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Dance Articles: Tips for Beginners by Karin Norgard
Listen to the Music
Every social dance in the world was inspired by music that made people want to move, and most cite music as one of the aspects of dance they find so exciting. The most enjoyable dancers know the music so intimately that they are able to express it with their bodies. Even at the beginning level, it is crucial to become familiar with the rhythm. The rhythm is the common language that allows you and your partner to communicate and dance together.
The best way to feel the music when you dance is to listen to that type of music as often as you can. Get a danceable CD from your instructor, the bookstore, or online, and listen to it in your car, at home, and while you work out. A great way to get the music into your body is to practice the basic steps of the dance to music at home. Walk around the room to the beat without any patterns or moves. If you practice this often enough, you will be better able to feel the music when you dance and will catch on to more complex moves, syncopations, and concepts faster.
Don’t Look Down
It is natural to want to look at your feet when you are learning a new dance. However, this is one of the biggest stumbling blocks to learning and developing muscle memory. Dancing is not about seeing, but about feeling and enjoying. It is important to be able to feel the movements in your body instead of relying on visual cues alone. In fact, advanced dancers in any social dance are able to lead and/or follow a great number of moves and patterns with their eyes closed.
So where do you place your focus, if not on your feet? First, focus on the dynamics of the steps: feel the shifting of weight that takes place, the changes of direction, and the patterns that make up the dance. Second, pay attention to your relationship with your partner in the basic movements of the dance and how the man and the woman complement each other with their steps. Third, listen to the music and feel how it expresses itself in your body. And finally, it’s your dance! Let your mind wander where it will during the dance. Notice everything about how you feel, how your partner feels, how the music feels. Everyone finds something different in the dance; the most important thing is to experience it fully in whatever form it may take.
Dance with Different People
If you are learning to dance with a spouse or friend, it is tempting to dance with just that person. There is a degree of safety in dancing with someone you know and feel comfortable with. However, it is best to dance with many different people, especially when you are just starting to learn the dance. Everyone leads and follows differently, and dancing with other people will show you different ways of communicating with a partner and interpreting the music. Oftentimes people get used to certain partners and begin to develop “signals” that tell the other person when to lead or follow a certain move. Dancing with different people will force you to truly feel the lead or follow and engage in a conversation.
Beginners are often concerned that they will end up dancing with someone who is either very unsure of their steps or the music, or someone who is much more advanced than they are. However, both of these situations are an opportunity for learning that you will not find if you dance with only one person. Dancing with someone that you may consider “boring” to dance with is a great opportunity to practice your technique, focus on the music, and learn how to be a sensitive leader or follower. Dancing with someone who is very advanced, on the other hand, offers a great opportunity for you to keep the rhythm regardless of the moves you are doing, focus on the technique and connection that will allow you to lead and/or follow well, and do moves that you might not be able to do with your regular partner. Focus on each dance as a conversation with your partner and the music, and make each dance an opportunity for learning.
Relax and Enjoy!
I once read that there are two qualities that distinguish a truly enjoyable dancer from the rest of the pack: musicality and connection. It is encouraging to know that regardless of the number of moves you have in your repertoire, you can have an enjoyable dance with anyone if you are attentive and responsive to your partner and the music. And of course you will be enjoyable to your partner if you are in the moment and absorbed in that particular dance with that particular person to that particular music. So relax, and enjoy!
• East Coast Swing was derived from the Jitterbug, which grew out of the dance halls of Harlem during the 1920’s. Essentially, the terms East Coast Swing and Jitterbug are synonymous.
• East Coast Swing (6-Count) is intermixable with all forms of swing dancing, though primarily with Lindy Hop
• East Coast Swing is a circular, rotating swing dance that has many wraps, tunnels, and turns.
• The music is diverse and includes oldies (Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry), jump blues, country, big band, and top 40.
• East Coast Swing is a versatile dance suitable for both the ballroom and the bar room.
• With a wide range of music to choose from you can swing to almost anything.
• Swing music is written in 4/4 time with a tempo of 140-175 beats per minute. Since this is a quick dance, the steps should be small and light.
• You can’t go wrong with jukebox tunes from Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry.
What’s the difference between East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, and Lindy Hop Swing?
• East Coast Swing, also known as triple step swing, triple timing swing, and jitterbug, has a basic count of 12, 3&4, 5&6. Some folks describe the basic as “rock step, triple step, triple step.” The dance uses 6 and 8 count patterns. It was the standard swing dance of 50′s-era “sock hops.” The music speed is 140-175 beats per minute. This dance has lilt (bounce) and energy. It is generally danced without strict regard to any particular orientation or geometry. It’s easy to learn.
• West Coast Swing is danced in a slot (a linear pattern) to slower music (generally 110-130 beats per minute). It’s a smooth, often sexy dance, and it does not have lilt and bounce. West coast swing dancers consider their dance to be “cooler,” more chic, more sophisticated, and less barbaric than east coast swing. West coast swing can be more difficult to learn because several foot patterns are required and the patterns may contain 6, 8, and 10 or more counts. West coast swing requires a very good sense of timing and connection.
• Lindy Hop Swing is the current rage with young people. Lindy hop swing can involve lots of kicks and aerials (lifts and flips). The dance uses 6 and 8 count patterns. Common figures include the “swing out,” and the Charleston step.
Where can I learn?
For Dance Classes in Dublin, Contact: alan@danceclub.ie for more information
You may already recognise this dance as 4-Count Swing, 4-Count Hustle, 4-Count Jive or even 2-Hand Salsa of the 1970s. You may also recognise this dance similar to Modern Jive (LeRoc or Ceroc®).
Golden State Dance Teacher Association (GSDTA) Teachers taught this dance form from 1977 through 1980’s under the name 2-Hand Salsa. By 1995, with the return of the popularity of Salsa Music, 2-Hand Salsa no longer fit the Salsa picture. Skippy Blair changed the name to Melange, meaning a “Mixture of Things” in French.
The Rhythm Pattern is Double-Double and each new pattern starts with a “Rock Step” followed by a step to the “side” left, followed by a step to the “side” right (“rock step”, “side side”). All patterns should be counted through 8.
The simplicity of the dance allows students to concentrate on Centering, Movement, Position Changes, Count and Feeling the Music rather than concentrating on Foot Patterns.
This dance takes on the look of whatever music is being played. It’s great for Cruises, Weddings, School Classes, or any other social situation where you need or want easy, quick and FUN dancing.
Melange is the dance that can resemble Country Swing, Latin or even Hustle.
Melange is a dance that EVERY student wherever possible should know Melange before going on to other more complicated RHYTHM dances. It makes the dancer comfortable in any social situation and also teaches a variety of partner moves that support future learning.
This is one dance that could probably make you the “Life of the Party”. As a man, it is easy to lead non-dancers into this dance, simply be letting them march in place. Melange prepares you for various directions that are used in other dances. Most of all it is a FUN dance that is EASY to learn. It is also a wonderful way to get introduced to partner dancing.
Source: www.swingworld.com
Melange Clips
Melange aka 4-Count Hustle
Melange aka 4-Count Hustle
Melange (AKA 4-Count Hustle)
2) Single Swing (aka North American Jive aka Rock n Roll)
• 6-Beat Rhythm: Double, Single, Single
• 8-Beat Rhythm: Double, Single, Double, Single
Single Swing is danced with “Single Rhythm”
6-Count Basic can be danced again with the “Rock Step” but the dance now has the timing of “Rock Step”, “Side Hold”, “Side Hold”. The 6-Count Rhythm Pattern is: Double, Single, Single.
8-Count Basic can be danced again with “Rock Step” but the dance now has the timing of “Rock Step”, “Side Hold”, “Rock Step”, “Side Hold”. The 8-Count Rhythm Pattern is: Double, Single, Double, Single
This version is usually danced to very fast music and in this form it is sometimes called Jive, Single Swing, Jitterbug, or (in Europe mostly) Rock-n-Roll.
Single Swing Clip
3) Retro Swing
• 6-Beat Rhythm: Double, Delayed Single, Delayed Single
• 8-Beat Rhythm: Double, Delayed Single, Double, Delayed Single
Tap-Step Swing (aka Tap-Step Jive) is danced with “Delayed Single Rhythm”
6-Count Basic can be danced again with the “Rock Step” but the dance now has the timing of “Rock Step”, “Tap Step”, “Tap Step”. The 6-Count Rhythm Pattern is: Double, Delayed Single, Delayed Single.
8-Count Basic can be danced again with “Rock Step” but the dance now has the timing of “Rock Step”, “Tap Step”, “Rock Step”, “Tap Step”. The 8-Count Rhythm Pattern is: Double, Delayed Single, Double, Delayed Single
Jump Swing (aka Kick-Step Swing aka Kick-Step Jive) is also danced with “Delayed
Single Rhythm” with the heel outstretched on the kicks giving the look and feel of Lindy Hop but doing the patterns more similar to the East Coast Swing. This hybrid version is sometimes called Jump Swing.
6-Count Basic can be danced again with the “Rock Step” but the dance now has the timing of “Rock Step”, “Kick Step”, “Kick Step”. The 6-Count Rhythm Pattern is: Double, Delayed Single, Delayed Single.
8-Count Basic can be danced again with “Rock Step” but the dance now has the timing of “Rock Step”, “Kick Step”, “Rock Step”, “Kick Step”. The 8-Count Rhythm Pattern is: Double, Delayed Single, Double, Delayed Single
What is Jump Swing?
Jump Swing dates back to the late 1990′s swing revival in Southern California: Long Beach and Redondo. Originally termed Retro or Jump or Neo Swing, it followed the regional post-punk, post-rockabilly enthusiasm, as many punk bands and mosh pit dancers converted to swing. The original music featured an up-tempo amalgamation of rock, jump blues, and big band swing – a strong backbeat is characteristic.
Jump Swing has become popular because of the Movie “Swing Kids” and the Gap Commercial looks like a promo for our GSDTA Curriculum. This new variety of Swing has the flavour of the old jitterbug with an easier approach that is FAST, FUN and EASY to learn!
Necessary Background before we JUMP into Jump Swing
Lindy: Basic patterns are all 8 beats, advanced patterns are 6 beats East Coast Swing: Basic patterns are all 6 beats, advanced patterns are 8 beats
Year 2 we are all doing the same patterns.
Jump Swing is simply taking the “Essence” of the look and feel of “SWING” and making it instantly available. By doing Jump Swing first, the student does not go through the “Beginner” look that plagues many dancers. After learning all the variations, it is easy to substitute other RHYTHMS in order to conform to whatever style you wish to portray.
Who Developed Jump Swing?
• Skippy Blair (mother of Jump Swing), saw young dancers jump around during the post rockabilly swing revival of the mid-late 90s. She noted the common practice jumpy 6-count kick pattern, made adaptations, and arranged a syllabus for her teacher workshops. Skippy adopted the name JUMP SWING for her classes, abandoning the original home grown name RETRO SWING. She has helped to spread the dance around the USA. She pioneered her own exceptional instructional approach, popular with many top teachers.
www.swingworld.com
• Sonny Watson compiled some of the Retro Swing with additions in his Retro Swing Video.
www.streetswing.com
What music is Jump Swing Danced To?
The jumpy kick 6 & 8-count patterns segues nicely into Charleston, and feels very satisfying to rockin’ music in any genre, especially tunes with a strong backbeat. A quick overview:
• Up tempo Pop/Rock: Footloose, Part Time Lover, Heat Wave, Walking On Sunshine,
• Jump Blues: Rock This Town, Shake Rattle & Roll,
• Neo Swing: Jump Jive & Wail, If You Can’t Rock Me
• Classic Swing: Sing Sing Sing, Shout And Feel It, Moten Swing, One O’Clock Jump
6-Count Basic can be danced again with the “Rock Step” but the dance now has the timing of “Rock Step”, followed by a “triple” to the left for the man and then a “triple” to the right. The 6-Count Rhythm Pattern is: Double, Triple, Triple.
8-Count Basic can be danced again with “Rock Step” but the dance now has the timing of “Rock Step”, followed by a “triple” to the left for the man and then a “Rock Step”, followed by a “triple” to the right for the man. The 8-Count Rhythm Pattern is: Double, Triple, Double, Triple
It is in this form that the East Coast Swing most resembles the structure of the International Style Jive.
Addition of rotation, underarm turns and changing hand leads create a fun, fast moving and elaborate looking dance even without the addition of other rhythms.
Triple Swing Clip
The reasons to choose different footwork are as follows:
• Learning: Beginning dancers can do simple steps easily, but they may struggle with more complex footwork. Advanced dancers may enjoy more complex footwork.
• Tempo: Simpler footwork, such as steps and holds, are easier to do to fast music. Complex footwork makes slow music more interesting.
• Musicality: If the music has very simple rhythm, then kick steps work well. If the music has a more complex rhythm, then triple steps work well. If the music pauses (breaks) then holds work well.
• Variety: It is nice to vary the dance form, so if you use one kind of footwork for a while, you might want to try another form for a while.
