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Have you heard of Rolling Count before? Have you tried it? How did it impact your West Coast Swing?
Skippy Blair who is considered to be the queen of West Coast Swing developed many of the concepts we consider foundational today. One of these concepts is Rolling Count.
Rolling Count creates the appearance of perpetual motion.
I have included links to two articles that explain rolling count. If you can apply Rolling Count to your West Coast Swing, you will be amazed at the difference it will make.
These are PDF documents so you will need Adobe PDF Reader to view them. If you don’t already have it, click here to install it.
• 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.
• West Coast Swing is the State Dance of California
History
• West Coast Swing is a contemporary swing dance derived from Lindy Hop. As smoother styles varied throughout the states, West Coast Swing developed in the 1950′s, following the music trend as it veered away from Swing Music.
• WCS is danced to modern pop music – singers like Gaelle, Lisa Shaw, Akon, Justin Timberlake, Duffy, Jennifer Lopez and Chris Brown.
How it works
• West Coast Swing is a smooth partner dance performed to slower tempo music with an emphasis on follower initiated improvisation, tight turns, and rolling footwork. Basic moves include whips and sugar pushes, often stretching into an anchor step.
Why you should West Coast Swing
• This popular modern dance is full of head-turning moves and tricks while intricate footwork adds to the excitement of the dance. If you enjoy modern popular music, smooth dancing, and lower tempos, you should try dancing West Coast Swing!
My West Coast Swing Teacher Training with Skippy Blair
Skippy Blair is the Founder of the Golden State Dance Teachers Association (GSDTA) & Co-Founder & Education Co-ordinator of the World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) http://www.swingdancecouncil.com/
After her years of teaching under Arthur Murray in the ’50s, Skippy became extremely influential in the teaching and development of West Coast Swing. The USA’s top performers and competitors study with her to this day. Skippy observed that only 1 in 500 dancers has that natural quality that “simply takes your breath away.” Why? Her continued reflection and analysis of this topic has led her into the very marrow of dance technique. She has develped teaching methods that have enlightened not only the top few of the dance elite, but even the least talented, on whom most instructors would prefer to simply give up. Info at www.swingworld.com
The name “Western Swing” was being used by Arthur Murray for the dance. That Skippy changed it to West Coast Swing is the least of her achievements.
West Coast 101
In an effort to preserve the fundamentals and characteristics of West Coast Swing, the World Swing Dance Council has delved back into formal Pattern Names & Lists, starting in 1952 – and followed the development and evolution up through 2008, in order to be able to sanction 14 Basic Patterns in West Coast Swing. This was necessary in order to present 14 Patterns that could authentically represent the essence of West Coast Swing. We have had numerous requests over the past 18 years to clarify these basics. This is actually timely because of growing requests, not just across our nation, but world-wide, to provide a BASIC LIST that would serve as the 14 required, compulsory, patterns for a new, Fundamental Competition.
Here is the current proposed list for West Coast Swing 101:
1. Triple Rhythm Break & Anchor
2. Left Side Pass
3. Underarm Turn
4. Underarm with Hand Change
5. Right Side Pass
6. Lady’s Right Turn & Pass (Torque Turn)
7. Turning Basic
8. Throw-Out (from closed position)
9. 4-Beat Starter Step
10. Basic Tuck (from closed position)
11. Push Break (Sugar Push)
12. Two Hand Tuck
13. Release Whip (Basic Whip)
14. Closed Whip
Source: http://www.swingworld.com/wcs.htm
Alan Doyle & Bethan Griffiths – West Coast 101: Routine 2
Niteclub Foxtrot (often referred to as Ballad) is a slow, romantic, sensual dance, where you sway to the music and glide around the dance floor. Niteclub Foxtrot is one of the few dances for those slower songs 60-80 beats per minute.
Niteclub Foxtrot is a social dance that has been danced in every era and in every country but is seldom given a name.
No matter which dance someone wants to learn, most people progress faster if they master the simple basics of Social Dance by learning Niteclub Foxtrot first.
This dance only uses 2 Basic Dance Rhythms and 3 Foot Positions. It is like learning one syllable words before introducing two & three syllable words.
It’s a great dance for developing good timing; the student starts to hear the phrasing in the music and starts to experience a FEELING for musical interpretation.
Nightclub Foxtrot, which is essentially a compact hybrid of American style Foxtrot and basic nightclub slow dancing.
The “nightclub” version of the ballroom dance, the Niteclub Foxtrot is danced to slow music in a 4/4 time meter.
Source: www.swingworld.com
Wedding Dance & Slow Night Club Dancing
This dance is very easy and a perfect dance for weddings or slow night club dancing. Learning this dance will not only add a little flair to your “regular” slow dance, it will also teach the basics of lead and follow in a closed dance position. Knowing this dance will also help when learning the more advanced ballroom dances.
Because the mood of these songs is usually dreamy and romantic, slow dances are very popular nightclub and wedding dance selections.
Yes you really can dance to those ultra slow ballads and you can still do spins and dips! Sadly many people assume that they can only do the “Bear Hug Sway” to really slow music.
Music
Examples include:
“Unforgettable” by Natalie Cole
“Strangers in the Night” by Frank Sinatra
“At Last” by Etta James
“A Kiss to Build a Dream on” by Louis Armstrong
“Kissing a Fool” by Michael Buble.
Where can I learn?
Classes starting in Dublin (City Centre) & Wexford in January
Contact: alan@danceclub.ie for more information
