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by Brian B at west coast swing online
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What is West Coast Swing?
Better known as the free partner dance style, or California’s state dance, the West Coast Dance is a type of modern Swing Dance. It involves a lot of fun rhythm changes and playful syncopations. Unlike the east coast dance style performed to big band, 1920’s style music, West Coast can be done to R&B, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and blues and Top 40 songs.
It is flexible and allows personal expression for both the lead and the follow. The beauty of this dance is, it can catch the rhythm of each music and synchronize it with its dance steps.
How Can One Learn West Coast Swing Quickly?
Well, no one can master the West Coast Dance style in a day! A lot of practice, determination, repetition and interest in the dance is all that takes it to learn the dance. If you are dead set to learn this dance, do not delay to get enrolled in a reputed Seattle-based dance club. Learn the basics and follow the instructions of your trainer to get going with the dance steps quick! Below, we have listed a few places you might want to check out!
This dance is very elastic in nature, and you need to get ready to tone up your muscles to acquire the elasticity in your body. For the beginners, the first few sessions are very critical and at times tiring too. It is very obvious they will not get the steps accurately at first! So the best is to keep repeating the steps till one finally gets the step right on their toes.
Basic Movements of West Coast Dance Style
In total there are about 14 basic patterns in West Coast Swing dance. But on the basic level, only three main movements is what beginners learn initially. It comprises of the-
- Passes (6 counts)
- Pushes (6 counts)
- Whips (8 counts)
West Coast Swing Dance Classes Seattle
1. Seattle Swing Dance Club– A nonprofit organization, based out in Seattle. Contact them to know more about the dance classes they offer.
2. Century Ballroom– It is located at 915 E Pine Street, 2’nd Floor Seattle WA. Browse through their online site to get more information on the dance classes they conduct.
3. Belltown Dance Studio– This dance studio is based right in the heart of Belltown- 2217 3’rd Ave Suite 102 (Between Bell St. & Blanchard St.) Seattle, WA. They conduct classes on a range of dance out of which the West Coast Swing dance being one of them.
Learn the basic patterns for west coast swing online
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