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East Coast Swing is a dance, derived from the Lindy Hop by literally removing a couple of steps. The basic is triple step, triple step, and a rock step. East Coast Swing (6 count) is intermixable with all forms of swing dancing, though primarily with Lindy Hop. Some moves in Lindy are 6 count moves, and one could then learn other 6 count moves to go along with until one is back on the 8 count beat.1 Steps
- Basic Closed: In closed position, simply remain in the same position while doing footwork.
- Basic Open: In open position, remain in the same position while doing footwork.
- She Goes: In open position, leader raises left hand and follower spins under. (Left Inside Turn)
- He Goes: In open position, leader raises left hand and leader spins under. (Leader Left Outside Turn)
- She Goes, He Goes: In open position, leader raises left hand and follower spins under, then leader spins under. (Left Inside Turn followed by Leader Left Outside Turn)
- Tuck Turn: The leader gives a small nudge and raises left hand, and the follower goes under. (Left Outside Turn)
- Throw Out: In closed position, leader gives small nudge, and follower goes to open position.
- Return to Close: In open position, the leader gives a small pull and the follower comes into closed position.
- Pretzel: Same step as She Goes, except the leader does not let go of the right hand. The leader and follower end up side-by-side in a cuddle position.
2 Footwork
Footwork can have many different forms:
- Single Step: Rock-step, step-hold, step-hold.
- Double Step: Rock-step, kick-step, kick-step; or rock-step, tap-step, tap-step.
- Triple Step: Rock-step, triple-step, triple-step.
- Holds: Rock step, hold-hold, hold-hold.
These forms can be mixed and matched, for example: Rock-step, triple-step, kick, hold.
The reasons to choose different footwork are as follows.
- Learning: Beginning dancers can do simple steps easily, but they may struggle with more complex footwork. Advanced dancers may enjoy more complex footwork.
- Tempo: Simpler footwork, such as steps and holds, are easier to do to fast music. Complex footwork makes slow music more interesting.
- Musicality: If the music has very simple rhythm, such as one beat per beat, then kick steps work well. If the music has a more complex rhythm, such as two beats per beat, then triple steps work well. If the music pauses (breaks) then holds work well.
- Variety: It is nice to vary the dance form, so if you use one kind of footwork for a while, you might want to try another form for a while.
3 See Also
Lindy Hop, Swing dance, Chicken Walks.
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