How to Swing Dance as a Beginner

As an educated swing dancer, I find it to be very rewarding when I am able to teach other people how to dance. Whether it be a specific move, line dance, or just a simple bit of technique, it is really important for beginners to know that they have someone that they can turn to.

Not only is swing dancing useful for college students, since it gives them something to do on campus, but it is also a very popular activity in society. With a few simple tips and tricks anyone can learn how to swing dance.

Peak Nights Country Swing

First up, when you are swing dancing, you need to find a partner. This is one of the hardest and most important steps in any style of dance, but it is especially essential in partner dancing.

1. Find a dance partner

You can find a partner almost anywhere...emphasis on the almost. When it comes to dancing, as long as you have a good partner, and you are having fun, then you are in good standing.

This can easily be done by just asking someone. If that scares you, there is always the option to go to any dance studio and watch to see if people know what they are doing and then ask them to teach you.

Not only is it a great way to find a dance partner, but it allows you to start a conversation with anyone.

2. Learn a few basics

Swing dancing can feel overwhelming, but once you figure out the basics, it is fairly easy to remember.

The basic starts with a rock step done while holding both hands with the lead's hands on the bottom and the follow's on the top. The rock step is done by stepping in with your right foot towards your partner and pivoting while swinging your arms out.

Once that has been mastered you can throw in a turn or two. From there, you can repeat the basic, or learn some other moves to throw in.

3. Try out a dip or a lift

Dips, lifts and flips can be done to embellish any dance. One move that can be done to add variety into a dance is the triple sweetheart.

From the basic, you put your follow in the cuddle, which is done by wrapping the lead's right arm in front of you and your follower. You spin the follow out and lunge to the left. Then you spin them out again and they jump up when they spin out.

The third time they spin out, you let go and catch them in a dip. Most of the time when doing a dip, you want to lunge or squat to make sure the weight is equally distributed and no one falls over.

They also allow you to plan out the next move you want to do because you can make the dip as long as you want.

This basic swing routine can be done almost anywhere. Swing Dancing does not have to be a difficult thing and it can be a lot of fun. As one of the best swing dancers I know once said, “With anything in life, you don’t have to know what’s going on to suddenly get good at it. Just go out there and try it.”