I need to know stuff about Swing Dancing?

Question

anythin u know

Answer 1

The term "swing dance" is commonly used to refer either to a group of dances developing in response to swing (genre) music in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, or to lindy hop, a popular partner dance today. While the majority of swing dances began in African American communities as vernacular African American dances, there were a number of forms which developed within Anglo-American or other ethnic group communities. Balboa is one of the most commonly cited examples.

Though they technically preceded the rise of swing music, and are commonly associated with Dixieland jazz which developed in New Orleans in the south of the United States, dances such as the black bottom (dance), charleston (dance) and tap dance are still considered members of the swing dance family. These sorts of dances travelled north with jazz to cities like New York, Kansas City, and Chicago in the Great Migration (African American) of the 1920s, where rural blacks travelled north to escape persecution, Jim Crow laws, lynching and unemployment in the South during the Great Depression.

Swinging jazz music features the syncopated timing associated with African American and West African music and dance - a combination of crotchets and quavers which many swing dancers interpret as 'triple steps' and 'steps' - yet also introduces changes in the way these rhythms were played - a distinct delay or 'relaxed' approach to timing. Swinging jazz developed from Dixieland jazz, and travelled north with black dancers during the Great Migration.

Today there are swing dance scenes in many developed Western and Asian countries throughout the world, and though each city and country varies in their preferences for particular dances, lindy hop is often the most popular. It is important to note, though, that west coast swing dance attracts more dancers, particularly in the United States. Each local swing dance community has a distinct local culture and defines "swing dance" and "appropriate" dance music in different ways.

In many scenes outside the United States the term "Swing dancing" is used to refer generically to one or all of the following swing era dances: Lindy Hop, Charleston, Shag, Balboa and Blues. This group is often extended to include Jive, Rock and Roll, Western Swing, Ceroc, and other dances developing in the 1940s and later. Within the United States, the swing dance family is often expanded to include many other social dances, including West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Hand Dancing, and so on. A strong tradition of social and competitive boogie woogie and acrobatic rock and roll in Europe add these dances to their local swing dance cultures. In Singapore and other scenes, Latin dances such as salsa and Tango are often taught and danced within the "Swing scene", and for many scenes tap dancing and a range of other jazz dances are considered key, as are hip hop and other contemporary African American street dances. The variations continue, dictated by local dance community interests.

Many swing dancers today argue that it is important to dance many styles of partner dance to improve technique, but also to reflect the historical relationship between these dances in the swing era of the 1920s and 1930s. In the Savoy Ballroom, for example, bands would often play waltzes, Latin songs and so on, as well as swinging jazz. Dancers were often familiar with a wide range of popular and traditional dances. There are a number of hybrid forms which combine swing dances with other styles, including Swango, a combination of Argentinian Tango and Swing.


Later forms from the 1930s and 1940s

Lindy Hop evolved in the late 1920s and early 1930s as an early swing dance. It is characterised by an emphasis on improvisation and the ability to easily adapt to include steps from other 8-count and 6-count Swing styles. It has been danced to most every conceivable form of jazz music, as well as to the blues, and any other type of music with a blues or jazz rhythm.
Balboa is an 8-count dance that emphasizes a strong partner connection and quick footwork. A product of Southern California's crowded ballrooms, Balboa (or "Bal") is primarily danced in a tight, closed position with the follow and lead adopting a firm chest-to-chest posture. Over time, enthusiasts created a library of open moves, called Bal-Swing. While most dancers differentiate between Balboa and Bal-Swing, both are considered to be part of the dance. Balboa is frequently danced to fast jazz (usually anything from 180 to 320 beats per minute), though many like to Balboa to slower tempos.
Blues dancing today is an informal type of dance with no fixed patterns and a heavy focus on connection, sensuality and improvisation, often with strong body contact. Although usually done to blues music, it can be done to any slow tempoed 4/4 music, including rock ballads and "club" music. Historically, there are many different types of blues dancing, including the slow drag. While not technically a "swing dance", Blues is historically/culturally related to Swing and remains very popular in many swing dance communities.



Instructions

STEP 1: Find classes in your area by doing a search on the Internet, checking with local adult education schools, checking for fliers at a local dance, or looking in the yellow pages under dance lessons.

STEP 2: Decide whether you prefer to take dance classes run by smaller, independent local studios or those offered through larger, national schools such as Arthur Murray.

STEP 3: Wear soft-soled shoes. Beginners don't need to buy special dance shoes.

STEP 4: Dress casually. Men usually wear nice, but casual pants, and women typically wear simple skirts or dresses because they like the way the fabric twirls out as they spin.


STEP 5: Come alone if you choose. Most classes will balance leaders and partners.

STEP 6: Be prepared to be separated periodically if you bring your own partner. Students learn better by dancing with people who have different styles.

STEP 7: Realize that you don't need to be a good dancer to take a swing class. Most people can be taught how to dance. It just takes time, patience and practice.

STEP 8: Listen to swing music at home. Tap to the beat as you clean the house or wash the dishes.

STEP 9: Remember, swing practice makes perfect; once you've learned a few basic steps, practice them at local dances or clubs. Tips & Warnings
Most beginner classes teach six-count swing dances - the East Coast Swing and the Jitterbug. You generally need a year of those dances under your belt before progressing to an eight-count dance, such as the Lindy.
Keep in mind that the East Coast Swing and the Jitterbug are usually accompanied by big band (Count Basie) music, 50's rock and roll (Chuck Berry), or modern jump blues (Cherry Poppin' Daddies), while the West Coast Swing is done to blues music, which is slower.
Flips and jumps that you often see on television and movies are for advanced dancers. Such moves can be dangerous for beginners and are not allowed on most social dance floors.

Answer 2

it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing - duke ellington (ella fitzgerald) There are many versions and covers of this song, its very famous. actually, check out some other duke ellington stuff, you'll probably find what you need. (also search glen miller, benny goodman and louis prima.. louis armstrong also? those are some very very famous people right there) enjoy :)