Swing Dancing
From Tractatus
An actor need a requisite disrespect for the material - Ted Danson paraphrasing Kelsey Grammer.
It is really tough to keep track of what I know how to do. This page records my notes. I got the idea from this page, but the more I learn the less I like that page. I need better terminology.
This page is in shocking need of a reformat, but because of the way I made the links.... moving it breaks it, so... For now here is the new page.
Contents |
[edit] Music
[edit] Style
[edit] ABCD
Always Be Continuing the Dance. Always. It is ok to stop, but start again. The way to not look like you are dancing is to stop.
Don't confuse stopping moving with stopping the dance. Freezing than restarting can feel great.
[edit] E is for Etiquette
I like this write up, especially because it is not stuffy: http://www.austinlindy.com/etiquette_stuff.htm
[edit] F is for Fun
The key element of a great dance is fun. Take joy from every movement. If you do somehting complex it masks the joy, so break it down, keep it simple.
[edit] Connection
After Kevin & Emily's workshops at Wicked Lindy... I realized just how much better my basics could be. This is so valuable that I think it is important that it go before even the simplest description of a step.
[edit] Look
The first thing to do is look at the follower. The second is to smile. This is the very most important dance move ever. Period.
Once you have done that, take a look at the follower. Is she tall, short, large, small, wide, or thin? Is there any clothing, hair or jewelry that you should look out for? Is she smiling back?
[edit] Stand
Stand facing the follower, face to face, at arms length. Move about one foot left so that your right foot can slide forward and not hit the follower's left foot. Your left foot should similarly be to the right of the follower's right foot. You should be looking over the follower's right shoulder.
Now, move straight forward, and place your right palm on the base of the follower's left shoulder-blade. The inside left arm should be against the side of the follower. Relax. enjoy being closer than you might be in a private conversation. She can tension the connection a little by rotating slightly into your hand.
Take the follower's right hand with your left. Your hand is in an L, palm facing right, fingers pointing right. The follower places her hand palm down, letting her fingers fall down gently against your palm
[edit] Weight Off
At this point, the contact should be negligible, and you should be standing upright, not slouching, facing the follower. The connection with your left hand should be similarly light. Take a moment to gently move your hand and see what the minimum amount of force is necessary for the follower to feel.
This position is closed, weight off.
[edit] Weight On
Change to weight on by moving your center backward. Simultaneously, move the partner's center backward by moving your right arm back. Her center should also move back.
Your center should move back, not your feet. everything else stays just where it is.
The key to this position is having some of your partner's weight, but not so much that she will move if you let go. Suddenly remove your hand, and she should stay pretty much where she is, but a little motion. If you do the same thing in weigh off, she should not move at all.
Go from weight on to weight off and back a few times.
You might notice that some followers don't want to sit back. If this is the case, you can encourage them to do it by using the friction of the inside of your left arm against her body. You can actually push her back.
[edit] Counter-balanced
Now, go to counter-balanced. Really shift your weight back, and allow the follower's weight to balance yours. You should feel pretty car apart. Stand up again, and notice that your feet, and centers are still close together, but your bodies seem farther apart.
Transition between the three positions. on-off-balanced.... When in balanced, tell your partner that you are going to let go. Then carefully let go. She will be forced to take a step to prevent herself from falling.
[edit] Changing weight
Changing weight is possible in each of the positions described above. The main purpose of a different position is to capture and release energy. A counter balanced position absorbs a lot of energy which can be released. When moving, the weight off is important to allow your partner to take an independent action.
[edit] Slow
Start by stepping slowly from one foot to the other. Keep your shoulders level, and motion to a minimum. the follower should be able to step in the same rhythm as you. It helps if she closes her eyes to prevent cheating. The leader must be careful to move his center, not the feet.
Expand on this by stepping in a circle.
[edit] Fast
Insert some faster steps. SLow slow fast fast slow slow fast fast. You are now emulating the six count of East coast swing.
Alternate slow steps with fast ones, switching feet. Don't be afraid to rock step with the 'wrong' foot. play around.
[edit] Triple
Do a triple step. Alternate Triples, fast, and slow. Do a cricle. Go through the swingout pattern. Step at random.
[edit] Syncopation
Throw in some syncopation. Do this by performing the fast-fast in one beat, and holding the next step for an extra beat. i.e. instead of 1 - 2 - 34 - 56, do 1 - & - 234 - 56.
When you lead a syncopated rock step you really need to be on the beat. With relatively fast music the follower might not make it to the extent of the lead. The resulting airspace will cause her to look like you are having a collective seizure. Keeping in mind the total connection can help to counter this. Your left hand will provide a faster connection, so stay connected and move it in sync with the syncopation. Also, if the follower places her left hand so that the thumb is on the inside of the bicep and the fingers on the outside, the right connection will also be faster. The combination helps a lot.
[edit] Double Rock Step
/Swing Sundaes#Double Rock Step
[edit] Backward
Do a rock step, but keep your weight on your right foot. Hitch the stepping foot. Do another rock step. You can repeat this a ton of times, and then throw in a basic. Fun!
[edit] Forward
Another fun variant is to take rock steps forward. You can totally alternate. Backward... then forward... then backward... The motion is rapid. Rock step Rock Step Rock step. You really need to be on the ball.
[edit] Positions
- Closed
- Open
- Buddy
- Handshake
- Both hands
- Crossed hands
- Hammerlock
- Tandem
- Tandem with leader in front
- Skater Position
[edit] Possibilities
This section used to be called Moves. But really most of these things are just options which can be blended together.
Every possibility has one thing in common. You begin every single step by looking at your partner and smiling. Like magic, it works much much better :)
[edit] Basics
- Smile
- Jockey Step
- Basic Step
- Triple Step
- Send out
- Bring in
- Inside turn
- Outside turn
- Underarm Turn
- Tuck Turn
- Cuddle
[edit] Simple
- Belt Pass
- Dip
- Hammerlock
- Free Turn, Side Pass
- Stutter Spin
- Free Spin
- Back switch
- Teapot Catch
- Elbow Catch
- Pop Turn
- Sugar Push
- Toss Across
- Barrel Roll
- Hand Switch
- Mast
- Go Around
- Pickup
- Flip Follow
[edit] Hijacks(Follower)
Hijacks occur when the follower decides to alter a led move, taking it over and turning it into something else. Surprising, and hopefully delightful.
[edit] Stealing the Lead
Stealing the lead is a fun technique. It is one thing when the follower just starts leading. Lame. It is quite another when the follower hijacks a step to put the leader into a follower position naturally within the dance.
/Swing Out New Hampshire#Steal_on_Toss_Across
[edit] Complex
To qualify as complex, a step or set up steps requires participation from the follower, or requires some complex movement.
[edit] Footwork
[edit] Styling
Styling refers to embellishments which do not effect the connection. You get to do them without causing distress to your partner.
[edit] Swingouts
[edit] Extras
These are embellishments which can be inserted.
[edit] Other Patterns
- Charleston
- Face to Face
- Rotating
- Move to Front
- Lean
- Tandem
- Turning
- Around the world
- Balboa
- Swivel Circle
- Tacky Annie
[edit] Fancy
[edit] Getting vertical
http://www.bobethomas.com/history/history_aerials.htm
[edit] Silly
OK, silly moves are distinguished. No... what is the opposite of distinguished? They are exactly like all the other moves in that they are fun, only more so.
[edit] Named Steps
[edit] Jazz
- Apple Jacks
- Suzie Q
- Voltas
- Squash the bug
- Sailor Shuffle
[edit] Classic
- Mashed Potato
- Twist
- Mess Around
- Mini Dip
[edit] How to
- Go from open to handshake
- Go from handshake to open
- Go from handshake to closed
- Get out of the cuddle
- Go from closed to open
- Go from handshake to back to front
- Go from back to front to side to side
- Go from handshake to crossed
- How do I switch hands?
[edit] Questions
- Why am I dancing in a circle?
- What should I do when somthing goes wrong?
- What is 'stealing a rock step'?
- How do I dance?
[edit] Reminders
- Don't rush.
- Remember to keep the feet moving in step.
- Dance to the follower's level.
[edit] Stuff I saw
[edit] Exercises
[edit] After Action Reports
[edit] Workshops
One time events,
- I saw this...
- Boston Tea Party
- Wicked Lindy
- Swing Out New Hampshire
- DanceManhattan
- Swinging New England
- Swing Remix
- Bard
- Jump for Joy
- Ryan and Jenny
[edit] Classes
Recurring classes.
[edit] Privates
Personalized Instruction.
[edit] Ideas
[edit] The Contract
[edit] Links
- Zoot Soot Swank
- Extensive history of what they teach
- Music recommendations
- Bill Halley from The Original Masterpiece 1. (We're Gonna Rock) Around The Clock, 2. Thirteen Women, 3. Shake, Rattle and Roll, 4. A . B. C. Boogie, 5. Happy Baby, 6. Dim Dim The Lights, 7. Birth Of The Boogie, 8. Mambo Rock, 9. Two Hound Dogs, 10. Razzle Dazzle, 11. R-O-C-K, 12. Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie, 13. The Saints Rock n' Roll, 14. Burn That Candle, 15. See You Later Alligator, 16. The Paper Boy, 17. Rudy's Rock, 18. Hot Dog Buddy, Buddy, 19. Rip It Up, 20. Don't Knock The Rock.
- You Tube