Learn East Coast Swing

Essential Skills to Learn East Coast Swing Dance

The Basic Step

"1-2-3" is the basic count of the "triple step," half of what's known as the "basic." Each count of a triple step has a complete shift of weight onto that foot (left-right-left for the start of the lead, right-left-right for the start of the follow). This is done twice, so the weight shift for the lead would go as follows:

Beat: One Two Three One Two Three Step: Left Right Left Right Left Right

This ends up with the lead on their right foot, and the left foot is free to do the other half of the basic step: the rock-back. This is another weight change (in other dance forms known as a ball-change because the dancer takes the weight on the ball of the rear foot).

While the weight is completely shifted, it is a fairly subtle movement. A common mistake for beginners is to put too much weight on the arms in a counter-balancing movement – but in the basic, at no time is the follow's weight supported by the lead's hands.

The timing for the rock-back is one full beat – taking up the same amount of time as one triple-step or one of the single steps (depending on which version of East Coast swing you are learning).

What About the Arms?

There are basically three positions for the arms when you learn East Coast swing dance:

1. Closed Position: The most like a regular dance frame, the lead's left hand holds the follow's right, while the lead's right hand is flat against the left shoulder blade of the follow. The follow's left hand rests midway up the bicep of the lead. Most of the communication comes through pressure on the clasped hands and on the shoulder blade.

1. Extended Position: This is a more open stance, but both hands are held, right-to-left and left-to-right, as the dancers move. Communication comes through hand pressure and through the upper torso of the lead.

1. Open or Break Position: This is used for many of the dance moves such as the underarm turn.

Selecting a Teacher

While some information can be learned from articles such as this, or even YouTube, there is no subsitute for live, hands-on demonstration. In order to learn East Coast Swing Dancing the dancer's body needs to feel the moves, let them sink into their muscle memory, and also learn the dynamics of working and reading a partner.

These skills can only be taught in person – articles, videos, and books are not a substitute. When selecting a dance studio and dance teacher, the main criteria should be:

1. Location – if the dance studio is too far away or inconvenient to get to, it will be too easy for the student to come up with excuses not to go when something else come up.
2. Hours – Many studios operate on a "second shift," making lessons and teachers available in the afternoon and evening to make things more convenient for students to arrive after work or while children are in school.
3. Teaching Method – There are many different styles of teaching, ranging from lesson-to-lesson by independent studios to complete studio packages from companies such as Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios. The student should take the time to find out which method most suits their style of learning.
4. Teacher – While it might seem that the gender of the teacher would be important, in reality it isn't – most swing dance instructors can teach both lead and follow parts. However, styles of teaching vary even within the studio. A student might respond better to a demanding, competitive style of teaching, or to a gentler, supportive method. Above all, it is important that the teacher and student have chemistry that will enable them to work together for months or years of learning East Coast swing.

The benefits gained when you learn East Coast swing dance go beyond fitness, coordination, and other physical characteristics. They go beyond confidence and social skills. The primary benefit is simply this – it's fun!