This article lists many of the key Charleston moves.
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2 Side by Side (Closed) 3 Face to Face (Closed) 4 Tandem 5 Solo or Line 6 See Also 7 To Do |
A common version of the man's basic step is as follows:
Many variations on this footwork are commonly seen, particularly in the size of the steps and height of the kicks. Charleston is danced by some in a very understated, minimalistic style, and by others very energetically.
Among the numerous variations in style, the 1st, 4th, 5th and 8th steps are the most consistent. Counts 5, 6, 7 and 8 simply transfer the right foot from the front to the back, and thus provide lots of room for variation. For instance:
Lead's Footwork:
Lead's Footwork:
In this form, the follow usually mirrors the lead.
Turning:
Kick throughs: (kick variations)
hand to hand:
hand to hand, free spin: Both lead and follow free spin, usually holding hands up.
Scootch: Rock on left, step on right, hop on right, scootch and stand. The scootch means go low and stand up in a smooth motion, which can take 2 or 4 counts. (To Basic?)
The follow usually does the opposite of the lead. When the lead steps forward with his right foot, the follow steps backwards with her left foot.
Basic:
Slide Back:
Turn:
Yo Yo: Move from side-by-side to face-to-face and back.
Double Kicks: Two kicks forward, two kicks backward.
The lead and follow face the same direction, one directly in front of the other.
The follow matches the lead's footwork.
Basic:
Girl Spin:
Guy Spin:
Both Spin:
Guy Move to Front: (overhead or free spin)
Girl Move to Front: (overhead or free spin)
Side to Side: Kick through leg work
Barrel Roll:
Half Barrel Roll: (changes direction)
Travelling: (hops) turning
Push Away: Rock, step (push), kick left (turn), step left (face lead), kick right (pull), knee right (turn), kick back right, step right.
To Side by Side and Back:
To Side by Side and Exit: Then Suzy Q. See Basic (dance move) for other moves to exit into.
Russian: (See Aerial (dance move))
Closed to Tandem: (tuck throw out, pull back) (rock step, tuck, turn (throw out + change hands), rock step (pull), step, step (sync in tandem))
Tandem to Open: (free spin)
Imitation: (See Basic (dance move))
Sliding Doors: This is Tandem Charleston kick throughs, except that they kick in alternate directions, and change direction, because the lead pushes follow's hip.
Yo Yo: Write something.
Basic:
Traveling:
Turning:
with slide:
Scare crow:
Foot spin: Circle Foot
Knees:
Circling Variation: Rock, step, knee jump (arms up) and land, land, step back right, slide left, step, step.
Other charleston thingy:
Dance - Swing - Lindy hop - Charleston - East coast swing - West coast swing
Dance move
- Basic
- Side pass
- Swing out
- Circle
- Groucho
- Skip up
- Aerial
- JazzBasic Step
The follower's part when dancing with a partner is the same as the lead's, except that she moves the opposite foot (but in the same direction - NOT the natural opposite as in Waltz where she moves the opposite foot in the opposite direction). IE., she begins by stepping back on her right foot. When dancing tandem style with a partner and in other situations, however, the lady does exactly the same footwork as the man.Variations
Savoy Kicks Style
Hip Hop Style
Side by Side (Closed)
Face to Face (Closed)
Tandem
Solo or Line
See Also