East Coast Swing
Social Ballroom · Foundation
- Time signature
- 4/4
Social tempos vary widely; part of the skill is matching the size and style of movement to the music.
Origin
Born with the jazz of 1920s–30s America and the Harlem Renaissance, rooted in the Lindy Hop of the big bands — Ellington, Calloway, Goodman. Called Jitterbug by the mid-1930s; America’s greatest partner-dance export.
Music
4/4 time — up-tempo swing, from big bands to contemporary tunes.
Character
Bouncy and joyful — non-progressive, built on swing hip action, rock steps, and triple steps.
Figures
- 1
Basic Movements
Single · Double · Triple
- 2
Basic Turning Left & Right
- 3
Throwout
- 4
Underarm Turn Right & Left for Follower
- 5
Hand Change Behind Back
Elsewhere in Social Ballroom
Want to learn the East Coast Swing?
Every figure on this page is taught in the studio, one lesson at a time.