Swing Dancing.

Ok, this is the page everyone has been waiting for. The Swing Dancing page. Below are the three classifications that I (please note that this is only my opinion) think exist, though variations of any combination of dances below or unlisted are included in what is call Swing Dancing. The three I focus on are East Coast, West Coast, and Lindy Hop.

East Coast Swing

East Coast Swing is the kind of dance that everyone usually thinks about when talking about swing dancing. I also think that this is the dance that everyone who goes to any dance club (even ones that only teach west coast) expect to be taught...WRONG. Always remember, when taking lessons, know what you are learing. Ok, thats niehter here nor there, just a little tid bit. :) Back to what I was saying, East Coast is also the kind of dance featured on the Gap comercial. Here is some background information on East Coast Swing.

East Coast Swing History Lesson:

Origin: Geographically, as the name hints, it started on the East Coast, most likely in the same place where the Swing Era began, Harlem, NYC, NY. As far as how the dance was created, it is hard to say just one dance that developed into this kind of swing. It really was very much a compliation dance which included the foxtrot, the Charleston, the shag, and a few off the wall ideas like peckin' and truckin'.

What Kind of Music Do I Dance This Style To: Usually, you want a up beat song with lots going on. Now, I have witnessed people east coast dancing to slow songs, I just am not that talanted yet. For a slower song, I would suggest West Coast Swing. Some songs for east coast include Sing Sing Sing (With a Swing), Zoot Suit Riot, or any fast paced, upbeat song.

How Do I Tell The Difference Between East Coast Swing and The Other Swing Styles: One dead give away factor is that this dance is a turning round dance (meaning that the couple moves in a circle kinda like a clock while dancing). There are other factors, but the turning round will be your dead give away. Note: The Lindy Hop is the closest to East Coast Swing as you get, and I will give you an idea how to distinguish between them later.

Number Of Year and/or Months I have Danced This Style: I have danced this style, or some version of it, for near one year, but just barely.

West Coast Swing

West Coast is a much less active dance that East Coast, and is also not a popular. There are, however, many places that teach it, with or with out the popularity in the dance scenes.

West Coast Swing History Lesson:

Origin: This dance basically shows people exactly what popularity can do to a dance. When East Coast swing moved to the West Coast, it was simply too popular. Therefor, the clubs where bands where going to play would rope off the floor in to "slots", or smaller areas that were rectangle shaped, for the people to dance in. They could fit more slotted couples on a regular floor than they could fit if they let them do east coast. So, with the hope to please everyone, east coast swing was squished into a slot, thus you have west coast swing.

What Kind of Music Do I Dance This Style To: I like a slower song, maybe Glen Miller, though I have never tried him. The song, what ever is choosen, must be slow enough to get a six count step in with out moving at the speed of sound.

How Do I Tell The Difference Between West Coast Swing and The Other Swing Styles: Like I stated earlier, west coast swing is a slot dance, and so is recognizeable by the non-turning round dance motiff, and the movement up and down an invisible rectangle slot.

Number Of Year and/or Months I have Danced This Style: Just under 6 months, but I have not danced it recentally.

The Lindy Hop

Like East Coast Swing, it started most likely in Harlem, but its name is the most interesting story. The day that Charles Lindburge crossed the Atlantic Ocean and landed in Paris, a man was sceen dancing in Harlem. This was a new style of dance, and when asked what it was, he replied "The Lindy Hop" and it was assumed to be named such for Lucky Lindy's hop over the ocean. Whether or not this is true, I have no clue. Still, it sounds reasonable to me.

The Lindy Hop History Lesson:

Origin: Like I said above, it probally started in Harlem, but its roots go back much later than the Swing Era and even before Jazz. It started in Africa with the voodoo dances of the Africian tribes, and was brought to America through slavery. In the 1930s and 1940s, the Swing music was the closest thing to the voodoo tribe music that there was, in that it was pure emotion and energy, so the dorminate vibes were renewed to become the Lindy Hop. If you have ever sceen a video of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, a black Lindy Hopping troupe that help popularize both Swing music and the Lindy Hop in the early 1930s, you can see its roots very plainly. NOTE: If I offended anyone in any way by connecting the Lindy Roots to Africans, please inform me and I will discuss it with you to maybe work out a better wording system. I wont, however, say that they were not connected because all research I have done supports as well as states the connection.

What Kind of Music Do I Dance This Style To: Not sure, because I have not become familiar with this style yet. I think, however, that it is pretty fast and upbeat.

How Do I Tell The Difference Between West Coast Swing and The Other Swing Styles: From what I understand of the Lindy Hop, it is alot less couple orientated, and has alot of free movement with out the couple touching. If I am wrong, and you read this and have a better explanation, please email it to me.

Number Of Year and/or Months I have Danced This Style: I have not learned this style yet, but hope to take lessons soon.

That's all I have for now, sorry to say. Come back soon and I will have more. Last Update: June 13, 1999

Return to my home here.