East Coast Swing (ECS) is a social partner dance primarily derived from the Eastern Swing Dance. Eastern Swing, in turn, was evolved from Foxtrot or more specifically its leaping version known as Shag. Furthermore, many aspects of East Coast Swing were, and still are, influenced by Charleston and Lindy Hop. This form of swing dance is strictly based in six-count patterns. The name East Coast Swing was coined to initially be a divider between the street form and the new variant used in the competitive ballroom arena (as well as separating the dance from West Coast Swing, which was developed in California). While based on Eastern Swing, it does have clear distinctions. East Coast Swing is a standardized form of dance that was developed to allow for a medium of comparison for competitive ballroom dancers. It can be said that there is no right or wrong way to dance it; however, certain styles of the dance are considered correct "form" within the technical elements documented and governed by the National Dance Council of America. The N.D.C.A. oversees all the standards of American Style Ballroom and Latin dances. Eastern Swing was never standardized and later evolved into several forms such as: (European) Boogie Woogie, Jive, East Coast Swing, and Rock & Roll. In practice on the social dance floor, the six count steps of the east coast swing are often mixed with the eight count steps of the lindy hop, the charleston, and (more rarely) the balboa.
The basic step
East Coast Swing has a 6 count basic step. This may be a little awkward at first because most swing music is in 4/4 time, with 4 beats per measure and 8 beats per phrase, resulting in some basic steps not starting at the beginning of a measure or phrase. However, after 2 basic steps, 12 counts or 3 measures have passed causing the basic step to start at the beginning of a measure. And, after 4 basic steps, 24 counts or 3 phrases have passed causing the basic step to start at the beginning of a phrase. Finally, 8 times through the basic step is 12 measures. The majority of Swing music is based on a 12 bar blues structure, which, as the name suggests, has 12 bars, or measures, in each chord progression. So, the dance will still be in sync with the music. In practice, the 6 count moves of the east coast swing, however, are often combined with 8-count moves from the lindy hop, charleston, and balboa, so good following technique is necessary to determine the count of the pattern. Depending on the region and instructor, the basic step of single-step East Coast Swing is either "rock step, step, step" or "step, step, rock step". In both cases, the rock step always starts on the downbeat (beat 1 or 3) of the music. For "rock step, step, step" the beats, or counts, with the feet are the following:
Steps for the "Lead" (Traditionally, the part for men)
(Rock Beat 1 - Step back with your LEFT foot
step) Beat 2 - Step forward with you RIGHT foot (to where you first started)
(Step) Beats 3 & 4 - Step with your LEFT foot (left foot hits the floor on beat 3)
(Step) Beats 5 & 6 - Step with your RIGHT foot (right foot his the floor on beat 5)
Steps for the "Follow" (Traditionally, the part for women) (Simply a mirror of the Lead's part)
(Rock Beat 1 - Step back with your RIGHT foot
step) Beat 2 - Step forward with you LEFT foot (to where you first started)
(Step) Beats 3 & 4 - Step with your RIGHT foot (right foot hits the floor on beat 3)
(Step) Beats 5 & 6 - Step with your LEFT foot (left foot his the floor on beat 5)
For "step, step, rock step" the beats, or counts, with the feet are the following:
Steps for the Lead (Step) Beats 1 & 2 - Step with your LEFT foot (left foot hits the floor on beat 1) (Step) Beats 3 & 4 - Step with your RIGHT foot (right foot his the floor on beat 3) (Rock Beat 5 - Step back with your LEFT foot step) Beat 6 - Step forward with you RIGHT foot (to where you first started) Steps for the Follow (Simply a mirror of the Lead's part) (Step) Beats 1 & 2 - Step with your RIGHT foot (right foot hits the floor on beat 1) (Step) Beats 3 & 4 - Step with your LEFT foot (left foot his the floor on beat 3) (Rock Beat 5 - Step back with your RIGHT foot step) Beat 6 - Step forward with you LEFT foot (to where you first started)
The non-rocking steps can be substituted with a triple step or double step "step-tap" or "kick-step" instead of a single step. This is often seen on dance floors during slower songs where the tempo makes the single step awkward. The most common result is a basic move of "rock step, triple step, triple step". However, other combinations are possible, such as "rock step, kick step, step". The most important part of any type of partner dancing, especially swing dancing, is something called frame. For swing dancing, each dance partner must counter balance the other's weight by mutually leaning back, slightly but still perceptively as if you were about to sit down into a chair. To keep each other from falling you have to have a good connection. During the basic step you can do this at least 2 ways:
1) In "open" position - you can make the connection by holding both of each other's hands.
2) In "closed" position - a connection can be made through the Lead's right hand between the
Follow's shoulder blades
If done properly both partners should be able to feel not only which foot the other person's weight is on but also what percentage of their weight is on which foot. Both partners should be able to feel where the other person's center of gravity is located and what its motion is. In addition, good frame will enable the Follow to know what the Lead is asking them to do. The Lead will know what the Follow is doing and will have a clear line of communication for telling the Follow what to do without yanking or jerking them around. This will make dancing easier and more enjoyable for everyone.
See also
