Swing

Swing, like Salsa, has many different forms. It developed from a blend of several popular dances – the Lindy, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Jitterbug, etc. – that arose from African-American communities during the heydays of Jazz, Swing and Jump Blues music.

Through the years, the dances have been “tamed down” by dance studios, making them easier to learn for the general public. As a result, we have Ballroom East Coast Swing and Ballroom West Coast Swing. Regional and local styles have cropped up across the country.

Ballroom West Coast Swing: A style of Swing popular in the ballroom dance school organizations and different from the style performed in the California nightclubs and Swing dance clubs.

Cajun Swing: A Louisiana bayou style of Lindy danced to Cajun music.

Carolina Shag: A style of Swing popular in the Carolinas emphasizing the leader's nimble feet.

Country-Western Swing: A style of Jitterbug popularized during the 1980s and danced to Country and Western music.

DC Hand Dancing: A Washington, D.C. blend of Lindy and Swing.

East Coast Swing: A six-count style of Lindy popular in the ballroom dance school organizations. The basic step is triple-step, triple-step, rock step (also known as Triple-Step Swing or Jitterbug); often seen danced to early rock n’ roll.

Four-Count Swing (Four-Count Hustle): The basic step is forward, back, together, forward. Use the same steps and figures as the three-count Hustle, but step with each beat of the music: 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4. Excellent for fast Disco, “Techno-Beat” and Merengue music.

Imperial Swing: a style of Swing popular in St. Louis, Missouri.

Jitterbug or Triple-step Swing: The basic pattern is triple-step, triple-step, rock step (repeat). This is a versatile dance, because it can be danced to Swing, Blues, or Disco beats in venues from nightclubs to wedding receptions and ballroom events.

Jive: the international style version of the Jitterbug, danced competitively in the U.S. and all over the world.

Lindy: A smoother-looking dance style than Jive.

Pony Swing: A country and western style of Cajun Swing.

Push: A style of Swing popular in Dallas, Texas, emphasizing moves that spinning the follower between dance positions with a rock rhythm break.

Savoy Swing: A style of Swing popular in the New York Savoy Ballroom in the 30's and 40's originally danced to Swing music. The Savoy style of Swing is a very fast, jumpy, casual-looking style of dancing.

Supreme Swing: A style of Swing popular in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

West Coast Swing: This dance consists of six- and eight-count patterns danced in a slot. Voted the California State Dance in 1989.

Whip: A style of Swing popular in Houston, Texas, emphasizing moves spinning the follower between dance positions with a wave rhythm break.