How to Jive Dance

The Jive dance is an American dance that is based on the Jitterbug. While similar to the Swing dance, the Jive dance is faster and involves the dancers doing quicker movements while dancing mostly on the balls of their feet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Understand the beat structure of the Jive. It is based in 4/4 time, the same time value is used for single, double and triple jive. The rhythm is determined by the quickness of the steps which is determined by the speed of the music.

2. Learn the basic (double). The man's steps are: start with the left foot down. Touch the right foot softly to the floor, step to the right with the right foot, then touch the left foot to the floor next to the newly priced right foot. Move the left foot back, then step with the right foot into the same position it is already in. The lady's steps are the opposite, starting on her left foot.

3. Practice the basic (triple). Start with your feet together. Step to the left and follow with the right foot with a touch. Step left again, step right with the right foot and follow with a touch left. Step right, then swing back with left foot and step on the right foot solid again. This is done to the rhythm of quick a quick, quick a quick. quick, quick. The lady's steps are done the opposite starting on her right foot.

4. Add in a lady spin basic turn. This is done starting at count two and ending at count three. Start with R-R hand hold and step apart under tension. The lady rotates counter clockwise, so her right side is to the right of the man. The man cups his hand around her fisted hand. Spin her one and a quarter turn clock wise, catch with either hand and step back.