Questioning what the distinction between the West Coast and East Coast swing kinds is perhaps? Then allow us to inform you all about swing.
Swing dance is an brisk and bustling style that has a wealthy historical past, rooted within the vibrant music and dance tradition from the roaring 20’s to the 40’s. Swing is understood due to its dynamic actions and infectious rhythms, and encompasses a really numerous vary of kinds, every on with its distinctive aptitude and cultural affect.
After all, each West Coast and East Value fall beneath the class of Swing Dance. Nonetheless, this dance has a myriad of distinct kinds (over 10), and there’s 4 of them that had direct influences on West and East swing. Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at every:
- Lindy Hop: This dance originated in the course of the 30’s, and is understood attributable to its high-energy nature. It options very “athletic” and acrobatic quick steps, and usually leaves all spectators in awe. You gained’t be detached to it, and that’s for positive!
- Shag: It got here round in the course of the 20s, and have become widespread in the course of the 30’s. It has a Jazzy spirit and is danced to up-tempo.
- Balboa: This dance is carried out in a closed place and originated throughout a time with very strict social codes and restricted dancing areas. It doesn’t function turns and spins, and there’s a continuing connection maintained between the dancers’ chests.
- Lindy Charleston: This type bears a resemblance to the Charleston dance of the 20’s. It encompasses varied positions, together with the jockey, side-by-side, hand-to-hand and tandem. All including depth and flexibility to this basic dance type.
So… what’s the distinction?
To distinguish them, we have to know each. Let’s begin with East Coast Swing, which is also called Jitterbug.
East Coast Swing:
As its identify implies, this swing has its origin primarily within the east coast, and is distinguished by its affiliation with jazz music and large bands. Its additionally associated to the colourful New York Metropolis scene of the 40’s.
This type emerged from the Lindy Hop, which was the favored and predominant dance type of that second. East Coast was a response to the massive demand of dance studios for a extra mainstream, approachable, and structured model of Lindy Hop (as a result of, as you may think, not everybody was in a position to carry out such an acrobatic dance at virtually inhuman speeds), so East Coast Swing was designed for newbies.
Right here, the quick melodies of rock and large bands dominate. This swing makes use of rock steps and has a pleasant vitality, which makes it wager for newbies, and, in a sure manner, it positions it as a normal dance. Right here’s some good examples…
West Coast Swing:
Now for West Coast (or Western) Swing, which originated in California. It’s necessary to notice that this type is carried out in a groove, and is taken into account a slower dance than the East swing.
Musically, west coast prefers sluggish rock, in addition to blues rhythms. It may well additionally favor nation music at instances. This swing could be seen as extra sensual when in comparison with its counterpart and emerged when the Lindy Hop dance began to say no.
In social dances, it’s widespread to search out individuals fusing components of each kinds, making a combination of East Coast and West Coast dance. This video showcases some actually enjoyable examples.
The tempo
As a basic “rule”, East coast Swing is danced to a quick tempo (between a BPM of 136 and 144), as follows its energetic nature and musical choice. Within the contemporaneous American Rhythm of this swing, dancers additionally carry out to the gleeful and vivacious pop music.
As for West Coast Swing, its enchanting facets embrace that it is rather versatile with regards to selecting music. This dance type adapts itself gracefully to a myriad of music genres that go from the sensual hug of sluggish blues to the contemporaneous vibes kind hip-hop, the melodious harmonies of pop, music from the 40’s and even the twang of nation.
The tempo for this type varies drastically, nevertheless it oscillates in a BPM of 90-120 vary. One of many hallmarks of West Coast Swing is its sturdy emphasis on dancing in sync with the music, a high quality that performs a key position in successful West Coast Swing dance competitions.
Attaining this synchrony includes embodying the lyrics of the songs, skillfully combining dance strikes with musical pauses, and harmonizing physique actions with rhythmic beats.
A West Coast dancer should show a ‘dance chameleon’, adapting their type to the musical context and passing simply from sensual and sluggish, to energetic rhythms.
The Primary Steps
In essence, East Coast Swing revolves round a dynamic interaction of rock steps and triple steps. What actually defines East Coast Swing is its inherent sense of rhythm, characterised by a energetic bounce, swish ups and downs, and a charming cadence.
Dancers infuse this type with an infectious burst of vitality, accentuated by energetic shakes and kicks of the legs and toes, together with the mesmerizing swaying of the hips in a pendulum movement. Lifting the knees between steps is a testomony to the exuberance of the dance and synchronizes completely with the colourful vitality of the accompanying music.
The muse of West Coast Swing is its elementary footwork, characterised by a rhythmic sequence of stroll, stroll, triple step, and triple step. It is very important observe that inside this sequence, the ultimate triple step has a particular designation because the “Anchor Step”.
What distinguishes West Coast Swing is its fluid and complex type, marked by a deep emphasis on associate connection, a eager sense of musicality, and precision footwork.
Wrapping it up…
Each East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing have carved out a distinct segment as gratifying and sociable dances, usually gracing the dance flooring of weddings, events, and energetic bars. I enthusiastically encourage anybody to enterprise into the world of each dance kinds – do you will have a choice between the 2 and, in that case, what attracts you to them? We’d love to listen to from you.
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I studied diplomacy and legislation, however at the moment I’m following my deepest ardour which is being a author. I’ve expertise as a dancer in flamenco, stomach dance, and ballet, and it’s my pleasure to jot down about dancing!
