How to Do the Lindy and Swing Dance
There are several different styles of swing, including East Coast, West Coast, Savoy swing and the lindy. This six-count basic step is East Coast swing style.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Dancing Shoes
- Full Skirts (for Women)
- Mens' Dress Pants (loose-fitting)
- Benny Goodman Live CD
- Brian Setzer CDs
- Let's Swing Video
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1
Get in position by facing your partner. If you are the leader, turn very slightly to your left and place your right hand in the middle of your partner's back. Extend your left hand at hip level with your palm up, grasping your partner's right hand in a loose grip. Your partner should place her left hand on your right shoulder and mirror your movements throughout the dance.
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2
Do a triple step on counts one and two: Quickly make a small step on your left foot, then your right, and then back to your left. (Your partner will do the reverse.) You may want to move slightly to the left during this step, but it's more a shifting of weight back and forth than actual steps. Say 'triple step' to get the rhythm.
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3
Do another triple step on counts three and four, starting with your right foot, this time moving slightly to the right if you like.
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4
Place your left foot behind your right on the fifth count, rocking back on the ball of your left foot. This should open up a space between you and your partner as she mirrors your movements, rocking back on the ball of her right foot.
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5
On the sixth count, bring your weight back to your right foot into the original starting position while simultaneously launching back into the triple step as described in steps 2 through 4.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Start out to slower music while you're learning the steps, and count the beats as follows: 'one-and-two, three-and-four, five, six.'
Yell out, 'Yeah, yeah, go Daddy-O!' occasionally.
Some swing clubs offer free or inexpensive introductory classes or specials on certain nights of the week.
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Comments
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zconga
Mar 07, 2009
Jeliot... don't be such a snob. they're having fun so get over yourself. I'm sure you're a pro and admired by everyone... but save it for you're dance competitions. -
zconga
Mar 07, 2009
Jeliot... don't be such a snob. they're having fun so get over yourself. I'm sure you're a pro and admired by everyone... but save it for you're dance competitions.
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dancer1725
Dec 27, 2008
New York Lindy is an exceptionally sophisticated, classy step when done correctly. There's no faking it. It is also very well suited to a very crowded dance floor. Instructions given on this webpage are clear & concise, and easier to follow than some videos I have paid money for. Work out the step slowly without music til it is second nature. Then when you set the music to it, it will come together. "....My partner and I just make up the moves as we go. Just do a lot of turning under arms and twirling and kicking. Make up a pattern. People think we know what we are doing, and it looks awesome." This quote sounds like funky country huckleberry to me, and should be posted in "country" swing.
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dancer1725
Dec 27, 2008
New York Lindy is an exceptionally sophisticated, classy step when done correctly. There's no faking it. It is also very well suited to a very crowded dance floor. Instructions given on this webpage are clear & concise, and easier to follow than some videos I have paid money for. Work out the step slowly without music til it is second nature. Then when you set the music to it, it will come together. "....My partner and I just make up the moves as we go. Just do a lot of turning under arms and twirling and kicking. Make up a pattern. People think we know what we are doing, and it looks awesome." This quote sounds like funky country huckleberry to me, and should be posted in "country" swing.
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JEliot
Dec 09, 2008
I have a feeling whoever posted the comment two above has a much different opinion of their dancing than those at the club who actually know what they're doing.
