Get to Know East Coast Swing Dancing
Are you on the East Coast? If so, did you know there is a style of swing dancing named for your geographic region? East Coast swing dancing is an updated form of the original dance moves which originated in the Harlem clubs to jazz music. East Coast swing is quite similar to Eastern Swing which got its inspiration from dances like the Shag and Foxtrot. It is a partner style of dance, which means it takes two. Beat patterns are very important to swing dance, with East Coast Swing being centered around both six count and eight count beats.
This form of swing was created to provide specifications for competitions and judges. Because of this, there is a right and wrong way to do things. The developers of the East Coast form of swing had this goal in mind when they created this dance from the foundation of Eastern and Savoy swing. Savoy swing is the name for the dancing which took place in the Savoy Ballroom, which opened in 1926 and served as a home for some of New York’s most talented dancers and jazz musicians.
When learning this type of swing dancing, it is important to understand the steps. The basic steps are one of two variations. The first is rock, step, step, step and the second is step, step, rock, step. Even though the formation is different the rock step will always be taken on either the first or third beat. There are other forms of steps like kick steps and triple steps that can be taken as well. Trying to picture the steps in your mind is quite pointless, as it is important to see the dance being done before you will understand how to do it.
One of the best video references is called, quite fittingly, The Ultimate East Coast Swing Reference Video. In addition to this video, you can find plenty more resources about East Coast swing dancing right on your computer. These days, there are web sites devoted to East Coast swing and even online dance classes which give you a good introduction to this form of dance. To get the best experience, it’s a good idea to grab a partner and sign up for a class in your area. No matter how many times you see the moves being done, you won’t learn them until you get out on the dance floor and put your knowledge into practice!
