Do your research. Look and see exactly where "West Coast" Swing originates. The only thing "Swing' about it is the Starter Step (6 count jitterbug step, demonstrated here) and the 8-count whip (the 8-count lindy basic slowed down by Arthur Murray for the folks who simply could not dance that fast). Otherwise, why call it Swing? Might as well call it, more appropriately, the "Dance Created to help make Middle-Age Guys Look Like They Can Dance Too".
I hear you. And, you're right. But, historically, there was no "East Coast" Swing until Arthur Murray invented "West Coast" Swing, which originally was a much slowed down version of Swing danced in a slot. The point is, the Starter step described in this video is West Coast Swing, and is derived from what you were taught is called "East Coast" Swing. When I first took West Coast Swing lessons, this was the starter step taught.
@hakreme actually the proper way to start west cost swing has a similar basic to east cost. this is done to get the feel for the rhythm to begin the dance. doesn't seem like you have done a lot of west cost swing =-(
basic WCS: ladies: (r) wlk, (L) walk, sugar push (this IS basic), tap (L) in 5th, anchor step (not a rock step) with a push off L, slide R in to position with both feet together, weight on R, back to walk on L. This is done in a line formation ( he got that right) unlike ECS.
@danceanddive West Coast Swing has both 6-count and 8-count steps, so Yes, you can be dancing East Coast swing and West Coast swing at the same time. West Coast Swing is a dance style not a step.
Comprehensive and well taught starter step with throw-out, something I was not taught in my Basic WCS. Thanks alot, and the light tenor to the video makes it pleasing to watch and learn!
I have just recently watched this Video, and have read all the comments posted thus far (April 8th 2008). I want to Clairify for all those that might watch this and read all the comments posted here.
Yes, this *Does* look like East Coast Swing. However this is not East Coast Swing, this is the STARTER step for West Coast Swing. The only time ANYONE uses this is when you are STARTING the dance from closed position. If you look at any of the competitions that single out thier competetors ie.
ie. a competiton where you start in a spotlight, usualy a competiton when couples come out individualy and dance a length of song and have the whole floor to themselves. A good way to see exaples of this is find Champion devision jack and Jills or strictly swings. They almost ALWAYS start out in closed position, and use this same starter step, or something EXTREMELY simmilar to what is shown above.
I urge you to see it in its true form/context it will make alot more sence.
Except the basic starter step does NOT include a rock step. A rock step would unnecessarily send the follower *backward* on the first walk instead of forward. For a basic starter-to-throwout, you lead the follower down the slot by (basically) walking backward, not rock-stepping.
I disagree. You could mix in a starter step within your WCS. However not like the one shown here. This is old school country type WCS starter. Today even in country WCS they do not do a rock step as part of the starter step. The starter is simply 2 triples. You then do a basic throw out left side pass or left side tuck or whatever WCS pattern you can do from closed position.
I am amazed by all these comments. I'm at the Frankie Manning 95th Birthday Celebration now. I just attended a vip session where a bunch of old timers -- people who were dancing swing 30 years before anyone ever heard of wcs -- where they were asked to comment on several newly discovered clips from "The Spirit Moves" (a historical video documentary on the history of dancing in the us, including swing). I think they would say "Swing dancin' is swing dancin'" Amen to that.
Thanks for sharing this little bit of Swing history. I know Robert Royston and Laureen came from the country world, and I've heard his stories about wearing boots and hats, but I don't think I'd ever seen him with the whole mullet and beard look.
For those interested in West Coast Swing, check out Robert Royston's new Movie LOVE AND DANCING when it comes out. I saw the trailers for the movie at the U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships and it looks terrific!!!
I'm curious if you asked Robert & Laureen if you could post this? It has to be 10-15 years old and they don't dance -or teach- anything like this anymore. I'd guess they'd laugh at themselves now, but I think you are doing them a disservice by posting this.
Although they are no longer together, they are both fantastic teachers. I've taken privates from both of them for WCS and they are two of the best and nicest teachers around.
I obtained permission from the producer and copyright holder of the video. In addition, I personally told Robert that I had posted it. This is posted because a) it demonstrates the lindy origins of WCS, and b) it my favorite instructional dance video. The sense of non-seriousness, off-the-wall silliness and pure fun are what is sorely lacking from the West Coast Swing danced today. You look at it and see outdated stuff. I look at it and see history. Beautiful history.
You are doing East Coast. Rock step, side side is east, while west is 1 step back with the left foot, 2 step back with right foot, 3&4 triple step and step forward with the left foot, 5&6 triple step right, or at least that is the basic.
Not to mention that your east isn't even that nice looking. I don't recommend this video to anyone.
Did you pay attention to anything said or printed here? This is a "West Coast Swing" instructional video. The clip here demonstrates the "Starter Step", which *I* said is the basic 6-count Jitterbug step (or East Coast Swing for some of you out there).
My point is that all the versions of Swing (East, West, Jitterbug, DC Hand Dance, Steppin, Bop, Texas Hop, etc, etc...) are all so very familiar and all come from the same place: Lindy Hop. Which, of course sprung from the Charleston.
You are doing East Coast Swing. You did the basic rockstep, triple, triple. Not the only thing that bothered me about the video. If anyone watching this wants to learn swing go to another video or dance studio as this one is lacking.
Sorry you are bothered so much. There was a time when Linday hop, and the music it was danced to, was referred to in white society as "Jungle dancing" and "Jungle music" (see Ken Burns "Jazz"). Different strokes for different folks, I say.
I happen to dance many variations of Swing, including West Coast. I used this video when I was first learning, and liked both the technique it presented (very basic but solid), and the instructors (hammy, but fun).
I'm not sure if you realize this, but West Coast Swing is a version of original Swing (what you refer to as east coast). The same can be said of Steppin, DC Hand Dance, Jive and so on... The WCS starter step, which is what this clip illustrates, is, in fact, your basic Swing 6-count jitterbug Swing step. And, the WCS 8-count whip is nothing more than a slowed down version of the basic Lindy Hop step. My point is to show the interrelationship between all of these dances.
Not only is the dance different, but the music is different as well. East coast tends to subdivide better into 6 with the rhythm more on top of the beat, rather then the slightly behind the beat that the west coast school teaches. I've learned east coast jazz all my life, so learning how to dance west coast style is a real challenge.
My point has been, and remains, that they are different versions of the same dance.
You're still counting the same 6-count beat to two measures of music.
Rock step, Triple-step, triple-step.
Step, step, triple-step, anchor step.
Two different dances, same basic rhythm. Dance it long enough and you'll feel it naturally. You'll feel it from your partner, from the people around you, and most importantly, from the music.
Mmm....the 6 count triple-triple-rockstep is a piece of many kinds of swing, not THE original Swing, lets make that clear. And I disagree that "WC is the most versatile of couple's dances" - I dance Lindy Hop to all of the above. People who say that haven't seen what Lindy Hop can do and DOES on a regular basis. That's why we aren't slotted. We get things DONE. *GRIN*
Let me try and clarify what I meant. Original Swing is, in fact Lindy, which has an 8-count basic. As the "jazz" music it was danced to became known as "Swing" music, so the style of dance formally known as Lindy began to change into "Swing" dancing.
The 6-count "Jitterbug" step at some point became the basic "Swing" step. I don't like the term "East Coast Swing". So, I refer to it (obviously misleadingly) as "Original" swing.
Yeah, I'm sorry, but I really hate that term you're using. It is misleading, especially for any beginners who might come across a thread. You'd have to put a disclaimer beside it every time you typed it. We just call it Basic Triples, and leave it at that until we branch out in history and dance lessons.
I agree, it is East Coast, not to mention other sloppy things. People should watch other videos if they wish to learn swing as this one is below average.
If they wish to learn what kind of Swing? Chicago Style Step? DC Hand Dance? L.A. Bop? Texas Swing Out? West Coast Swing? Lindy? "East Coast" (Original Swing as far as I'm concerned)?
People should watch all sorts of videos to learn Swing, and not just instructional videos. They should watch clips from old movies filmed during Swing's heyday to see how Original Swingers threw down.
This isn't West Coast Swing :-/
mod5000 9 months ago
this is east coast not west cost dangit ug
hakreme 1 year ago
@hakreme
Do your research. Look and see exactly where "West Coast" Swing originates. The only thing "Swing' about it is the Starter Step (6 count jitterbug step, demonstrated here) and the 8-count whip (the 8-count lindy basic slowed down by Arthur Murray for the folks who simply could not dance that fast). Otherwise, why call it Swing? Might as well call it, more appropriately, the "Dance Created to help make Middle-Age Guys Look Like They Can Dance Too".
SwingingInTheHood 1 year ago
@SwingingInTheHood dude no west caost and east coast are different thats how i was taught and it makes sence so yea.
hakreme 1 year ago
@hakreme
I hear you. And, you're right. But, historically, there was no "East Coast" Swing until Arthur Murray invented "West Coast" Swing, which originally was a much slowed down version of Swing danced in a slot. The point is, the Starter step described in this video is West Coast Swing, and is derived from what you were taught is called "East Coast" Swing. When I first took West Coast Swing lessons, this was the starter step taught.
SwingingInTheHood 1 year ago
@SwingingInTheHood ok. thanks for the heads up.
hakreme 1 year ago
@hakreme actually the proper way to start west cost swing has a similar basic to east cost. this is done to get the feel for the rhythm to begin the dance. doesn't seem like you have done a lot of west cost swing =-(
Nanometer45 1 year ago
no need to nit pick, this is Rob just avin a larf, he's not reinventing the wheel, there are loads of way's to do a cool throw-out.... enjoy!
dcgpix 2 years ago
basic WCS: ladies: (r) wlk, (L) walk, sugar push (this IS basic), tap (L) in 5th, anchor step (not a rock step) with a push off L, slide R in to position with both feet together, weight on R, back to walk on L. This is done in a line formation ( he got that right) unlike ECS.
danceanddive 2 years ago
This is east coast swing not west coast swing
danceanddive 2 years ago
@danceanddive West Coast Swing has both 6-count and 8-count steps, so Yes, you can be dancing East Coast swing and West Coast swing at the same time. West Coast Swing is a dance style not a step.
lindyhop411 1 year ago
Comprehensive and well taught starter step with throw-out, something I was not taught in my Basic WCS. Thanks alot, and the light tenor to the video makes it pleasing to watch and learn!
brentfoto 3 years ago
I have just recently watched this Video, and have read all the comments posted thus far (April 8th 2008). I want to Clairify for all those that might watch this and read all the comments posted here.
Yes, this *Does* look like East Coast Swing. However this is not East Coast Swing, this is the STARTER step for West Coast Swing. The only time ANYONE uses this is when you are STARTING the dance from closed position. If you look at any of the competitions that single out thier competetors ie.
ender407 3 years ago
continued from ^^
ie. a competiton where you start in a spotlight, usualy a competiton when couples come out individualy and dance a length of song and have the whole floor to themselves. A good way to see exaples of this is find Champion devision jack and Jills or strictly swings. They almost ALWAYS start out in closed position, and use this same starter step, or something EXTREMELY simmilar to what is shown above.
I urge you to see it in its true form/context it will make alot more sence.
ender407 3 years ago
Except the basic starter step does NOT include a rock step. A rock step would unnecessarily send the follower *backward* on the first walk instead of forward. For a basic starter-to-throwout, you lead the follower down the slot by (basically) walking backward, not rock-stepping.
(Online lessons make me SO ANGRY)
ljonesvc 2 years ago
I disagree. You could mix in a starter step within your WCS. However not like the one shown here. This is old school country type WCS starter. Today even in country WCS they do not do a rock step as part of the starter step. The starter is simply 2 triples. You then do a basic throw out left side pass or left side tuck or whatever WCS pattern you can do from closed position.
DancingFool4you 2 years ago
I am amazed by all these comments. I'm at the Frankie Manning 95th Birthday Celebration now. I just attended a vip session where a bunch of old timers -- people who were dancing swing 30 years before anyone ever heard of wcs -- where they were asked to comment on several newly discovered clips from "The Spirit Moves" (a historical video documentary on the history of dancing in the us, including swing). I think they would say "Swing dancin' is swing dancin'" Amen to that.
SwingingInTheHood 2 years ago
just excelent!
alexbleik 4 years ago
Thanks for sharing this little bit of Swing history. I know Robert Royston and Laureen came from the country world, and I've heard his stories about wearing boots and hats, but I don't think I'd ever seen him with the whole mullet and beard look.
For those interested in West Coast Swing, check out Robert Royston's new Movie LOVE AND DANCING when it comes out. I saw the trailers for the movie at the U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships and it looks terrific!!!
dancingmimi 4 years ago
I'm curious if you asked Robert & Laureen if you could post this? It has to be 10-15 years old and they don't dance -or teach- anything like this anymore. I'd guess they'd laugh at themselves now, but I think you are doing them a disservice by posting this.
Although they are no longer together, they are both fantastic teachers. I've taken privates from both of them for WCS and they are two of the best and nicest teachers around.
SwingboyPA 4 years ago
I obtained permission from the producer and copyright holder of the video. In addition, I personally told Robert that I had posted it. This is posted because a) it demonstrates the lindy origins of WCS, and b) it my favorite instructional dance video. The sense of non-seriousness, off-the-wall silliness and pure fun are what is sorely lacking from the West Coast Swing danced today. You look at it and see outdated stuff. I look at it and see history. Beautiful history.
SwingingInTheHood 4 years ago
It looks like a bit Latin dance. I love this Swing style of dance.
annekepoort 4 years ago
Excellent video! The instructors were engaging and made the moves easy to understand. Thanks for sharing!
spiderlady56 4 years ago
people should be nice'
this is the east coast" btw
dizybits 4 years ago
well a east coast ... triple step triple step rock step is a east coast step
bugguy905 4 years ago
Thank you! : )
catsinthesun 4 years ago
is this chuck norris?? buahaha
pinkpig26 4 years ago 2
You are doing East Coast. Rock step, side side is east, while west is 1 step back with the left foot, 2 step back with right foot, 3&4 triple step and step forward with the left foot, 5&6 triple step right, or at least that is the basic.
Not to mention that your east isn't even that nice looking. I don't recommend this video to anyone.
Watcher4187 4 years ago
Did you pay attention to anything said or printed here? This is a "West Coast Swing" instructional video. The clip here demonstrates the "Starter Step", which *I* said is the basic 6-count Jitterbug step (or East Coast Swing for some of you out there).
My point is that all the versions of Swing (East, West, Jitterbug, DC Hand Dance, Steppin, Bop, Texas Hop, etc, etc...) are all so very familiar and all come from the same place: Lindy Hop. Which, of course sprung from the Charleston.
SwingingInTheHood 4 years ago
You are doing East Coast Swing. You did the basic rockstep, triple, triple. Not the only thing that bothered me about the video. If anyone watching this wants to learn swing go to another video or dance studio as this one is lacking.
Watcher4187 4 years ago
Sorry you are bothered so much. There was a time when Linday hop, and the music it was danced to, was referred to in white society as "Jungle dancing" and "Jungle music" (see Ken Burns "Jazz"). Different strokes for different folks, I say.
I happen to dance many variations of Swing, including West Coast. I used this video when I was first learning, and liked both the technique it presented (very basic but solid), and the instructors (hammy, but fun).
SwingingInTheHood 4 years ago
Nice Video! Download and save this youtube video to your harddrive with _youtubex.com_
shawna4140 4 years ago
I Love Robert Roylston!
amonly 4 years ago
WOW Do people really dress like that?
luv2jive 5 years ago
You are doing the east coast swing, not the west coast swing
stormiwether 5 years ago
I'm not sure if you realize this, but West Coast Swing is a version of original Swing (what you refer to as east coast). The same can be said of Steppin, DC Hand Dance, Jive and so on... The WCS starter step, which is what this clip illustrates, is, in fact, your basic Swing 6-count jitterbug Swing step. And, the WCS 8-count whip is nothing more than a slowed down version of the basic Lindy Hop step. My point is to show the interrelationship between all of these dances.
SwingingInTheHood 5 years ago
That is the way I see it too!
bbstepper 5 years ago
Not only is the dance different, but the music is different as well. East coast tends to subdivide better into 6 with the rhythm more on top of the beat, rather then the slightly behind the beat that the west coast school teaches. I've learned east coast jazz all my life, so learning how to dance west coast style is a real challenge.
Aeromedic 4 years ago
My point has been, and remains, that they are different versions of the same dance.
You're still counting the same 6-count beat to two measures of music.
Rock step, Triple-step, triple-step.
Step, step, triple-step, anchor step.
Two different dances, same basic rhythm. Dance it long enough and you'll feel it naturally. You'll feel it from your partner, from the people around you, and most importantly, from the music.
SwingingInTheHood 4 years ago
Mmm....the 6 count triple-triple-rockstep is a piece of many kinds of swing, not THE original Swing, lets make that clear. And I disagree that "WC is the most versatile of couple's dances" - I dance Lindy Hop to all of the above. People who say that haven't seen what Lindy Hop can do and DOES on a regular basis. That's why we aren't slotted. We get things DONE. *GRIN*
Direness 4 years ago
Let me try and clarify what I meant. Original Swing is, in fact Lindy, which has an 8-count basic. As the "jazz" music it was danced to became known as "Swing" music, so the style of dance formally known as Lindy began to change into "Swing" dancing.
The 6-count "Jitterbug" step at some point became the basic "Swing" step. I don't like the term "East Coast Swing". So, I refer to it (obviously misleadingly) as "Original" swing.
SwingingInTheHood 4 years ago
Yeah, I'm sorry, but I really hate that term you're using. It is misleading, especially for any beginners who might come across a thread. You'd have to put a disclaimer beside it every time you typed it. We just call it Basic Triples, and leave it at that until we branch out in history and dance lessons.
Direness 4 years ago
I agree, it is East Coast, not to mention other sloppy things. People should watch other videos if they wish to learn swing as this one is below average.
Watcher4187 4 years ago
If they wish to learn what kind of Swing? Chicago Style Step? DC Hand Dance? L.A. Bop? Texas Swing Out? West Coast Swing? Lindy? "East Coast" (Original Swing as far as I'm concerned)?
People should watch all sorts of videos to learn Swing, and not just instructional videos. They should watch clips from old movies filmed during Swing's heyday to see how Original Swingers threw down.
SwingingInTheHood 4 years ago