**Justin’s Quick Lindy Tips
for group instruction in a social or festival environment (last updated 1.29.2023)
| Quick Lindy Hop/Swing history - Lindy Hop started in the 1920s in Harlem, NY and was at the height of popularity in the ‘40s. - It is a historically Black American dance, and has evolved through the years as the progenitor of dances like disco, and country dances. - Lindy Hop is named after Charles Lindbergh, who “Hopped” the Atlantic ocean in 1927. It has gone through many different names, including: Jitterbug, Jive, East Coast Swing, Swing, and more. - Today, it is danced throughout the entire world with weekly local dances and international festivals all year. |
|---|
Suggested Teaching Order Jukin’ in closed > Basic in closed > in open > Follows inside turn > (Lead’s belt turn)
- Start with a syllabus “Today, we’re going to learn a bit of basic swing. Here’s a quick demo” 15-30 seconds
- Teach closed position. Play some slow swing.
- Swing dancing is just doing what the music asks you to do, if the music asks you to slow dance you do it. You already know how wow!
- This is perfect for any slower song, because then you can chitchat.
- BONUS Tenet Number 1: When you turn, turn underneath your hands
- Teach an inside turn in slow dancing
- Teach 6-count in open. Play some medium swing.
- Count “Rock Step, Groove, Groove”
- Can also use direction steps “Rock Step, Side, Side”
- AVOID “Rock Step, Step, Step” (causes semantic satiation)
- Since the song is faster, we fill in the space a bit more with this pattern. (Maybe a triple step, but probably not)
- Teach then dance between closed and open for the rest of the song
- Teach 6-count transition into closed
- Dance a song in 6-count, transitioning between open and closed.
- Introduce or Reiterate Tenet Number 1: When you turn, you turn underneath your hands
- To help this, Leaders have to put your hands across (check watch) and draw a halo.
- Things that can help Leaders: “Check Your Watch” “Draw a Halo” “Start the turn, then she finishes it”
- Things that can help Follows: “You finish the turn” “Turn slowly, and make him catch up” “Keep on dancing!”
Final Notes
- Try to teach-by-dancing. Dance with the attendees after the lesson lead/backlead-as-a-follow to teach shape.
- Couples will be slower to learn than individual dancers. Be patient.
- Say the rhythm out loud as much as you can.
- Encourage them to come back again after dancing for the first time.
- Wait, Don’t forget to have fun. That. It’s cool. It’s a non-profit!