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Let’s Swing!

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You have been thinking about learning to Swing dance, but it seems that something always comes up. You never seem to have the time, or maybe you’re just not sure how to get started. In addition, there are so many styles of Swing dances that you just aren’t sure which dance you would like to learn.  To get started with Swing dance lessons, we recommend that you give the Jitterbug a try.  This is a ballroom Swing dance that is very versatile and which many people enjoy.

When Swing dancing, you just can’t help smiling and having a great time! With over 24 variations of the Swing to choose from, it can be confusing as to which style is right for you. We suggest beginning with East Coast/Jitterbug Swing dance lessons for several reasons. First, you can dance the Jitterbug Swing to Rock and Roll, Country and Big Band music. How cool is that! Also, it’s the easiest of all of the Swing dance variations because it has fewer steps when compared to other styles.

 

Swing dancing is exciting, energetic, and because there are so many Swing dance tempos and styles, it is used everywhere from weddings to bars. The rhythm of the dance, as mentioned above, lends itself well to a large number of musical styles from Jazz to Big Band, Country, Blues, Rock and Roll and oldies, making Swing a must-have dance! While each style has its own features, in general it is the ideal dance for any social occasion. Swing dancing is quite popular and can encourage even non-dancers to tap their feet and move to the music.

 

Whether you learn to Jitterbug, Jive, West Coast or Lindy Hop, they all fall under the general term of Swing dancing. Swing is a fun-loving dance that makes people happy! It is truly an American dance that has world-wide appeal. Swing dancing originated in the 1920’s with Jazz and Swing bands. At the time, was considered rebellious. Every generation has produced a new revival in Swing of some kind because it is so much fun! Originally used as an outlet for pent-up energy, this dance has continued to draw enthusiasts from around the world. If you enjoy dancing then Swing dancing is sure to lift your spirits.

These are just a few of the variations of Swing:

 

Single Time Swing/Jitterbug – is best suited for music like Big Band, Country, and Rock and Roll. The footwork is very simple. It’s a lot like learning to drive an automatic instead of a stick shift because once you get moving, it’s smooth sailing. This dance style is nothing but fun, fun, fun!

 

Triple Time Swing – works well with Jazz, Rock and Pop music and is very popular, especially in ballroom dance studios. Modern music is much slower than the old Big Band tunes so this variation is much more commonly taught in general. The style is very free and easy.

 

Lindy Hop Swing – is a popular version of Swing dancing because of the fun kicks and lifts associated with it. Lindy can also be cool and sophisticated. The most important aspect of it is that you enjoy it! 

West Coast Swing – goes well with Jazz, Rock, Country and even Hip Hop music. It is often danced to more sultry music and tends to have a jazzier, sexier feel than the East Coast Swing and this is reflected in the styling.

 

Are you ready to get Swinging? Dance FX Studios, near Tempe and Chandler, is located in Mesa. We are here to get you going on this new venture with private ballroom dance lessons and prepare you to be able to dance anywhere for any occasion. Dance FX Studios We have helped thousands of students become proficient dancers in Swing dancing and beyond. You can begin with Swing dance lessons for yourself or you and a partner with our Introductory Special of only $40! This one hour private Swing dance lesson is a great way to check out our studio and to be introduced to our exclusive method of teaching. One hour is all it takes to show you how easy and exciting learning to dance can be for anyone! From there, we will show you fun turns and twists to keep you on the dance floor all night long! What are you waiting for? It’s time to dance!


Three Unique Styles of Swing Dancing

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Did you know that there are 24 variations of Swing dancing? It’s true! Most of the Swing dances used today spawned from Lindy Hop, the “original” Swing dance from the 1920’s, which gained popularity in the 1920’s in Harlem, New York. Let’s explore just three of the many styles of Swing dances that are popular social dances today…

1. West Coast Swing: West Coast Swing is a versatile, slower (and quite sultry) version of the Swing that can be danced to many genres of music from Country to Hip Hop. West Coast Swing dancing is done on a “slot”, like a diving board, that gives it a more linear look as compared to its predecessor, the Lindy Hop, which is more circular. We at Dance FX Studios like to call the West Coast Swing the “adults” version of the Swing because it can be very sexy with the right styling and music. West coast Swing also has a bit of Latin flavor in the dance as there is a swag or a bit of hip shaking that makes the dance even more sassy. For a dance that is a fun and exciting challenge, but well worth it, give West Coast Swing dance lessons a try. You won’t be disappointed with the end result after knowing this commonly used dance. As mentioned earlier, you will be able to have fun with the West Coast Swing everywhere from a Country bar to a social dance event.

2. East Coast Swing: Like the Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing dancing is circular, taking up less space and providing a hybrid of West Coast Swing and Lindy Hop. East Coast Swing is a medium to fast tempo version of the Swing that has lots of turns, side by side opportunities and other playful variations, making it another useful and versatile option for any social dancer. An example of East Coast Swing music would be “Only the Good Die Young” by Billy Joel. Take a listen to this song to gain a better understanding of the general tempo of the music that accompanies East Coast Swing as a dance. East Coast Swing can also be danced to everything from Country to Rock and Roll and Big Band music, like the West Coast Swing.

3. Country Swing: Until very recently, and depending on where you live, Country Swing has not been considered as a separate and unique dance on its own within the Swing dance family. At a Country Western dance venue, you may see several variations of what they call “Country Swing”, which seems to be more like a whole lot of yanking and throwing of the lady while the man stands in one spot on the dance floor. Since the music is quite fast, it is common to see the guy flinging her around like a rag doll at the Country bars. Unfortunately, there seems to be no official timing or rhythm that these dancers use to stay in-beat with the music. “If the song is fast, toss her around” appears to be the trend. Thank goodness Dance FX Studios is here in the Phoenix metro area to show you how you can execute this exciting dance ON TIME with the music and in a way that keeps her arms in their sockets. Country Swing is genre-specific and great fun- when you handle your partner with care.

Come explore the diversity of the Swing with private Swing dance lessons at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. Sample out our teaching style and what we have to offer in our introductory offer for just $40. See how to become a confident social dancer in no time with private Swing couples or singles dance lessons at Dance FX Studios!

For a great supplement to your private Swing lessons, join in our Swing dance classes on Monday evenings at 7pm! They are a great way to learn to Swing dance for a nominal fee and with a group of other people.

Dance FX Studios is located just minutes from Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert in Phoenix, AZ. Visit our website today for more information on what makes us a one-of-a-kind ballroom dance studio in Arizona.