Top Ten Tips to Becoming a Great Swing Dancer

Are you a beginner, eager to do the cool moves you see everyone else doing, but you only know three moves? Here’s my advice to beginner swing dancers on how to get good fast:

1. Go social dancing as often as possible!

Just taking a lesson once a week won’t cut it. You’ll forget everything you learned before the next lesson. When I started I was a total fanatic and went swing dancing four or five times a week. OK, maybe you don’t have to be that insane, but you should go out at least twice or three times a week. Check this site’s Lindy Calendar and Lindy map to find events near you.

2. Take lessons – especially private lessons!

It’s true that some great dancers just learned by going out and having people teach them (more follows than leads), but I think lessons are always helpful and sometimes crucial depending on your natural dancing ability. And don’t just take lessons from one teacher – try many teachers and learn many styles. Many venues have free lessons before the dance – take them. See my links to recommended instructors and classes. After you’ve got the basic steps down, take private lessons!! Private lessons will transform your dancing. Just be prepared to work on the basics that you thought you already knew.

3. Go to a swing camp, Lindy exchange or weekend workshop.

These have intense all-day class schedules that will really jump-start your swing dancing fast! Think of them as swing dance boot camps. They usually have dances at night which have really advanced dancers and contests to inspire you. The best and biggest one in Southern California is Camp Hollywood. But there are Lindy exchanges going on all over the country year-round. Search on Google for the cities near you. You will be a MUCH better dancer after each one of these, I guarantee it!

4. Learn the basics and get them solid. Do NOT learn a bunch of aerials when you are beginning!

It’s considered uncool to do aerials on most social dance floors unless you’re in a jam circle or contest, and dancing with a partner who you’ve practiced with. Don’t lead aerials unless you’ve practiced them beforehand with your follow (a lot).  Instead, concentrate on learning the basics. I know this sounds boring, but the regular dancers you encounter will notice your efforts. Couple other tips: New swing dancers tend to take big steps, especially on the rock-step. Take small steps! Second, avoid rushing. Beginners are usually nervous and rush through moves. Take the all of the allocated beats to finish your move (you have more time than you think!). If you are a follow, instead of learning a bunch of moves, learn how to follow. Then you can do any move the guy leads. Also, followers, don’t try to read the leader’s mind and anticipate the move. Just follow what the leader physically leads you to do (along with following the music of course).

5. Dance with a variety of people – not just your partner

You need to dance with different people to become a good leader or follower. If you dance with the same person all of the time, you won’t be leading or following. You’ll know all of each other’s moves and will just be anticipating them. Ask other people to dance, and accept when other people ask you.

6. Watch good dancers when you go out, online, and anywhere else you can

Try to copy them. Look at their styling. Try to work out their moves. It will rub off on you in time. Contest footage is usually available on YouTube mere days after the event (or even the same day). I remember when getting good swing dance videos was so difficult – there is no excuse now!

7. Make a video of yourself dancing… and watch it

Watching yourself on video can be very revealing. It can be painful to watch, but it will help you identify problems and do wonders for your dancing.

8. Listen to lots of swing music

You’ll get familiar with the structure, breaks, and rhythms. There is nothing cooler than knowing when a break is coming up and hitting it with a quick stop!

9. Ask advanced dancers to teach you a cool move that you see them do

They will be flattered and you might get a free mini-lesson. I was always delighted when someone asked me to show them a move I did. This is a great way to build up your repertoire of good moves, as well as gain friends in the swing scene!

I don’t see this happening much anymore, but it happened a lot at the Derby.

10. Have fun and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

Swing dancing is about having fun. If you don’t mess up at least one move per dance, it probably means you weren’t challenging yourself enough.

If you are an experienced dancer, please comment below with any other advice you have for beginners! – Brian