Let’s Spice your dancing up with extra Latin Styles! Here are what you can do with the ...
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| internet source: Jig Walks |
THE SWING FAMILY
Comb
The Jive Comb typify the Rock n Roll style, despite the fact that it was already used 20 years before the Rock n Roll era in the Lindy Hop. Teddy Boys were renowned for the care they took over their hair, which involved frequent combing, hence the name of this classic figure. As usual, the couple have danced the Rock first. The man is now standing on the RF and the lady on LF, the couple is in a RH to RH hold ready to Comb.
Man
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Lady
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S
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Rock to the side onto the LF towards the lady, lifting the RH over head as if combing hair…
end w/ the RH at R shoulder
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S
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Rock fwd onto the RF toward the man, allowing him to raise RH over his head…
it is comfortable to turn slightly to the L to a SS position.
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S
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Rock to the side onto the RF away from the lady, releasing the RH and allowing the lady’s RH to slip down arm to his LH, where man resume hold.
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S
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Rock backward ontot he LF, sliding the RH down the man’s L arm to resume hand hold.
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QQ
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Dance the usual rock steps, resuming an open facing position.
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QQ
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Dance the usual rock steps, resuming an open facing position. End standing on the LF.
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** Style Tips: While it is typical of 1950s style Rock n Roll for the man to lean back a little on Steps 1 & 2 of this move, the freer and more expressive style of Lindy Hop promoted much more personal interpretation, even allowing the man’s upper body to incline much more fwd during this move.
Arm Breaker
This is the move that everyone wants to be able to do. In Jive, it is called the Apache Spin and in the Lindy Hop, it is the Texas Tommy. In Rock n Roll, Arm Breaker. When danced at full speed, the Arm Breaker is quite spectacular. Start in an open position w/ the lady’s RH in the man’s L. Having just danced the Rock, the man is standing on RF while lady’s on LF. During the whole figure, at least a half turn to R should be made.
Man
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Lady
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S
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Rock fwd onto the LF, starting to turn to the R and leading the lady towards man’s R side. Then, still holding the lady’s RH in his L, place both hands behind her back at waist level.
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S
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Rock fwd onto the RF, toward the man’s R side.
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Q
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Cross the RF behind LF, turning the R toe and knee out and continue turning to the R. Transfer the lady’s RH from LH into RH and start to pull downward w/ RH, leading lady to turn to the R.
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Q
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Take very small steps on Steps 2 & 3 so to dance on the spot. Standing on the RF, turn to the R and step to the side onto the LF, allowing the man to move her R arm behind her back.
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Q
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Step to the side onto the LF, continuing to turn to the R and still pulling down w/ the RH until the lady has ‘unwind’.
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Q
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Continue to unwind and step onto the RF
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Continue w/ a Triple Step or Chasse which comprises three steps danced to two beats of music
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Q
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Step to the side onto the RF
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Q
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Step to the side onto the LF
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&
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Half close the LF to the RF
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&
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Half close the RF to the LF
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Q
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Step to the side onto the RF
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Q
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Step to the side onto the LF
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QQ
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Dance the Rock Steps
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QQ
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Dance the Rock Steps
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Arm Breaker w/ Triple Spin
An even flashier, but more advanced finish is for the lady to dance a Triple Spin while the man dance the Triple Step or Chasse. Just w/ some modifications:
Man
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Lady
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SQQ
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Same as regular Arm Breaker. Raise the R arm above the lady’s head at the end.
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SQQ
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Same as regular Arm Breaker
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Q
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Lower the R arm, leading the lady to spin ½ turn.
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Q
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Spin a ½ to end facing the man
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&
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Raise the R arm, leading the lady to spin another ½ turn
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&
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Spin a ½ turn to end backing the man
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Q
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Lower the R arm, leading the lady to spin a final 1/2
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Q
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Spin a final ½ turn to end facing the man and relax.
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QQ
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Dance the Rock Steps
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QQ
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Dance the Rock Steps
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** Tips: The man must lead but not wait for the lady to complete the spins on her own. By raising and lowering the arm on the appropriate counts, he will assist the lady to turn in time. Lady should allow the man to lead her to make three spins. Keep the feet apart and legs braced throughout.
Jig Walk
A classy figure whose origins in the wild moves of the Lindy Hop; equally at home in Boogie-woogie and Rock n Roll. Preceded by basic & should practice w/ care to avoid damage during the simultaneous kicking btwn their partner’s legs.
Man
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Lady
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Q
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Holding the lady quite close, lift the L knee and kick the LF out and downward, keeping the foot loose.
L leg will be above the lady’s R leg during the kick.
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Q
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The man’s adoption of a close hold indicates the Jig Walks. Lift the R knee and kick the RF out and downward, keeping the foot loose.
R leg will be below man’s L leg during the kick.
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Q
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Step onto the LF
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Q
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Step onto the RF
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Q
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Lift the R knee and kick the RF out and downward, keeping the foot loose.
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Q
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Lift the L knee and kick the L foot out and downward, keeping the foot loose.
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Q
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Step onto the RF. Retention of the close hold will indicate another four counts of the Jig Walks.
Otherwise, continue clearly intot he back, replace steps.
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Q
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Step onto the RF.
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**Tips: Once learned, you can do the multiple Jig Walks, rotating them on the spot in a CW direction.
part 1- The SWING Family (you are here)
part 2- The MAMBO Family
part 3- The CUBAN Dances
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part 1- The SWING Family (you are here)
part 2- The MAMBO Family
part 3- The CUBAN Dances
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