How To Swing Dance

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Learn the basics of the big-band era, and get ready for a jazzy night on the town!

To complete this How-To you will need:

A dance partner
A sense of humor
Endurance

Step 1: Count out the rhythm

Get used to the rhythm you'll be dancing to by counting it out loud. The beat for basic swing dancing sounds like this: 1 a 2, 1 a 2, 1 2, 1 a 2, 1 a 2, 1 2.

Step 2: Stand in open position

Swing is traditionally danced by a man-and-woman team. Decide who'll be your gent and who'll be your lady. Stand facing each other in open position.

Tip: Open position means standing and facing your partner, maintaining some space between the two of you, and holding one or both hands.

Step 3: Think of yourselves as mirrors

You and your partner will always be dancing the same steps on the opposite feet. Basically, you'll be each other's mirror image.

Step 4: Step to one side

On the first "1 a 2," the man does a left-right-left step to his left side. The woman steps right-left-right to her right.

Step 5: Step to the other side

On the second "1 a 2," the man does a right-left-right step to his right, back to starting position. The woman steps left-right-left to her left.

Step 6: Step away

On the "1," the man steps back and away on his left foot, while the woman does the same on her right foot.

Step 7: Step back

On the "2," both partners shift their weight to the other foot.

Step 8: Practice the sequence

Throw on an old swing hit, and practice until you know the sequence by heart.

Step 9: Step lively

Swing is a fun, upbeat dance, so keep up that energy, and have a blast!

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• recreation
• performing
• dancing
• dances
• learning
• moves
• swinging

[chrisaclark]

@quasimojo8: generally girl swing dancers don't wear heels, they wear flats. it's so common in fact that most other genres of dance make comments that swing dancers should buy some "real shoes" :) usually you can tell the beginners because they show up in heels and sexy club outfits, whereas they quickly realize that next time they should just wear comfortable flats and clothes they don't mind getting all sweaty, as swing is rather athletic.

[harvey1954]

Ladies, flats, not heels.

[Bluedogma3]

So many things wrong with these hack beginners trying to teach: improper hand position (should remain at lady's wasit level unless leading a move...are you trying to punch her in the face or get her to fly by raising it?), improper rock step (should NOT cross or be large-throws your center off and thwarts the leader), improper shoes for triple step East Coast Swing (the style they're dancing). Learn from qualified teachers!!!

[Cirstea777]

hi, isn't step 1 the basic step for Jive? I'm confused

[c0mpiled]

yes, infidel.

[jimcooper100]

The video goes much too fast to be useful.

[lindyhop411]

@Siscast The triple step is what makes swing dancing swing. The syncopated rhythm is directly echoed from the drums played in a majority of swing music in the 30s and 40s. The single step wasn't even introduced until the 1950s, in order to match East Coast Swing with Rock n' Roll music. Who uses the triple step? Only the people that created swing dancing! Look up Lindy Hop, Frankie Manning, and Whitey's Lindy Hoppers.

[bodacitymasters]

Agreed

[Siscast]

i never understood why they even bother teaching the triple step. honestly, who uses it? and it only complicates things for beginners

[lindyhop411]

@GuitarDude722 News flash, if you want to be good at something it takes longer than 24 hours. Do you think you could watch an instructional video on how to play the guitar and be good at it in 24 hours?

[lindyhop411]

@oobydo1 East Coast Swing is East Coast Swing regardless if you do single step, tap steps, or triple steps.

[oobydo1]

looks more like a triple swing