting it up here for all to critique, though.

[KalElTheGreat]

wow, you guys are really smooth! if you start teaching some more moves then ill definately tune in!!!

[Love2Dance48]

Wow! You are so great to comment! Joel and Caitlyn teach all of the moves shown in that dance, plus other dances on our web site: learntoballroomdanceonline

They are awesome and break everything down step by step. We are brand new and would love to hear what you think!

Thanks again,

Michele

[KalElTheGreat]

no no, moves are never a problem to learn, i was talking about technique! they are really smooth, and they're balance is perfect. and they dance on the back of each beat instead what most people dance on top of each beat!

they must have had really great teachers.. btw, what is that piece of music called?

[Love2Dance48]

I know exactly what you mean, their technique is eccellent. We are so lucky to have them as our instructors on our site. I am not sure what the music is, I will ask them. You might like to see them dance other dances as well you can preview them without even signing up, check it out. I'll ask about their instructor too, I know they feel she is the best, out of San Fran CA and I know Joel and Caitlyn have won many championships. Thanks

Michele