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How To Swing Dance

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Learn the basics of the big-band era, and get ready for a jazzy night on the town!
Added January 5, 2009

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You Will Need

A dance partner
A sense of humor
Endurance

Step 1.
Count out the rhythm

Get used to the rhythm you’ll be dancing to by counting it out loud. The beat for basic swing dancing sounds like this: 1 a 2, 1 a 2, 1 2, 1 a 2, 1 a 2, 1 2.
Step 2.
Stand in open position

Swing is traditionally danced by a man-and-woman team. Decide who’ll be your gent and who’ll be your lady. Stand facing each other in open position.
Open position means standing and facing your partner, maintaining some space between the two of you, and holding one or both hands.
Step 3.
Think of yourselves as mirrors

You and your partner will always be dancing the same steps on the opposite feet. Basically, you’ll be each other’s mirror image.
Step 4.
Step to one side

On the first “1 a 2,” the man does a left-right-left step to his left side. The woman steps right-left-right to her right.
Step 5.
Step to the other side

On the second “1 a 2,” the man does a right-left-right step to his right, back to starting position. The woman steps left-right-left to her left.
Step 6.
Step away

On the “1,” the man steps back and away on his left foot, while the woman does the same on her right foot.
Step 7.
Step back

On the “2,” both partners shift their weight to the other foot.
Step 8.
Practice the sequence

Throw on an old swing hit, and practice until you know the sequence by heart.
Step 9.
Step lively

Swing is a fun, upbeat dance, so keep up that energy, and have a blast!
The swing dance known as the Lindy Hop derived its name from Charles Lindbergh’s famed solo flight (or “hop”) across the Atlantic.