Various Styles of Swing Dancing

Social Swing dancing is a great way to get off the couch, experience new things and enjoy yourself. With so many different styles of Swing dancing, you can take your skills to a wide variety of social dance settings from night clubs to cruises to weddings. 

At Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, we have been teaching couples and singles to Swing dance for over a decade! We have an excellent staff of instructors that are capable and excited to get you ready to Swing dance anywhere. We focus on social dance skills, meaning that not only will you learn the steps and combinations of Swing dancing, you will also learn how to navigate a busy dance floor, make a connection with your dance partner and so much more. 

Dances that fit into the Swing dance category include the Lindy Hop, Charleston, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Jive, Shag and many others. Let’s discuss some of the key characteristics of these Swing varieties to help identify them.

One type of Swing dancing is the Charleston. There are many different styles of the Charleston that are distinguished by the era they were born into. The Charleston from the 1920s is different than that of the 1930s. In the 1920s, this branch of Swing was associated with flapper dancers. One key feature of the Charleston, apart from other Swing dances, is the swaying arms and quick foot movements that the dancers utilize to stylize the dance.

You may recognize the Lindy Hop by its basic move, the swingout. The swingout involves one partner pulling the other into a closed position from an open position. The Lindy Hop is actually a variation of the Charleston, so the two dances are very similar. Just as the Lindy Hop is a the result of an evolution of the Charleston, the Lindy Hop helped to inspire the East Coast Swing, Balboa, Shag and Boogie Woogie.

Another dance associated with the Lindy Hop is the West Coast Swing. This form of Swing dancing is distinguished by having an elastic feel to it and was established in California. Dancers in West Coast Swing use an extension and compression partnership, which gives that elastic appearance. Additionally, West Coast Swing is more linear and slower than other Swing dances.

East Coast Swing is yet another variation of Swing dancing, which also evolved from the Lindy Hop. To distinguish itself from the other forms of Swing dancing, especially the West Coast Swing from California, East Coast Swing was appropriately named. The East Coast Swing is known for having more bounce and pep to it that other forms of Swing dance. It is also a more standardized type of Swing, as it was originally developed for instructional purposes.

No matter what type of Swing dancing you would like to learn, you are going to have a blast with private Swing dance lessons at Dance FX Studios! Because of its variety and versatility, Swing dancing is a great dance to learn for any occasion. To start your Swing dance lessons today, give us a call to set up an introductory offer for just $40. At Dance FX Studios, we offer Country Swing, Jitterbug, West Coast Swing, and more. With our $40 introductory offer, you can “test drive” the basics of Swing dancing and start your journey on the road to becoming a confident and proficient Swing dancer. Dance FX Studios has private Swing dance lessons and group Swing dance classes for your enjoyment. Call or sign up today, you will be glad you did!