Blues Style West Coast Swing

Contemporary music has legato (smooth, ooey-gooey, connected) beats.

Blues, rock, and country songs have bouncy beats.

Pop music has staccato (high-energy, detached, short, detached) beats.

General Elements #

• Soften the knees to lower your height by 1 inch. Do not lock your knees if possible.
• Bounce to the beat. Have a pulse, like in Lindy Hop.
• Do hitch steps on sugar pushes, side passes, etc.
• Do kick-ball-changes.
• Do feet taps on folds.
• Replace left-side tuck pass anchors with right foot swivels.

Blues starter step #

Start in a closed position.

On 1, step at 4:30 with the left foot behind right foot; lift right foot; push follower away. On &, replace right foot; lift left foot; pull follower closer. On 2, replace left foot at origin; stop pulling the follower closer, slower her down.

On 3 step at 7:30 with right foot behind left foot; lift right foot; push follower away. On &, replace left foot; lift right foot; pull follower closer. On 4, replace right foot at origin; stop pulling the follower closer. Slow her down.

On 5 repeat the starter step or begin a new sequence.

The footwork looks like a basic cumbia step, minus the push-pull.

Blues whip #

Start in an open position. On B