An estimated less than 2% of all swing dancers have any accurate idea of what swing forms outside of their region look like (the vast majority of Northern swing dancers have never seen Shag; the vast majority of Southern Shaggers have never seen Jitterbug or Lindy Hop). Or else, they may have a distorted image based on observing an eccentric version of the dance.
Performance vs. Social Style: They can be quite different! Of course, everybody likes to show off once in a while (or more often, in some cases!) on the social dance floor, so there is an undeniable "performance" element in social dance. However, "real" performance not only involves many unleadable moves, but also extremely difficult, and even dangerous moves, the kind that one would never attempt in a social dance context, even with one's regular partner. Still, performance profoundly affects social dance. Creative perfomers pride themselves on unveiling totally new and neat moves; they will be immediately copied, made safe, or otherwise adapted to social dance by those so inclined.
In general, social dance is more about "feel" than about "look". Hence, social dance has more repetition, more "grooving" to the beat. Social dance also has more experimentation: spontaneously creating and attempting moves that may or make not work! Not only does performance swing dance have many more diverse moves in the space of a 3 minute dance (less repetition), but also an excess of flair, a greater abundance of dramatic moves than social swing. The adage "A mountain on stage looks like a mole hill to the audience." is relevant.
Artwork: William H. Johnson (1901-1970) Jitterbugs 1
Music: New musical styles tend to inspire new dance styles. Music for swing dance varies in tempo (deviations of as little as 20 beats per minute, or less, seem to give a different "feel"), texture (small to large ensemble, as well as instrumentation), and attitude(smooth, to funky, to gritty). Big Band Swing, Jump Swing, Jump Blues, Rockabilly, Doo Wop, Piano Boogie, Guitar Boogie, and Rhythm & Blues are the current musical styles for swing dance. There are some who enjoy (gasp!) Disco tunes for West Coast Swing and Shag, but those who are appalled far outweigh the rebels. (I say: "Whatever!") Anyway, dance styles reflect these musical genres.
Origins: Swing dance locates its roots in the spontaneous dances of gifted improvisers to the music of Ragtime Piano, Jump Blues, and Dixieland at the turn of the century. "The South" is the region of origin for this music, and hence the ultimate region of origin for swing dance.
Many popular partner dances of the western hemisphere owe their birth to creative and talented people of African origin: not only Swing, but also Tango and Salsa! The wild jumps, kicks, and goofy jazz moves of Jitterbug-Lindy, as well as the sleek, subtle, sexy "latin styling" of West Coast Swing are clearly traceable to black genius . Let us consider the anonymous individuals who, independently of each other, adapted European social dance partnering ideas (both courtly and folk) to free, expressive movement.
In addition, those so inclined drew upon the vast repertoire of complex footwork from the Irish and Balkan folk traditions. How are these influences transmitted? Moderately gifted dancers might see something only once for it to enter their repertoire. Seeing into the principles of the movements, they proceed to create totally new ones. These people don't need six weeks of classes!
Dancers: Willa Mae Ricker & Leon James, 1943
More? LINDY HOP, JITTERBUG: Savoy Style
Enough! Return to A Tribute to Dancing . . .