West Coast Swing

BACKGROUND

The West Coast Swing has quickly gained popularity across the United States because of its more sophisticated style and easy adaptation to today's modern rock music. Originally a regional style popular in the West and Southwest of the U.S.A, the West Coast Swing made its' bid as a nationally accepted style of swing in the late 50's and has been gaining strength ever since. The Western Swing incorporates many forms of swing including the Lindy, Shag, Whip and Push. Versatile dancers, eager to display their talent, are ever creating new and interesting movement in the swing.

In the 40 plus years of its existence, the Western Swing has proven that it can endure the test of time. As with the Eastern Swing, it is possible to dance the Western Swing in a relatively small area, providing the dancers have an assortment of dance breaks. Western Swing, like Eastern Swing must be built up from a firm basic movement so that ad-libing and complete freedom of movement and expression can be interpreted into the dance.

MUSIC AND TEMPO

The Bronze West Coast Swing music is written in 4/4 time and should be played at a tempo of 28 - 32 measures of music per minute for examinations and competitions.

STYLE AND CHARACTERISTICS

The West Coast Swing is a sport dance. not moving along the line of dance. Its slower tempo allows for freer rhythmic interpretations using single, double, triple and various other syncopated rhythms. A relaxed, sometimes shuffling movement and upright position are very characteristic. Occasional use of hip movements and or push stye are also used to enhance the style of the dance. The use of slot dancing is a major part of the dance.

SLOT DANCING

The basic premise of the Western Swing is that the man and lady will dance in a slot that established by the man when he leads the lady to Open Position. In most cases, the man will not travel as much as the lady. The man's use of various link steps will also regulate the position and direction of the slot.