How do you jive dance

Many of its basic patterns are similar to those of the East Coast swing. Jive is one of the five International Latin dances, although it has an African-American origin.

Jive and East Coast swing share many figures, as well as the same music style and tempo. The basic look and feel of jive are that it is performed with lots and lots of energy, with the legs portraying a pumping action. Both the East Coast swing and basic jive consist of two triple steps and a rock step.

The jive differs in that the count begins with the rock step, which is counted "1, 2. Jive was first demonstrated by Cab Calloway in The name either comes from jive being a form of glib talk or from African dance terms.

Jive became a generic term for swing in the United Kingdom. Jive is a very happy, boppy, energetic dance, with plenty of knee-lifting, bending, and rocking of the hips. The fastest of the Latin dances , jive incorporates lots of kicks and flicks, even twirling of the woman, and doesn't move around the dance floor like other dances. Although jive dancers may appear to be moving their feet haphazardly in every direction, the feet are actually well-controlled under the body with the knees close together.

The basic jive step jive basic is a 6-beat pattern:. A few distinctive Jive steps:. Jive can be danced to swing music and jump blues in the tempo range of about beats per minute. Depending on the style preferred, Jive can be danced to a variety of upbeat music including Boogie-woogie, Swing and Rock and Roll.

The most important thing for beginners is to get familiar with the rhythm of the music. Listen to the drum line rather than the melody, the drum provides the beat. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Jive dancing is a fast and very spirited Latin dance, made popular in the s by young Americans who adopted the movements to fit with the emerging sounds of rock and roll. While there are many more complex movements in jive, some of which incorporate spinning or flipping the female dance partner, the basic movement is a well controlled, 6-count foot pattern that is actually easy to practice and eventually master.

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Learning how to jive can be easy once you master the beginning steps or basic movement. There are 6 counts to the basic movement, and the beat sounds like: a-4, 5-a Counts 5 and 6 are a triple step, or "chasse" to the right. The idea is to rock back on your back foot and then rock forward on your front foot, shifting the weight to your back foot and then to your front foot.

However, you should always lift your feet up as you shift the weight backward and then forward. It is an essential step to the jive. Part 2. Step backward with your left foot for the first count in the rock step.

Leave your right foot in place and shift your weight to the back left foot. This is the 1 count. Lift your right foot up and then place it down. This is the 2 count of the rock step.

Step to the side with your left foot. This is the 3 count, or the first count in the triple step to the left. Move your right foot to meet your left foot. This is the 4 count, or third count in the triple step. Step to the right with your right foot. This is the 6 count, or last count in the jive. Repeat the rock step and the triple step again, moving from left to right. Remember to use the a-4, 5-a-6 count. Part 3. Step backwards with the right foot for the first count in the rock step. Leave your left foot in place.

Step to the side with your right foot. This is the 3 count, or the first count in the triple step. Move your left foot to meet your right foot. This is the 4 count, or the third count in the triple step. Step to the left with your left foot. This is the 6 count, or final step in the jive. Practice the rock step and the triple step again, moving from right to left. Part 4. Always let the man lead.

Jive is danced with the woman and the man facing each other. The man leads the jive and the woman follows his movements. The man will start with his left foot and the woman will start with her right foot so that there is no bumping of knees and the dance moves smoothly. Face each other and place your arms in the closed position. There should be a looseness to the arm position. Move your body position so you both face slightly outward.