Although some people think that swing dancing is just one type of dance, this isn’t the case. There are multiple variations, each with their own differences. Two of the main types of swing dancing are East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing. Understanding the differences may make it easier to decide which type of swing you want to learn.
Dance Pattern
One of the major differences between East Coast and West Coast Swing is that East Coast Swing involves moving in a circular motion around the dance floor and tends to take up quite a bit of space. People dancing in small spaces would do better to dance West Coast Swing, which involves the dancers moving forward and back in a small rectangular space. There’s still plenty of spinning and turning in West Coast Swing, it’s just done within a smaller total area.
Easiest to Pick Up
Those just getting started probably want to take East Coast Swing Dance Atascocita TX lessons, as East Coast Swing tends to be easier for people to learn, sometimes requiring just an hour or two of lessons to pick up the basics. West Coast Swing is a bit harder to learn and will likely take a few more lessons to pick up well enough to dance in public.
Style
East Coast Swing Dance Atascocita TX dancers are likely to perform a lot of high-energy moves, including tunnels, turns, and twists, while West Coast Swing dancers are more likely to perform more sensual moves. Variations of East Coast-style swing include boogie-woogie, jitterbug, Lindy hop, and jive. West Coast-style swing variations include the shag, whip, and push.
Music Speed
West Coast Swing is more likely to be danced to slower music, such as blues and jazz, though it can actually be danced to a wide variety of different types of music, including contemporary pop music, rock, country, and funk. East Coast Swing tends to be danced to music that’s a bit faster, including big band or jazz music that has anything from 110 to 300 beats per minute, although most people tend to stick closer to the lower end of this range.
Get in touch with Fred Astaire Dance Studios to schedule swing lessons.
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