Difference Between Ballroom Dance, Lindy Hop, and Swing Dance? ?
March 3, 2010 by Ballroom Dance Lover
Filed under Ballroom Dance Steps
What is the difference in their style, step count, etc.?
Also I took a swing lesson (east coast) the other day and they kept saying it was based on a “6 count step” but when you move you feet right, left, rock-step, repeat, it only seems like 3 counts…?
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Ballroom Dances are formalized social partner dances. This includes dances like Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, etc.
East Coast Swing is a formal Ballroom Dance, but it’s not the original form of swing dancing. Lindy Hop is the original and is NOT considered a formal Ballroom Dance.
Regarding the “6 count step”, the steps you do right and left are actually 2 counts. So you were doing, “Slow, Slow, Rock, Step” or “(1,2), (3,4), 5, 6″ in time with the music. This is Single Step East Coast Swing, and it’s the easiest form of swing dancing, but you should really find an instructor that will teach you Triple-Step East Coast Swing. The triple step is a little harder, but it’s syncopated, which is meant to coincide with a swing rhythm.
Here’s how to dance it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuCqgF90HFs
You’ll want to learn some basic moves like Inside Turn, Outside Turn, Cuddle or Sweetheart, etc.
After you’ve mastered the basics of East Coast Swing, then you’ll be able to move on to Lindy Hop which is a lot more difficult. It’s an 8 count dance that can have different variations. The dance developed out of Partner Charleston in the 1920s in Harlem, and is the granddaddy of all forms of swing dancing.
Here’s how to dance it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVJu2q1cgcg
n addition you should learn other swing type dances like Charleston, Balboa and Collegiate Shag.
If you are looking to get into lindy hop, you need to find your local swing dance scene! Try searching you City/State on this website:
http://www.thelindyhop.com
There are a few free instructional videos on YouTube and Google Video you can search for, but I find the best online resource is:
http://www.idance.net
They have some free lessons, but most you have to pay for . . . don’t worry, it’s only a $1 per video, so that’s pretty cheap! (Try searching “idance” on youtube and googlevideo to see free lessons they’ve posted.)
You can also find out what’s going on in the world of swing dancing, by visiting the National Swing Forum at:
http://www.yehoodi.com
If you want a little inspiration about swing dancing, check out this video (It’s from a professional Lindy Hop competition):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myJj0mNNe1Y