The Jitterbug is a fun and easy variation of Swing dancing if you are just learning how to dance. It is fun for all ages and is a great way to relieve stress. In the next couple paragraphs we will cover some of the dance steps for the Jitterbug just to give you an idea of what it is like.

The Jitterbug can be danced in either an open or closed dance position. An open dance position is where you are primarily connected to the other dancer at the hands. The closed dance position is where you hold your partner’s hand in one hand and have your other hand around their shoulder blade or shoulder. This depends on if you are the leader (usually male) or follower (usually female).

Surely you have heard of dance steps referred to as slow and quick steps. In the Jitterbug the steps are as follows: slow, slow, quick, quick. The first step uses two beats of the music and has men stepping with the left foot and women stepping with their right foot. This first move is going to be done with your feet about shoulder width apart and you will be stepping onto that first foot in place. The second step will also be in place, men with their right and women with their left. This step will also take two beats to the music. The third step is where it gets fun. Men are going to take their left foot and step backwards, the placement should almost be in line with the back of their right heel. Women will do the same with the right foot and place it in back of their left heel. It does not have to be touching the other foot, but place it comfortably behind the other foot. The final basic step is to step in place with the right foot, for men, and left foot, for women. Both of the last two steps, the step back and the step in place, take up one beat of music each, so it is rather quick.

Those are the four basic steps that make up the Jitterbug basic. They are going to be the foundation of your dance and will repeat often. Other moves will be added in, but these four are the basics. After you have completed all four steps, when you go to repeat your first step again you will have to move the left foot (men) or right foot (women) back under you from the rock step to the position where your feet are about shoulder width apart.

This is merely the beginning of the Jitterbug.  If you would like to learn all of the tricks, spins, and dips, you will need to take a  Swing dance class. After all that is what makes the dance really fun! Learn about Jitterbug Swing dancing with private lessons at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. The fun of Swing dancing is just about to begin!