So you've decided that Swing is your
thing... Good choice! Swing is the most widely-used and adaptable form of
social dancing. Both of these popular forms of swing evolved from the same
source... the original Lindy Hop of the 1930s.
East Coast Swing (ECS) evolved on the US East Coast where the
dance floors are much less crowded than floors on the West Coast. With
more space to move, couples were free to take up more space. For that
reason, ECS evolved as a circular dance, with the gentleman and lady constantly
rotating around each other.
ECS is bouncy and free-spirited, joyful and fun. ECS
follows the traditional rules of the dance floor with the gentleman leading and
the lady following. Aerials, dips, and tricks, are often an integral part
of ECS for those who are able.
ECS can be done to a variety of music styles, including Big
Band, Country, Jazz, Rock n Roll, Pop, and 90s Swing. ECS music is
characterized by a lilting or bouncy triple rhythm (da-ta-ta, da-ta-ta).
ECS is versatile in that it can be adapted to speeds from 100-200 bpm. At
the slower speeds (100-160bpm), dancers do a triple or double step; at higher speeds
(160-200 bpm) dancers do a single step.
Following its Lindy roots, ECS has a six-count pattern:
Triple Step, Triple Step, Rock Step
1 & 2
3 & 4 5
6
Or, at the higher speeds:
Slow, Slow, Rock Step
1 2 3 4
5 6
ECS is the style of Swing that most people
associate with the Jive, Jitterbug, or Rock 'n' Roll dances of the 50s.
Triple East Coast Swing
ECS is similar in nature to Ballroom Latin Jive;
however Latin Jive is characterized by high kicks and flicks,
a more formal dance frame, and fully extended arm accents. Despite the
difference in basic style, the rhythm and many of the moves are similar.
West Coast Swing (WCS) evolved on the US West Coast
where the dance floor is commonly more crowded than floors on the East Coast.
For that reason, WCS is a more compact dance, with the lady travelling along a
slot and the man dancing around her. Although the slot pattern is the
general rule, there are many moves where the couple deviates from the slot.
As a compact dance, WCS is ideal for the crowded nightclub floor.
WCS is smooth and sexy, bluesy or funky, and always changing.
Once you've learned the basic patterns, there is room for improvisation and
personal style.
WCS is unique in that the lady has input as to her own movements -- the
gentleman invites the lady to a particular move but she has the freedom to style
the move and even periodically "hijack" the lead herself.
WCS can be done to a variety of music styles, including
Country, Blues, Pop, Rock n Roll, R&B, Funk, Hip Hop, and Top 40. WCS
is slower than ECS with an average speed range of 100-130 bpm.
Like ECS, WCS also has a basic 6-count pattern:
Step, Step, Triple Step, Anchor Step
1 2
3 & 4 5 & 6
...although, there are patterns that are 8-count,
10-count, 12-count... and more!
There are two basic styles of WCS: Classic and
Funky. Classic WCS is old-school with a solid triple-beat rhythm and a
bluesy feel.
Classic WCS tends to come from Jazz and Blues, Classic Rock, and Country. Funky WCS
is the contemporary style, most commonly using R&B, Hip Hop, Funk, and Top 40 tunes.
The basic dance is the same -- only the interpretation changes.
Professional WCS
(The dancers featured in this video are Myles
Munroe and Tessa Cunningham - Canada's top-ranked West Coast Swing dancers and
choreographers... and guest instructors at our upcoming WCS Intensive weekend in
February 2010!)
Both
styles are wonderful in their own way -- choosing one is a matter of personal
preference and individual style. Learn both and be totally flexible on the
floor!
Last modified:
06/02/2010
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