Swing Dance
Learn To Swing Dance
Are you ready to be cool? If so, the Swing is a “must learn” dance. You will love our Swing dance classes.
The history of swing dates back to the 1920’s and recently has enjoyed resurgence. Even people with two left feet have been able to master the basics of this improvisational dance. Swing dancing is wonderful exercise because it is set to up-tempo music, and therefore, keeps moving rather quickly. Learn the basic swing step and you will feel comfortable dancing with anyone from a beginner, to an expert!
Swing Dance Instruction
- East Coast Single-time
- East Coast Triple-time
Swing Dance Styling Instruction
There are some basic styling points that should be mentioned. The Swing is a fast, exuberant dance, so you must maintain control or you’ll wind up sprawled out on the dance floor! To maintain balance, a firm hand grip is essential.
In Two-Hand Position, the man extends his arms forward with palms up. The woman then places her hands palms down in her partner’s hands. Think of your fingers as a hook. By cupping in with your fingers, a firm hold can be achieved and adequate tension and control will be maintained. In addition to a firm hand grip, it is essential that the forearm is held firmly for better body communication between the dancers.
Remember, the Swing is fast and lively. Think of your arms as rudders. They must be firm in order to know which way to go. If you have floppy arms, you won’t be able to respond to your partner’s lead quickly. Don’t be flustered if you don’t “get it” the first time. Read through and practice. The “feel” of the rhythm will come and you’ll be swinging before you know it.
Master The Back Rock
You will come across terms like “back rock” and “triple step” during the Swing. A back rock will either follow a step, a step-touch or a triple step. The man, who always begins his sequence on the LF (left foot), will always rock back on the LF as well. The woman will begin and rock back on the RF (right foot).
