Jive & Swing Dance Lessons in Ottawa
The Swing is a spot dance with a carefree relaxed style and is a dance easily mastered by most people. The various speeds of music are excellent training for quick footwork and good leading and following which will add comfort and ease in most other rhythm dances. After mastering the patterns both men and women will find Swing a fun and exciting dance to learn and practice.
Learn to dance the Swing at Arthur Murray Dance Studios. We invite you to take advantage of a first free class. Click Here
Private Class
During your one-on-one private lessons, you will receive personalized instruction that will help you achieve your goals in dancing. Your instructor will spend the time necessary on technique, styling and general dance improvement. An up-to-date record of everything you have learned will also be kept as part of your instruction.
For over 20 years Arthur Murray Dance Studios Ottawa has been one of Ottawa’s leading dance schools. Award-winning instructors and owners Marilisa Granzotto and Steve Martin are members of the World Professional Dance Teachers Association.
History
The Lindy (Swing) picked up where the Charleston left off. It had “swing-outs”, “break-aways” and “shine steps”. With the birth of “Swing” music in the mid 1930′s, the Lindy climbed the social ladder. In August of 1935, at the Palomar Ballroom, bandleader Benny Goodman played a Fletcher Henderson arrangement of “Stompin’ at the Savoy”. The rest, as they say, is history. The dance craze swept the nation and was also known as the Jitterbug or Lindy Hop. Since those days, each successive generation has “discovered” the fun of Swing. This most uniquely American dance is enjoyed all over the world.
Music
Swing, Jitterbug, Jive, Shag, and Lindy Hop are normally written in 2/4 or 4/4 time with the musical accents occurring on the second or second and fourth beats of a measure. Swing includes two general rhythms: Swing Rhythm – 1,2,3 & 4, 5 & 6 or it’s equivalent; Linday Rhythm – 1, 2, 3 & $, 5,6,7 & 8 or it’s equivalent. It may be danced comfortably over a wide range of tempos.
Characteristics
A side step or triple step (shuffle) followed by a rock step done to lively music is the fundamental pattern for this dance.
Teaching Elements
• Basics – Turns and position changes
• Open Breaks – Fingertip lead and follow; arm control
• Footwork – Weight changes in rotation
• Maneuverability – Learn how to move comfortably in all directions
• Motion & Accents – Stress the use of beats to steps and body to music
• Various Timings – Single, double and triple timing as well as Lindy timing to adjust to different music tenpos
• Compare/Contrast – Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Foxtrot
Songs and Artists
In the Mood – Glenn Miller
Rock Around The Clock – Bill Haley and the Comets
Start Me Up – The Rolling Stones
Jump, Jive, An’ Wail – Louis Prima or the Brian Setzer Orchestra
