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Some Swing Dancing Mysteries Decoded: Information for Folks New to Swing
Welcome! You¹ve arrived at a social dance, where the object is to have as much fun as you can stand.
Here are some hints and tips intended to acquaint you with what goes on at swing events, answer some
common questions, explain rules of dance etiquette, and encourage you to have a great time.
Part 1: What¹s going on here?
Either before or during a song, folks ask each other to dance. Usually, they¹ll dance together for one
song, thank each other, and then take a break or ask someone else to dance for the next song. In swing
dancing there is a lead role and a follow role. The lead provides impetus and direction for both partners¹
movement; the follow responds to the lead (both roles require an equal amount of skill). Partners often
improvise within the structure of a dance - for example, they might copy each other¹s movement, or show
off for each other a little, or experiment with new movement ideas inspired by the music. That¹s all part
of the fun. Usually, the dancers are not doing choreographed sequences; everything is spontaneous.
Often, the leader is a man and the follower is a woman, but during any given song you are likely to see a
woman leading a woman, a man following a man, a man following a woman, and partners that swap roles
throughout the song.
Different kinds of swing dance
Here is a brief description of those that are most commonly danced in Boston.
The Lindy Hop is the grandmom of all swing dances, originating in Harlem in the 1920¹s. It contains
many of the movement ideas seen in other swing dances. The Lindy Hop itself is considered a spirited,
energetic, and flirtatious dance, often involving fancy footwork and taking up more space on the dance
floor than other swing dances. It is danced at fast, slow, and moderate speeds. The basic step in Lindy
Hop (which can be either a swing-out or a whip) uses 8 counts of music, but there are also 6-count
lindy steps, 4-count, 12-count, and anything dancers feel like making up.
East Coast Swing is very much like Lindy Hop, without the 8-count basic step, and usually with less
footwork. It is almost always bouncy, whereas lindy hop can be bouncy or smooth. East Coast Swing
is most often danced to moderate or fast music. Most steps in East Coast Swing take up 6 counts of
music.
West Coast Swing is a very smooth dance that moves in a straight line. The follower moves back and
forth on a ³slot² (often doing spins and/ or fancy footwork) while the leader¹s position is more constant,
though he also often does footwork and styling. This dance was invented on the West Coast in the 70¹s,
when dancers wanted to make crowded ballrooms a little more orderly and less dangerous. West Coast
Swing is considered a sultry dance, often done to rhythm and blues, as well as to modern styles of music.
It is usually danced at slow to moderate speeds. The basic step, called the sugar push, takes 6 counts,
but many 8-count steps are used, as well as 10-count, 12-count, etc.
People dancing Collegiate Shag and Balboa look a little like cartoon dancers with their upper bodies
very close together and feet moving quickly beneath them. Shag is a bouncy dance, with a 6-count basic
step; Balboa is a smooth dance, with an 8-count basic step. Both are often done to very fast music,
although Balboa can be danced to music of any speed. Lindy hoppers have been known to throw in
some Shag and/ or Bal to spice up their lindy hop (or when they need a little rest during a very fast
song!).
If you are thinking of taking a class in one or more of these styles of dance......
Pick the one you like and go for it! If you have questions about which is which, just ask someone whose
dancing you like: ³What¹s that you were doing?² and see if he or she has any recommendations about
where to take class. East Coast Swing is often considered a laid-back, relatively easy style to start with,
but you can begin with anything. At many swing dance events, there is a flyer table at the front of the hall;
you¹ll be able to find the information you need.
Swing Dance Event ³Traditions² Glossary
Jam - People start clapping, everyone makes a big circle with a lot of space in the middle.
Regular Jam - One couple goes into the circle at a time. The couple dances for a phrase or two of
music, usually showing off and performing for the crowd, either improvisationally or with previously
agreed-upon moves. This is usually the only place where it¹s okay to do acrobatic moves, since there¹s
enough space and no one is likely to get kicked in the head. The point of a jam is to encourage those in
the middle and to get to watch people shine.
Birthday Jam - At the beginning of this jam, the the birthday person goes into the middle of the circle
with a partner (or with another birthday person). Other people from the edges of the circle cut in to
dance with the birthday person, so that he/ she has the wonderful experience of people waiting on line to
dance with him/ her. This kind of jam can also happen whenever the community wants to appreciate an
individual - if someone is moving away for example, or has just graduated, etc.
Snowball Jam - One couple begins in the middle. Then, each partner asks someone from the side to
dance. Each of the four now ask someone from the side to dance, etc., until the whole room is dancing.
Line Dances - Music starts, lots of people get in lines facing in one direction and all do the same
movements. (It¹s fine to just follow along with these dances. Some instructors teach them in classes.)
Shim Sham - This is an old Œ30¹s Broadway tap routine adapted for the social dance floor. It is done
facing in one direction and ends with people partnering up while an announcer calls ³Freeze!² and
³Dance!² at intervals. The Shim Sham is most commonly done to ³Stompin¹ at the Savoy,² ³Tuxedo
Junction,² and ³T¹Ain¹t Whatcha Do.²
Jitterbug Stroll - This dance was choreographed by world-renowned dancer Ryan Francois in the
Œ90¹s. It progresses in a square, with people facing the different walls of the room in order. It is done
to ³Woodchopper¹s Ball.²
Swing Stroll - Also choreographed by Ryan Francois, this dance is done to ³My Baby Just Cares For
Me.²
The Madison - This dance was featured in the movie Hairspray, and was invented in the Œ50¹s. It¹s
done to ³The Madison,² in which an announcer calls out all the moves that are to be done, except for the
basic step.
Mixer - A song begins; people find partners and dance. Every so often, an announcer tells the couples
to stop and change partners.
Steal - The DJ or MC announces, ³This will be a steal dance!² The music starts and people partner up
to dance. After that, anyone can ³steal² anyone else¹s partner. Sometimes four people get together and
make an exchange. Others prefer to sweep in and just steal away the next person they want to dance
with. Still others challenge themselves to steal with as much finesse and smoothness as possible, so that
the person getting stolen hardly notices the switch until he/ she is looking at a different partner. Steals are
usually done to long songs.
Part 2: Some basic rules of dance etiquette
1. Say yes! Whenever you are asked to dance, say yes, unless you are indisposed (on your way to the
bathroom, taking a break, etc.).
2. Don¹t teach/ ask to be taught. Some people study social dance; some don¹t. Social dancing
should be fun for all, and everyone should feel accepted for who he/ she is and not feel criticized or
burdened. Some swing events are billed as practice sessions; at these, teaching and requests for
feedback are appropriate.
3. Don¹t monopolize. Don¹t abuse the ³say yes² rule by asking one person to dance more than two or
three times in a night, unless this is a person you know well. If you feel you¹re being monopolized, it¹s
okay to say something like, ³I¹d really like to dance with a lot of people tonight/ make sure I get to all my
friends.²
4. Take care of yourself. If someone is hurting you physically or making you feel uncomfortable, ask
that person to stop as tactfully as you can.
5. Ask people to dance! Ask that great dancer up front. Ask that pretty lady standing over there.
Ask that guy you¹ve never seen before. Men ask, women ask. The swing community has a culture all
its own, just like any other group of enthusiasts: sports fans at an arena, opera goers at a theater, club
dancers on Lansdowne Street. You won¹t know what folks are like unless you are a little proactive.
Just like any other group, swing dancers are all different kinds of people: shy, outgoing, enthusiastic,
mellow, etc. Ask them to dance and get to know them.
Part 3: THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW WHEN YOU GO OUT SWING DANCING
by Christopher Lamont
Think happy thoughts. Smile. I'm ok, you're ok. This is a big love fest. Enjoy it!
Listen to the music. Don't worry about what all the other people are doing. Feel the music.
Ask someone to dance, anyone. Dancing is just a variation on saying hello and having a conversation.
We are all just here to connect with other people!
Ladies, this is not Victorian England. You can ask men to dance. Men love it when women ask them to
dance. It reminds men that you actually like to dance with them. Men will respect and enjoy your
initiative. And yes, you will meet more men if you ask them to dance.
Also, beginners, go ahead and ask one of those hot dancers to dance. It's OK! Let them know you are
a beginner if you like. Tell them how great their dancing is. They need the self-esteem boost. Other hot
dancers expect them to be good. They will be flattered by your fresh discovery of their talent. They will
also be grateful for the opportunity to dance with someone they don't have to work at impressing.
Don't keep apologizing for mistakes you think you are making or for your lack of dancing experience.
When you do that, you are telling your partner it is all about you rather than about the music and your
connection to them. Just let go of your preconceptions of ability. Do what you can to express the
music you are hearing and to express the connection you are hopefully feeling. That is enough!
Guys/Leaders, it's OK to make mistakes. You will make mistakes. You will never become the swing
stud you want to be unless you take some risks and trip over your feet now and then. Even when you
are a swing stud you will still make mistakes (but people will just think you are doing some really cool
improv moves).
Guys/Leaders, on that same note, you have a lot to think about out on the dance floor. You have to
think about what to do next, what you are doing now, if your partner is following what you are leading,
and where other dancers are on the dance floor. Oh yes and you are supposed to be smiling and
enjoying the temporary connection you have with your partner. I know it can feel overwhelming at first,
but when you do screw up, you have a damn good excuse, or several of them, for doing so.
Ladies/Followers, it's OK to make mistakes. You will make mistakes. You are doing everything the
leader is doing, but backwards (I don't recommend high heels). You have no idea what your leader
wants you to do next. You are used to being told to listen with your ears but now you have to listen with
your body. You have only a split second to figure out what the leader wants you to do, which can be
especially difficult because sometimes he hasn't made up his mind yet about what that will be. You have
to keep your frame firm but relaxed, anticipatory but responsive. Oh yes and you are supposed to be
smiling and enjoying the temporary connection you have with your partner. I know it can feel
overwhelming at first, but when you do screw up, you have a damn good excuse or several of them for
doing so.
Leaders, please read about some of the challenges followers face while dancing (see above). Followers,
please read about some of the challenges leaders face while dancing (see above). Admire and respect
your partner for being out dancing. They are cool. They have have a lot of stuff to think about and
remember AND they obviously have courage.
Leaders and Followers, please note that in swing dancing, like any partner dancing, there are no perfect
dancers. The only perfection you will find on the dance floor is the feeling of mutual connection you can
feel with someone else. The achievement of that state of bliss has more to do with the given attitudes of
the dance partners than with their experience or technical ability. This is not a contest to impress your
partner or someone else. This is an exchange between two people built around the interpretation of
music. Show how good a dancer (and person) you are by adapting to the limitations and abilities of
others. Challenge yourself to see how well you can work WITH your partner whoever they are. If you
convey displeasure or impatience with their difficulties they will probably avoid you in the future and you
will lose a potential dance partner in the future (or partners if they tell their friends). They may even give
up dancing because of your unkind words or attitude. Don't make their dance experience more daunting
than it already is. Be nice. Connect. You may make a friend.
Take breaks when you need to. Don't feel like you have to dance every dance. Enjoy watching other
dancers and learning from them. What Bostonians lack in driving ability they make up for in great
dancing ability. You'll see some really good ones out there. Don't be too impressed; they practice a lot
and they wonder if they are good enough. Try to see what they are feeling with their partners and what
they are feeling in the music. You can get there from here if you want.
Finally, don't get discouraged. All the mistakes you are making have been made by the best dancers you
have ever met. Don't worry if someone gives you a sour face or expresses displeasure, maybe they have
indigestion. Acknowledge. Move on. You WILL get better and it will get easier. Give dancing a
chance to touch you with its magic and then remember all this stuff when you know what that magic feels
like!
Now stop reading and ask someone to dance!
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