What kind of swing dancing do you teach? We teach Lindy Hop, the original partner swing dance from the '30s, as well as other classic swing dances such as Balboa and Charleston. We also have a passion for solo Jazz movement and Blues dancing. For more on swing dancing, please see the What is Swing Dancing? section on our website. What kind of music should I expect to hear at a dance or lesson? If I want to listen and practice at home, what kind of music should I get? The short answer is "jazz music that swings"! Lindy Hop is traditionally danced to Swing Jazz, which is most readily associated with the big bands and smaller jazz ensembles of the 1930s and 1940s. Examples of prominent artists include: Big Bands: Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway, Chick Webb, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Glenn Miller, Jimmie Lunceford, Lucky Millinder, and many more. Smaller groups: Billie Holiday, Cats and the Fiddle, Ella Fitzgerald, Fats Waller, Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Slim Gaillard, and many more. Do I need to be coordinated to dance Lindy Hop? If you can walk in the door of our studio, you are coordinated enough to learn Lindy Hop. If you are willing to learn, we are willing to teach you! The most important thing to have is a positive attitude. Is previous swing dancing experience required? No, previous experience is not required for most of our classes. In our introductory classes or private lessons, we will teach you the dance from the ground up. It's our goal as instructors that by the end of your first lesson, you will feel comfortable enough to step onto the social dance floor with a simple move or two under your belt. We will continue to build on your technique, movement and musicality throughout the entire series or subsequent lessons. How physically demanding is Lindy Hop? Lindy Hop is a very versatile dance and allows for athletic, dynamic dancing as well as smooth, groovy dancing. The only prerequisites for classes or private lessons are a basic level of physical fitness and comfort with light to medium physical activity. More advanced material may require a higher level of fitness and comfort with movement. If you have any concerns, please contact us and/or consult your physician. Do I need to sign up for lessons with a partner? No, you do not need to sign up with a partner. In our group classes, we encourage frequent partner rotation to enhance the learning experience. It is also a great way to meet new people. Whether you come alone or bring a friend, you should try dancing with everybody, both in class and in social dance settings. The greater variety of styles and levels of dancer you mix with, the better your dancing will become and more quickly you will learn. For private lessons, you also do not need to bring a partner, although it may be beneficial in that you would have the opportunity to practice with a regular partner in between lessons. What is "rotation" all about? What if I only want to dance with the person I came with? In our group classes, partner rotation is encouraged and generally expected unless a specific couple has requested otherwise. The main reason for this is that everyone leads and follows differently, and partner rotation in a supportive class setting helps you to understand these concepts more quickly in a deeper and more meaningful way. One way of thinking about it is that learning to dance with just one person tends to build a "dialect" of connection signals, whereas rotating teaches us the "language" that allows us to dance with everyone; in other words, not rotating means not learning nearly as much! Furthermore, rotating helps to create an atmosphere of democracy, community, and friendliness -- all important things to Lindy Hop, which is after all a social swing dance. However, we recognize that comfort is also important, especially for beginner dancers, and we'll let you decide whether rotating is for you or not. We recommend that you give partner rotation a shot for the first class, then see how you feel. If you have any concerns, please let us know (you can email, call, or talk to us before or after class) and we'll do our best to accommodate everyone. Do I need to buy fancy dance shoes? No, specialized dance shoes are not required. Athletic shoes (e.g. runners, sneakers) or shoes with leather soles are great choices. Shoes with a low heel are fine, but please avoid high, thin heels which are often uncomfortable and not very supportive, can cause injury both to yourself and your partner, and may very well scratch up our floors. If you are unsure, we suggest bringing a couple of different pairs and trying them out at the first class. Please make sure the soles of your "dance" shoes are CLEAN and NON-MARKING, so as to help preserve the good condition of our studio's sprung hardwood floors. We recommend bringing the shoes in which you intend to dance, and changing into them after you have arrived -- rather than dancing in your "street" shoes. This is especially important when it is raining, snowing, etc. Your cooperation is appreciated! What kind of clothes should I wear to class? You should wear clothing that is comfortable, breathable and allows body movement. Dancing is exercise, so be prepared to sweat! We suggest bringing an extra shirt to change into, for your own comfort and also out of courtesy for your dance partners. Additional hygiene tips: keep a small towel handy, layer your clothing, avoid sleeveless/backless shirts, apply deodorant before dancing/during breaks, and bring breath mints or chew gum. When do I get to learn how to throw my partner in the air?
Is it OK to learn both the leader's and follower's roles in dancing? Absolutely! Traditionally, in social partner dancing, men lead and women follow. At Limestone Swing, we are supportive if you would like to learn the "opposite" role, as it can help you better understand the lead/follow concept. If you have signed up for a lesson series as a leader or follower, we do recommend that you participate in the entire series in your chosen role, so as not to cause confusion while you are just starting out. After that, if you wish to re-take a lesson series as the "opposite" role, you are certainly welcome to do so. Is it OK to ask my teacher to dance? Again, absolutely! You should never feel intimidated in asking your teacher - or anyone! - to dance. When we dance with our students, we are not taking notes on what needs improvement (unless you specifically request our feedback ahead of time). We are just happy to be dancing with you! Copyright © 2012 Limestone Swing |