Perhaps the most uniquely American of all dances, the Swing brings forth a buoyant carefree movement. It’s one of the dances that becomes contagious.
History:
The Lindy (Swing) picked up for the Charleston left off. It had “swing outs”, “breakaways” and “shine steps”. With the birth of Swing music in the mid 1930’s the Lindy climbed the social ladder. In August 1935, at the Palomar Ballroom, bandleader Benny Goodman played a Fletcher Henderson arrangement of Stomping at the Savoy”. The rest, as they say, is history. The dance craze swept the nation, and depending on where you live, it was the Jitterbug, the Lindy Hop or the Swing. Since those days, each successive generation has “discovered” the fun of Swing. This most uniquely American dance is enjoyed all of the world.
Music:
Swing, Jitterbug, Jive, Shag, Lindy Hop, etc. are normally written in 2/4 or 4/4 time with the musical accents occurring on the second or second and fourth beats of a measure. Swing includes two general rhythms: Swing Rhythm – 1, 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6 or it’s equivalent; Lindy Rhythm – 1, 2, 3 & 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 or it’s equivalent; Swing may be danced comfortably over a wide range of tempos.
Characteristics:
A sidestep or a triple step (shuffle) followed by rock step down to lively music is the fundamental pattern for this dance.
Teaching elements
- Basics Turns and position changes
- Open Breaks Fingertip lead and follow; arm control
- Footwork Weight changes in rotation
- Maneuverability Learn how to move comfortably in all directions
- Swing motion & accents Stress the use of beats to steps and body to music
- Various timings Single, double and triple timing as well as Lindy timing to adjust to different music tempos
- Compare?contrast Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Foxtrot
Swing songs and artists include:
In the Mood – Glenn Miller
Rock Around the Clock – Bill Haley and the Comets
Start Me Up – The Rolling Stones
Jump Jive and Wail – Louis Prima or The Brian Setzer Orchestra
