Swing (dance)

Swing is a group of related street dances, that evolved from Lindy Hop. Swing is a partner dance, where the couple consists of a lead and follow, who share a connection.

Forms of Swing

The three main dance forms of swing are Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, and East Coast Swing. However, many related dance forms exist, including the following.

• Lindy Hop evolved in the late 1920s and early 1930s as the original swing dance. Almost anything goes.
• West Coast Swing was developed in the 1930s and 1940s as a stylistic variation. Follows stay in a slot, which reduces their ability to move left and right, but improves their ability to spin left and right. West Coast Swing is danced with blues and rock and roll music.
• East Coast Swing is a simpler 6-count variation. Also known as Triple-Step Swing, 6-Count Swing, Single-Step Swing, Rock-a-billy, or Jitterbug. East coast swing has very simple structure and footwork along with basic moves and styling.
• Country Swing, also called Western Swing or Country/Western Swing (C/W Swing) is a form with a distinct culture. It resembles East Coast Swing, but adds variations from other country dances. It is danced to country and western music.
• Push and Whip are Texas forms of swing dance.
• Charleston This is a classic dance that predates Lindy Hop, and is part of Lindy Hop.
• Balboa This is simpler, and good for fast music.
• Collegiate Shag This is simpler and good for fast music.
• Carolina Shag
• St. Louis Shag
• Boogie Woogie
• Ballroom Swing is a part of American style Ballroom dancing. This form (most often the same as or similar to East Coats Swing) has been adopted by Ballroom dancers. Street swing and Ballroom Swing are very different. Ballroom Swing is danced in competition and is done strictly in patterns (a series of interlocking moves). Street Swing is danced in many different styles and places with thousands of differences. It is very open for interpretation.
• Jive is a dance of International Style Ballroom dancing. It diverged from Swing still further.

Music

Originally, swing was danced to swing music, which is a kind of jazz. Some of the swing jazz great performers are Count Basie, Woody Herman, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Many dance forms fit their own music. West Coast swing is usually danced to blues or rock and roll. Country swing is usually danced to country and western music. Charleston is usually danced to Ragtime music.

Most dances fit many kinds of music. For example today, Lindy Hoppers dance to Ragtime, Swing, Bop, Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll, Disco, and Hip Hop.

Swing music had a revival in the late 1990s thanks to musician Brian Setzer, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the movie Swingers, and a number of other bands.