BOOGIE/
EAST COAST SWING
The main difference between Rock n Roll
and Jive is that the Jive is danced with a combination of triple and double rhythm. Rock
n Roll has single and double units.
While triple units may be substituted for single units, and vice versa, note that
dance rhythms are based on actual weight changes and not simply on the number of beats of
music.
The music is written in 4/4 time. Two rhythm patterns for the basis of Jive. The
first is based on one bar of music or two dance units: a double and a triple. The second
is based on 1˝ bars of music or three dance units: one double followed by two
triples.
The counting is 1 2 - 3&4 - 5&6. There is also
a Double Rhythm Jive or Two Beat Jive, better known in the Philippines as Boogie,
where the triple rhythm is replaced by a tap step movement. The Double Rhythm
method is quite attractive, but is used only occasionally in ballrooms abroad as an
interpretative variation of rhythm while dancing the normal Triple Rhythm Jive.
In excess, the use of the Double Rhythm count gives an impression of laziness and
lack of musical interpretation of the Jive music.
In the Philippines however, where the much faster Boogie music of 50 or more bars
per minute is preferred, the Triple Rhythm Jive would be very difficult too perform by
amateur dancers, thus the prevalence of the Double Rhythm Jive.
The following figures and patterns are given in Triple Rhythm, which is used for
competitions and medal tests under the British Council of Ballroom Dancing rules, at a
tempo of about 44 bars per minute. The music can, of course, be played much faster or
much slower.
The hold is Normal Hold, but looser and more flexible, the arms being held a little
lower. The Open Hold, used a great deal in Jive, is a position where the lady and the man
are apart, the man holding the ladys right hand in is left hand, with arms just
above the waist level and not quite straight at the elbow.
Leading
Many of the movements are led through a tension in the mans arms, to
which the lady must respond by resisting with her arm muscles ready to feel his lead.
Unless the lady responds this way, it is impossible for the man to lead such figures as
the American Spin, therefore it is very important for the lady too remember never to
have floppy arms when the man is leading her into any figure.
The Jive Chassé
A group of three steps, taken forward, back, side (to right or
left), and turning. The actual movements of the feet should be kept very small.
Footwork
All steps are taken on the ball of the foot, with the heel just off (or
lightly) touching the floor. The weight of the body should be kept rather forward and not
allowed to fall back into the heels, and the knees are flexed naturally. The hips should
be kept free so that a very slight lateral lilt is felt as the weight is placed into the
foot, particularly when a Chassé is being danced sideways, as in
Basic Movement
Heel
leads on forward steps are not used, except very occasionally by the lady in advanced
Jive styles.
Alignment and
Direction
The Jive does not progress around the ballroom (apart from
the Walks), therefore the figures may begin facing in any direction.
As there are many different kinds of music suitable for Jive, individual
interpretations will vary from one dancer to another, and therefore the foot
placements
and amounts of turn given can only be considered approximate. The &
count is never accented by the Jive dancer as this gives a hurried and jerky impression to
the Chassés, but any of the other beats may be stressed according to the music being
played.
These are basically the figures used for International dancing (Modern Ballroom
Dancing by Victor Silvester).
|
Learn more about the
Universal Unit System from Ms. Skippy Blair's
DISCO
TO TANGO and BACK PLUS
|