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6 count basic (rhythm and footwork)
6 count swing is an easy starting place. Get dancing quickly with this series of basic steps, rhythm, connection, and moves. Many great modern Lindy Hoppers started with 6-count in their first classes to get oriented and comfortable on the dance floor. In this first lesson, we cover the basic 6 count rhythm and footwork. Get comfortable with it on your own so you can do it easily with a partner.
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The Jockey
The Jockey is the basic 6 count rhythm in closed position with a partner. It’s a great starting place for syncing up rhythmically with a partner and feeling how the dance feels while connected to someone. We often start our dances with a jockey to feel connected before getting crazy.
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Tuck Turn, Pass By & Pull In
These three foundational moves will be a solid part of your swing dance vocabulary forever. Consider learning them as both a leader and follower to really understand every detail and get the most out of your 6 count swing.
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Improvisation Techniques
Improvisation is the key to good social dancing. This lesson gives you some techniques to make improvised social dancing feel natural and helps you understand the subtle but clear differences in leading and following your basic vocabulary.
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Cuddle & Leader’s Sneak
Two more important and classic 6 count swing moves. The cuddle is a sweet position that is useful for many more advanced moves later on, and the leader’s sneak has just a tiny bit of flash.
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6 Count Swing Music Demo
Watch, copy, then put on some music and practice until you have mastered the full 6 count vocabulary. You can even try to make up some of your own moves. Everything is legal as long as you stay in rhythm!
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Modules
Intro to 6 Count Swing
Intro to 8 Count Lindy Hop
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8 Count Footwork
The 8-count triple step footwork pattern forms the basis of Lindy Hop. Learn it, love it, and live it. Practicing the footwork solo is an important step before the challenge of touching/connecting to a partner. You must earn the right to touch a partner by doing the solo practice first.
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Follower & Leader Yo-Yo
The Yo-Yo helps create the framework for the Swing Out and other classic moves. It’s great for partner technique and rhythm practice and may not be all that common on the social dance floor, however, it is essential for building up to the vocabulary to come.
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The Swing Out
The Swing Out is the most important Lindy Hop move you will ever learn, and something even the most seasoned professionals continue to refine and experiment with. A good Swing Out feels delicious, dynamic and full of possibility. This is one of those lessons that even if you think you have got it mastered, watch it two or three more times before moving on.
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Swing Out from Closed Position
Swinging out from the closed or jockey position the most common way to start a dance or transition from the 6-count footwork to 8-count (More on this on the 6, 8 and charleston transition lesson).
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Swing Out with an Inside Turn
The inside turn is one of the easiest Swing Out variations. Once you learn to line up your shoulders with your partner on count 3 and 4, you will have the technique to do literally hundreds of Swing Out variations, including this one.
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Swing Out with an Outside Turn
What goes up, must go down, and what goes in must go out. This turn feels great and can become very flashy when well executed. It takes a little more attention to the connection of the leader’s hand on the follower’s back to make this move smooth and effortless.
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The Lindy Circle
Using the Swing Out we can also return to our Closed or Jockey position by circling it up. Body positioning is key so make sure you focus how you are lining up with your partner to make this move fluid and comfortable.
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Switches
This follower’s styling variation of the Swing Out is as beautiful as it is classic. Switches are a fun, powerful and playful styling choice for followers.
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Mini Dip
This move needs a hint of pattern recognition, a dash of rhythmical precision, and a handful of musicality! The Mini-Dip is a classic move commonly taught by the late Frankie Manning at his workshops. Thanks to Frankie, this move has become a standard anywhere that swing is danced a great phrase ender.
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The Points
One of Lindy Hops beloved moves that combine visual leading and following techniques, as well as rhythmical precision and a lot of personality. This move is a must-know for getting silly on the social floor.
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8 Count Lindy Hop Music Demo
All of the Intro to 8 Count Lindy Hop moves danced to music.
Intro to Partner Charleston
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Side by Side Charleston
The Charleston rhythm was part of the musical and dance evolution that brought us the Lindy Hop and is a very important part of the rhythmical and movement vocabulary of any swing dancer. In any given social dance you many variations of the Charleston rhythm mixed in with 6 and 8 count steps are used. The Side by Side Charleston is the best starting point when trying Charleston with a partner.
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Pendulum Kicks
The pendulum kicks are a simple and sweet variation on Side by Side Charleston.
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Kick Ups
Also known as “Kick the Dog” or “Skip Ups”, Kick Ups end with a big flashy kick to the front. It’s a great move to use to finish a musical phrase after doing some side by side Charleston and Pendulum kicks.
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Tandem Charleston
Tandem Charleston can take a moment to get used to as it requires the follower to feel the lead without being able to see the leader. Both roles should feel confident with their basic Charleston rhythm. Do it small at first until you find the flow with your partner.
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Tandem Push Out
The Tandem Push Out is an easy variation of the basic Tandem Charleston.
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Tandem Entrance
It’s good to know where you are going before you get there, that’s why we teach the entrance after you have had a chance to practice the Tandem itself. This flashy entrance uses everything you have learned so far from the Side by Side to the Kick Ups and then a turn into Tandem.
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Tandem Exit
This Tandem exit brings you into open position and is a great option for transitioning into another rhythm (6 count or 8 count) or you can get back to closed position and keep up the Charleston.
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Partner Charleston Music Demo
All of the Intro to Partner Charleston moves demonstrated to music.
Transitions between Basic Rhythms
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6 ct, 8 ct, & Charleston Transitions
In the beginning, transitioning between different rhythms and different moves can be difficult and intimidating. However, progress is impossible without failure. We like to think of it as “Fail Forward”. With time and experience, these transitions will become easier. Practice, laugh, smile, and repeat!
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Leading and Following Basic Transitions
In the beginning, transitioning between different rhythms and different moves can be difficult and intimidating. However, progress is impossible without failure. We like to think of it as “Fail Forward”. With time and experience, these transitions will become easier. Practice, laugh, smile, and repeat!
