Swing Single-Step Swing (Jitterbug) Double-Step Swing (Retro Swing) Triple-Step Swing (East Coast Swing) West Coast Swing Lindy Hop (Savoy Style) 4-Count Swing

There are many types of Swing in the world and they depend on the music, culture, style and tempo of the music as to which one you want to learn. There are two main types of Swing that most people in the Pacific Northwest area are familiar with. These are East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing which both evolved from Lindy Hop which is still very popular today with young and old.   East Coast Swing is mostly a 6-count dance. It rotates in a small stationary space on the dance floor. It can rotate either Clockwise or Counter Clockwise. It shares its history with West Coast Swing as a dance evolving from Lindy Hop. Lindy Hop began back in the 1920s at the time Charles Lindberg hopped the Atlantic ocean and they were doing the Charleston. Notice the two dances were named after that famous guy?  East Coast Swing can be further broken down into 3 categories. Single-Step Swing or Jitterbug Tempo: Mostly for the fast swing music at 150 bpm - 230 bpm Music: Big Band, Country Double-Step Swing (Delayed Single-Step) or Retro Swing Tempo: Medium or "in between" tempo music at 135 bpm - 160 bpm Music: 50s & 60s, Country, some Big Band Triple-Step Swing or East Coast Swing Tempo: Slow tempo music at 115 bpm - 140 bpm Music: Blues, Jazz, 50s & 60s, Country, some Big Band West Coast Swing is a more sophisticated style of swing that has evolved from Lindy Hop in a different way. It's other names have been Smooth Lindy and Sophisticated Swing and now West Coast Swing. This style evolved as the more mature dancers left out the aerials, drops and lifts of Lindy Hop and made the dance smoother. The further sophistication came as the dance floors became smaller and smaller the dancers had to use a smaller foot print for their Swing Dancing. West Coast Swing is now done in a slot with tight smooth movements done to slower swing music. The WCS continues to evolve and now the popular music to dance WCS to is more contemporary with slow Funky music and Hip Hop as well as the Blues, Rhythm & Blues (R&B), Jazz, Big Band, Country and Latin. It is usually recommended that students take some East Coast Swing lessons first to familiarize themselves with Swing dancing before taking WCS. This will build some confidence for brand new dancers. West Coast Swing Tempo: Slow tempo music at 80 bpm - 130 bpm Music: R&B, Funky, Hip Hop, Blues, Jazz, 50s & 60s, Country, some Big Band 4-Count Swing is a simple style of swing consisting of rocking forward and back and very versatile.

Single-Step Swing (Jitterbug) Join this class for a fun introduction into this energetic style of Swing. Become confident dancing to fast tempo music like "In The Mood". Gain a solid foundation in single-step 6-count Swing, by learning practical basics of partnering and footwork along with smooth moves. Music includes: Rock & Roll, Big Band & NEW Swing music. *You can start with either (1a) or (1b) and a partner is not required. Syllabus (1a) Basic (Closed Position) Lady's Right Underarm Turn (Outside) Lady's Left Underarm Turn (Inside) Man's Left Pass Overhead Slide Basic (Open Position) Lady's Wrap Up to Cuddle Sweetheart (Left & Right) Lady's Turn Turn Out (Right Turn) Man's Walk Through Catch w/Right Hand 540 or She/He w/Right to Right Reverse Spin or Lady's Free Spin  Catch w/Man's Left Hand Printable Version Syllabus (1b) Basic (Closed Position) Lady's Turn Turn Out (Right) Lady's Left Underarm Turn (Inside) Man's Left Underarm Turn Basic (Open Position) Man's Comb Lady's Comb Lady's Wrap Up into Wheel Clockwise Continuous Wheel Lady's Outside Right Turn Man's Walk Through Catch w/Right Hand Finesse (1 or 2) Lady's Left Turn w/Man's Hand Change  Behind The Back She/He with Left Hand (1 or 2) Reverse Spin w/Left Hand

Jitterbug Music Suggestions  BPM Song Title Artist

Double-Step Swing (Retro Swing) This Swing is perfect for the ’50s & ’60s music and more. It is very lively with its different style movements. You will find yourself really getting into the music and having fun. *You can start with either (1a) or (1b) and a partner is not required. Syllabus (1a) Basic (Closed Position) Lady's Right Underarm Turn (Outside) Lady's Left Underarm Turn (Inside) Man's Left Pass Overhead Slide Basic (Open Position) Lady's Wrap Up to Cuddle Sweetheart (Left & Right) Lady's Turn Turn Out (Right Turn) Man's Walk Through Catch w/Right Hand 540 or She/He w/Right to Right Reverse Spin or Lady's Free Spin  Catch w/Man's Left Hand Printable Version Syllabus (1b) Basic (Closed Position) Lady's Turn Turn Out (Right) Lady's Left Underarm Turn (Inside) Man's Left Underarm Turn Basic (Open Position) Man's Comb Lady's Comb Lady's Wrap Up into Wheel Clockwise Continuous Wheel Lady's Outside Right Turn Man's Walk Through Catch w/Right Hand Finesse (1 or 2) Lady's Left Turn w/Man's Hand Change  Behind The Back She/He with Left Hand (1 or 2) Reverse Spin w/Left Hand

Triple-Step Swing (East Coast Swing) East Coast Swing is a fun easy place to start partner dancing. Gain a solid foundation in triple-step 6-count Swing, by learning practical basics of partnering and footwork along with smooth moves. Music includes R&B, C&W, R&R, Big Band. *You can start with either (1a) or (1b) and a partner is not required. Syllabus (1a) Basic (Closed Position) Lady's Right Underarm Turn (Outside) Lady's Left Underarm Turn (Inside) Man's Left Pass Overhead Slide Basic (Open Position) Lady's Wrap Up to Cuddle Sweetheart (Left & Right) Lady's Turn Turn Out (Right Turn) Man's Walk Through Catch w/Right Hand 540 or She/He w/Right to Right Reverse Spin or Lady's Free Spin  Catch w/Man's Left Hand Printable Version Syllabus (1b) Basic (Closed Position) Lady's Turn Turn Out (Right) Lady's Left Underarm Turn (Inside) Man's Left Underarm Turn Basic (Open Position) Man's Comb Lady's Comb Lady's Wrap Up into Wheel Clockwise Continuous Wheel Lady's Outside Right Turn Man's Walk Through Catch w/Right Hand Finesse (1 or 2) Lady's Left Turn w/Man's Hand Change  Behind The Back She/He with Left Hand (1 or 2) Reverse Spin w/Left Hand

East Coast Swing Music Suggestions  BPM Song Title Artist  127 Rock My World  Brooks & Dunn   134 You Got What It Takes  Michelle Wilson

West Coast Swing *Recommended Prerequisite:  (ECS or Jitterbug 1a & 1b) Most notably, West Coast Swing is loved for its flexibility, allowing dancers to play with the music like musical instruments in a jazz band. When both dancers are skilled in West Coast Swing, it can be an experience of total spontaneity set to music, leaving each partner with an exhilarating high. It is danced to contemporary music such as R&B, C&W, Rock & Top40. *You can start with either (1a) or (1b) and a partner is not required. Syllabus (1a) Underarm Turn (Underarm Pass) Underarm Turn w/Hand Change Right Side Pass Starter Step (4 count) Basic Tuck Whip (8 count) Printable Version Syllabus (1b) Left Side Pass Turning Basic Slingshot Throwout Push Break (Sugar Push) Two Hand Tuck Locked Whip (8 count)   Syllabus (2a) Swinging Starter Step One-Handed Tuck Syncopated Tuck S-Tuck Underarm Cutoff Closing Underarm Cutoff Hand Change & Crossing Triple Right Side Arm-Fold Pass Inside Whip Outside Whip Arm-Fold Whip Cutoff Whip Printable Version Syllabus (2b) Strut Walk (3rd Foot Position Walk) Two Hand Strut & Tuck to Leftovers Leftover Alternating Underarm Whip Over Turning Basic Rock-n-Roll Out Rock-n-Sweetheart Roll with Leftovers Advanced Leftover Outside Whip Underarm Push Break Half-Slot Tuck (Closed & Two-Handed) Walking Whip (Parallel Whip) Closing Left Side Pass Rotating Throwout   Syllabus (3) This class is Intermediate/Advanced. Prerequisite: Students must have taken our Level 1a & 1b and our 2a & 2b  unless coming from an equivalent level course from elswhere. Material will be different each week and will not be reviewed the following week.  This allows students to join the classes on a drop-in basis.  However, it is more economical to register for the 6-week series since  it will include the Thursday night dance, from 8:30-10:30, for FREE.  (prices & schedule subject to change)

West Coast Swing Music Suggestions  BPM Song Title Artist  85 I'm The Only One Melissa Etheridge   100 Spin  Vanessa Amorosi   100 Soul Steppin'  Will Downing   104 Stand By Me  Lemonice   105 Yeah  Usher   163 Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed  Glenn Frey

Savoy-style Lindy Hop brings back the lively, entertaining, and energetic Swing of the ‘30s and ‘40s. It mixes 6-count with 8-count moves and tandem Charleston steps. *You can start with either (1a) or (1b) and a partner is not required. Lindy Hop Class Syllabus (Granddaddy of Swing)   Syllabus (Level 1a) Swing Out from Open Lindy Circle from Open Lindy Circle from Closed Lindy Circle from Closed Options on The Basic Double Turn   Around the World w/Points Glide to the Side w/Shake Time Slip Slop Printable Version   Syllabus (Level 1b) Swing Out from Open Lindy Circle from Open Lindy Circle from Closed Continuous Lindy Circle Swing Out from Closed Charleston Heels Kick Away Handshake Behind-the-Back Hand-to-Hand Charleston Mini Dip

4-Count Swing