How to Sign up for Jive Dance Lessons

Ballroom is dance and sport combined. In competition, no other art form can match the intensity and subtlety of emotional and physical display. Among the disciplines, the jive, which is a type of swing dance, stands out in performance. A relative of the jitterbug, the fast, syncopated action of the jive turns heads away from the waltz or tango. To compete and win, sign up for jive.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rock and roll, jump blues or big-band jazz music and space to practice
• Access to a dance studio that teaches group lessons
• Good understanding of how to count dance steps

1. Find a great instructor. Jive is somewhat complex to learn, so search for a teacher who can both dance well and put steps into words.

2. Find a supportive dance studio. If you plan to compete, base part of your instruction decision on access to practice space, the caliber of the students and their competition records.

3. Gather practice materials. Get a video on your instructor's recommendation or work out along with "Ballroom Dancing for Absolute Beginners" at Amazon, which is actually challenging enough for those who are more advanced (see Resources below).

4. Practice and exercise regularly. Many competitors practice 5 days a week and some supplement their dancing with machine weights, aerobics or swimming.

5. Stay healthy. You can't compete if you're not fit, so eat and sleep right and maintain your flexibility by starting a regimen of stretching before and after workouts.

Tips & Warnings

• The jive and other swing dances originated with the jitterbug in the 1920s and was applied to rock and roll in the 1950s. This is the style you see today.
• Jive is most closely related to East Coast Swing, the traditional dance of sock hops and jump blues music.
• The jive and other swing dances originated with the jitterbug in the 1920s and was applied to rock and roll in the 1950s. This is the style you see today.
• Jive is most closely related to East Coast Swing, the traditional dance of sock hops and jump blues music.
• The jive is one of the most strenuous of ballroom dances. Make sure you are physically up to a class that focuses solely on jive.
• The most experienced professional is not necessarily the best demonstrator, so try a couple lessons before you sign on.
• The jive is one of the most strenuous of ballroom dances. Make sure you are physically up to a class that focuses solely on jive.
• The most experienced professional is not necessarily the best demonstrator, so try a couple lessons before you sign on.

Resources

• Beginning jive instructions
• Practice the steps at home
• Compete with the big guys at the United States Dance Championships