5 Swing Dance Styles to Improve Your Partner Dancing

Swing dancing, a genre of dance that has been around for almost a century, has evolved through the years, with new styles being developed and added to its repertoire. These styles have made swing dancing more exciting, diverse and vibrant.

Popularly known for its energetic, rhythmic, and jumpy movements that draw people to the dance floor, swing dancing brings about a sense of joy and happiness that is infectious and spreads throughout the room.

In this article, we’ll be diving into five swing dance styles that can help improve your partner dancing skills, offering something for everyone.

Lindy Hop

Lindy Hop is considered the mother of all swing dance styles, beginning in the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York during the late 1920s and early 1930s, a multicultural and multiracial space that welcomed everyone. Its name is from Charles Lindbergh’s famous 1927 transatlantic flight – hence, the reference to “hop”, symbolizing the sense of freedom and adventure that people felt during that era.

Lindy Hop is a high-energy dance that involves quick and complicated footwork, spins, and lifts. It’s a partnership dance that requires both the leader and follower to communicate and synchronize their movements.

This dance style is a great way to improve your partner dancing skills as it requires coordination, rhythm, and trust. It’s also an excellent way to meet new people and make friends as Lindy Hop is a very social dance.

Charleston

Charleston is a fun and playful swing dance style that originated from Charleston, South Carolina in the early 1900s, involving energetic movements and kicks. Like Lindy Hop, it is a partnership dance that requires coordination and communication between the leader and follower.

The dance involves quick footwork, swivels, kicks, and turns and is an excellent dance style for beginners as it’s easy to learn and is a great way to improve your balance, coordination, and rhythm. It’s also a great way to improve your partner dancing skills as it teaches you how to work together with your partner.

East Coast Swing

East Coast Swing is a lively dance style that originated from the East Coast of the United States in the 1940s, involving triple steps, rock steps, and turns. It is a simpler dance style than Lindy Hop and Charleston, making it an excellent option for beginners.

The dance style is also versatile as it can be danced to different types of music, including traditional swing music and contemporary pop songs. Learning East Coast Swing is a great way to improve your partner dancing skills as it teaches you how to lead and follow, communicate with your partner and develop a strong sense of rhythm.

Balboa

Balboa is a smooth, elegant swing dance style that originated in Balboa Island, California in the 1930s, involving close partnerships and intricate footwork. It is an excellent dance style for those who prefer dancing in close proximity to their partners.

The dance involves quick footwork and allows for improvisation and interpretation of the music, teaching you how to work together in a close partnership and requiring great communication between the leader and follower, a valuable skill to have in other dance styles.

Blues Dancing

Blues dancing is a slow and sensual dance style that originated from the blues music scene in the United States, allowing partners to connect through fluid and expressive movements.

Blues dancing teaches you how to communicate through body language, work together to create a flowing dance and is a great way to improve your improvisation skills as the music allows for creative interpretation and exploration. It is well known for its sense of intimacy, allowing partners to connect on a deep and emotional level, building trust and forming meaningful connections with others.

In conclusion, swing dancing is a great way to meet new people, have fun, and improve your partner dancing skills. We’ve covered five swing dance styles, each offering a unique set of skills and opportunities for growth. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced dancer, there’s always room for improvement and growth. So, get out there, find a dance partner, and start exploring the world of swing dancing – it may just change your life!