What is Jitterbug?
It seems as though everyone you talk to has an answer such as Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Jive, or other of the Swing Dances. It depends on who you are talking to as to their definition of Jitterbug. The term Jitterbug was created in the 1930s. The people dancing to swing music were referred to as Jitterbugs - no matter what dance they were doing. Therefore, I rarely use the term Jitterbug. If I do, I am referring to Lindy Hop or am referring to all of the Swing Dances in general.
What are the differences between the swing dances?
The following indicates some of the basic differences between just a few of the swing dances. Please note that these are just some of the most obvious differences. There may be other differences. Also, there are many similarities which are not included here. The main purpose for including the following information is to help new people try to identify some of the swing dances.
East Coast Swing
Uses mostly 6 beat and some 8 beat Step Patterns. In Open Position, the follower normally does a [rock step] on counts [1 2] and may or may not move toward the Leader on counts [3 & 4]. The basic 6 beat Rhythm Units are EVEN, ODD, ODD. The basic 8 beat Rhythm Units being EVEN, ODD, EVEN, ODD.
West Coast Swing
Uses 6 and 8 beat Step Patterns. In Open Position the Follower normally walks directly toward the Leader on counts [1 2]. In Closed Position, there are two different basic styles. In the first style, the Follower does a [rock step] on counts [1 2]. In the second style the Follower walks forward away from the leader on counts [1 2]. The basic 6 beat Rhythm Units are EVEN, ODD, ODD. The basic 8 beat Rhythm Units being EVEN, ODD, EVEN, ODD.
Funk Swing
This is an advanced form of west coast swing dance that allows the leader or follower to extend patterns at will with their own interpretive styling to the music. The term Hijacking is sometimes used when the follower takes control throughout their interpretive extension of a step pattern. Leaders should use a feather light lead to give the follower as much freedom as possible.
Get Down Swing
This is a funky new form of swing dance created by H Leaon Raper. Its roots come from the Charleston and St. Louis Shag (AKA: Kenny Shag or Speed Shag). The uniqueness of Get DOwn Swing comes from a special funky new styling applied to the Odd Rhythm Units of the other swing dances such as West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, etc.
Lindy Hop
The original Lindy Hop came from the Charleston which was an 8 beat dance in its basic form. In appears that in the early 1930's, dancers found that step patterns from the 6 beat dances such as Shag could be integrated very easily with the 8 beat step patterns of Lindy Hop. This resulted in the new Lindy Hop you see in movies such as "A Day At The Races" (1937) with the Marks Brothers, and "Helzapoppin" (1941) with Frankie Manning.
A great deal of Lindy Hop can be accomplished using only 8 beat Step Patterns without ever doing a 6 beat Step Pattern. I do not teach 6 beat step patterns in my basic Lindy Hop Classes. I teach the original Lindy Hop.
In Open Position, depending on the particular Step Pattern, the Follower may either do a [rock step] on counts [1 2] or may stay out on count [1] and walk directly toward the Leader on count [2]. In Closed Position, the Follower will almost always do a [rock step] on counts [1 2]. The basic 6 beat Rhythm Units are EVEN, ODD, ODD. The basic 8 beat Rhythm Units being EVEN, ODD, EVEN, ODD.
Retro Swing
Uses mostly 6 beat with few 8 beat step patterns. Most dance instructors today are teaching a [Rock Step] [Kick Step] [Kick Step] version of East Coast Swing using counts [1 2] [3 4] [5 6]. When someone asks me for Retro Swing lessons, I teach Lindy Hop since its is a much more advanced form of dance than East Coast Swing forms.
Jive
Is a form of dance very similar to east coast swing, but normally very energetic, with lots of kicking - very similar to a good aerobic workout. The basic 6 beat Rhythm Units are EVEN, ODD, ODD. The basic 8 beat Rhythm Units being EVEN, ODD, EVEN, ODD.
