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West Coast Swing
How Does One Dance West Coast Swing ?
People can learn to dance this rhythm at a level which matches their experience and goals:
• Beginners can master rhythm changes and some easy patterns from the Walk In, Dance Out lessons which prepare them for dancing in a social dance situation (lessons include the rhythms of Social Foxtrot, Single Swing, Waltz, Rumba, and Cha Cha). These lessons also prime folks with dance experience so they can excel in round dance classes.
• Round dancing provides opportunities to learn a tremendous variety of figures and sequences to expand knowledge in a fun, non-competitive setting with abundant opportunities for practice (“floor time” is essential). There are classes for beginners, even non-dancers (West Coast Swing begins at Phase 4), and for those wishing to expand their knowledge of West Coast Swing (Phases 5-6). Find an instructor near you. If one isn’t available, gather some friends and persuade a round dancer/instructor to teach you. Attending the ICBDA annual convention also provides an excellent opportunity to increase dance knowledge!
• Ballroom coaches offer group classes and personalized instruction to improve dancing technique and to prepare those desiring to compete (with opportunities for Novice, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and beyond).
Resources Available on This Website:
| A Teaching Cuesheet – “--” | |
| • Provides step-by-step instruction plus possible cues to use in round dance settings. • Explains movements which occur between steps. • Includes techniques to lead the various figures so partners dance as one unit. • Flags components (interchangeable parts used in many figures) which promises to make learning various figures and different rhythms less complex. • Describes techniques aligned with the character of West Coast Swing. • Includes sequences which can be used in a social dance situation. |
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| Supplemental Notes for “--” | |
| • Amplifies descriptions of the figures and components used in the teaching cuesheet. • Explains why some techniques are more helpful than others. • Suggests substitute techniques and/or figures which advanced dancers might use when dancing easier-level dances (technique practice is best with easier dances!). |
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| The Character of West Coast Swing | |
| • Timing patterns and the basic components. • Other characteristics which comprise the character of West Coast Swing. • Origins and history with video comparison demonstrating West Coast Swing evolution. |
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| West Coast Swing Figures and Sources for How to Dance Them | |
| • A chart of Roundalab standard figures, grouped by phases to: • Monitor learning progress in this rhythm. • Judge whether or not an unfamiliar cued routine might be personally danceable. • Sources for written and video information available online. • List of Clinic Notes from ICBDA Conventions and how to access them. |
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Other Round Dance Resources
• A video catalog is a data base with links to many West Coast Swing routines (select "WCS" at the bottom of the spreadsheet). Then select a dance title to see the video (the green 4 indicates the easiest dances) and the corresponding cuesheet is available by selecting "CS" on the same line. Scroll through the entire list to find dances at phase 5 and possibly 6. These are just a few of the many West Coast Swing dances in the round dance repertoire.
• An index of rounds provides ready access to cue sheets for many West Coast Swing routines. In the “Rhythm” window type “West Coast Swing” and the list appears. The latest dances submitted are at the top of the list. One can limit the search (for example by submitting a number in the Phase column or choosing a favorite choreographer). As soon as a selection has been made, the appropriate results appear.
• Clinic Notes from ICBDA Conventions featuring West Coast Swing.
• Cue Sheet Writing Guidelines, from Roundalab, provides information about how to read cue sheets.
• Roundalab also has a list of Abbreviations which are used in cuesheets.
• Sears' Website ( > Round Dance Manual and > Articles) and Worlocks' Website have information about how to dance this rhythm.