West Coast Swing
West Coast Swing · Level 4
- Time signature
- 4/4
Social tempos vary widely; part of the skill is matching the size and style of movement to the music.
Origin
A child of the Lindy Hop that grew up in California — smoothed out in the dance halls and studios of the 1940s and ’50s, and now the official state dance of California. Where East Coast Swing circles, West Coast dances in a slot.
Music
4/4 time — everything from traditional swing and blues to pop, funk, jazz, reggaeton, and hip-hop. The songs run a wide gamut, and the dance stretches to fit them.
Character
Elastic and smooth — a slotted dance of stretch and compression, with room to play with the music.
Figures
We go beyond figures at this level — we dive into the skills below and deep creativity in movement and partnering.
Mastery
- Refined counterbalance & elasticity
- Full body control
- Dynamic slot movement
- Complex sequences
- Dips & Tricks mastery
- Advanced improvisation
- Enhanced adaptability to all partners
- Superior floorcraft
- Polished presentation
Elsewhere in West Coast Swing
Want to learn the West Coast Swing?
Every figure on this page is taught in the studio, one lesson at a time.