Origins

East Coast Swing is a dance style that was developed in the 1940s from the Lindy Hop as a popular American folk dance. It was first called the Eastern Swing and then later referred to as the Jitterbug or the Triple Swing. It is one of the most popular swing dances and is known as one of the easiest styles to learn. The American Society of Dance originally rejected this popular style of dance early on due to it acrobatic movements. In the 1950s, Lauré Haile altered the original version of this dance from an eight-step to a modified version of the Foxtrot with a six-step pattern.

Variations

There are many variations of the East Coast Swing, and it also has a variety of different names including: Jive, Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, and Charleston. It is traditionally performed with big band style songs but can also be danced to pop and country songs.

East vs. West Coast

There are two basic swing dance styles: West Coast Swing and East Coast Swing. West Coast Swing is danced with partners to slower, more steady music. It has a distinctive look that comes from extension and compression techniques between partners. It also allows room for improvisation and creative freedom. East Coast Swing is danced in single, double, and triple time signatures/rhythms. The East Coast Swing can be danced to any basic speed of music. Jive is a popular example of a variation regarding triple-time East Coast Swing.

The East Coast Swing is comprised of a six-count basic step that can be danced in either single time or triple time. A relaxed shuffling movement upper body movement is also a main feature of this dance. Swing does not move along the line of dance, which allows free rhythmic interpretation. The dance style is now featured in modern competitions and dance studios everywhere.