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Swing Dance Variations

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What is Swing dancing and how many kinds of Swing dancing are there? Well…here they are!
  • Lindy Hop
  • Balboa
  • Collegiate Shag
  • St. Louis Shag
  • Jitterbug
  • Lindy Charleston
  • Eastern Swing
  • East Coast Swing
  • West Coast Swing
  • Western Swing
  • Boogie-woogie
  • Carolina Shag
  • Imperial Swing
  • Jive
  • Skip Jive
  • Modern Jive
  • Rock and Roll
  • Acrobatic Rock’n’Roll
  • Washington Hand Dancing
  • Push and Whip
  • Modern Swing
  • Mo-cathy or silly swing

After condensing all of these Swing dance variations, these are the ones that can be used most socially:

  • Lindy Hop
  • Balboa
  • Shag
  • East Coast Swing
  • West Coast Swing
About these dances:
Lindy Hop, the original swing, emerged in the 20’s to 30’s. It was followed Balboa and Shag-two dances that are also in the Lindy Hop family.
East Coast Swing, a simplified version of Lindy Hop and comes in triple, double, and single-time varieties. Single time is commonly referred to as Jitterbug, although the term “Jitterbug” originally referred to anyone who danced Swing.
West Coast is a more modern version of Lindy Hop with a different twist on the style. Originally, Lindy Hop dancers looked down on West Coast dancers, or “Westies” as they called them, and vice-versa. Now, dancers tend to appreciate each other’s styles a bit more.
So what is Swing? Swing is an always evolving and changing form of dance with lots of fun turns and exciting music to match. New versions of old dances are inevitable and the rabbit hole of Swing dancing goes as deep as you want it to.
Our recommendation? We recommend starting with either Jitterbug or West Coast Swing in private dance lessons for the fastest way to becoming a great Swing dancer. This way you can dance swing to a variety of music and have fun doing it.

History of Swing Dancing

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learn to swing dance mesa azVarious forms of swing dancing emerged from the 1920’s through the 1950’s in African American communitites with the evolution of Jazz music. Charleston and Lindy Hop are two key Swing dances that came from Harlem, New York in the 1920’s. By mixing African cultural dance, various ballroom dances, tap, creativity and the jazz music of the day, Swing dancing began to grow! At the time, American Society of Teachers and Dancing as well as the Dance Teachers Business Association believed Lindy Hop to be a fad that would not last.

Little did they know that Swing dancers would develop more styles including Shag, Balboa, West Coast Swing and Jive, to name a few. In the 1930’s, a Swing dance variation named the”Jitterbug” was created when a band leader compared the dancers to jitterbugs bouncing on the floor. There was even a song introduced called the “Jitter Bug” in their honor.

By the late 1930’s Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Jitterbug were sweeping the United States. However, dance schools did not formally recognize, document or begin teaching them until the early 1940’s when they realized it could no longer be ignored. They decided to “refine” and standardize Lindy Hop for easier instruction at dance schools, where we get what is now known as East Coast Swing.

A smoother style of Lindy Hop called “Smooth Lindy” was soon created in California by Dean Colllins. Mr. Collins, who was originally from Harlem, NY, began to dance a more fluid and slower swing which caught on very quickly on the West Coast. The dance took on a slotted motion rather than having a circular look to it. The dance was soon re-named the “West Coast Swing”, which is the official state dance of California to this day.

Swing dancing has developed as a mainstay in American dance culture throughout the years. The dance known simply as the “Swing” has managed to remain a staple dance attracting young and old alike.

Famous original Swing dancers included: “Shorty George” Snowden, Frankie Manning and Dean Collins.

YOU can learn how to dance Swing at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ. We offer the most popular social Swing dances including East Coast Swing, Jitterbug and West Coast Swing. You will find yourself using these dances everywhere in Arizona from Country bars to weddings and other social dance events. It is popular amongst all ages as a FUN and PLAYFUL dance with many looks and styles. Express yourself on the dance floor in the Swing!