The Eastern Swing:
The Eastern Swing, originally called the Lindy Hop, was born in the southern United States , and represents the most famous American folk dance. The best forms of Swing include Charleston , Black Bottom, Shag, and Lindy Hop. In the early 40s, these forms consolidated into what was called the Lindy.
The Lindy was first danced as a modified Box Step, with a slight shuffling movement. The shuffling movement of the original Lindy can by linked to today's single rhythm in Swing. As the shuffling, or singly rhythm progressed, it evolved into both the Double and Triple Lindy, and today all three forms the basic of good Swing Dancing. About 50-60 years ago, the Swing was danced in the Harlem section of New York City … at a time when such band greats as Chick Webb, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman were holding sway. It was in Harlem where the Swing took on most of today's popular steps and styling.
For many years, the wilder forms of the Swing have been frowned upon in social atmospheres because the acrobatics involved limited the number of people who could dance at one time. It is possible, however, to do a fine swing in a relatively small area, providing the dancers are better than average and have an assortment of dance breaks. There is no question that the dance is here to stay. In all parts of the country you will find dancers adding their own interpretations and changes of style. All dances, in order to survive, must be built up from a firm basic movement so that ad-libbing and complete freedom of expression can be interpreted into the dance. The Swing has these attributes.
Swing music is written in 4/4 time and should be played at a tempo of 36-45 measures per minute. The Swing is danced in a spot rather than moving around the room and free, rhythmic interpretation using single, double, and triple rhythms is characteristic of the dance. Relaxed, shuffling movements and the use of the counter sway highlight the style of the dance.
Your Swing lesson begins by the two dance partners facing each other in dance position. The man's right hand is placed on the lady's back just below the shoulder blade with his right elbow held up and away from the body. His left arm is held down with the palm up and the fingers turned in. The lady then places her left hand on the man's right shoulder and allows her arm to lightly rest along the man's right arm. Her right hand is placed palm down in the man's left. If you are practicing alone, extend your arms out in front of you with your elbows bent as if in dance position.
| Man's steps: | Woman's steps: |
 |
 |