Lindy Hop Vs West Coast Swing: What’s Different & what’s not?

If you are a beginner and looking to know about some basic things that make you struggle over and over again, this guide will tell you about some basic facts about west coast swing dancing and lindy hop dancing. In both dance forms, there are some things in common and some things are different. And this has become the big debate when people ask about country swing Northville and lindy hop.

Lindy Hop Vs West Coast Swing – Some Notable Facts

1.   Both lindy hop and country triple Northville dance forms are known for musicality and great improvisation and dancers really love both of them.

2.   In lindy hop and west coast swing dance forms, they both have pass, push, starter step, triple step and 8-count swing out/whip are included in basic moves.

3.   In the range of 90 to 130 BPM, you can dance social west coast swing. On the other hand, you can perform social lindy hop in 140 to 180 BPM range. Once this range goes faster than 200 BPM, lindy hop will gradually include additional balboa and Charleston steps, rather than just lindy hop at fast pace.

4.   Stretch connections are default in both west coast and lindy hop.

5.   Neither lindy hop nor west coast swing is androgynous. Simply speaking, for both follow and lead, the parts vary by feminine and masculine moves and style. In both dance forms, the lead acts in more stationary style. And virtually, the attention is more on the follow.

6.   Aerials are incorporated in the moves of both follow and lead.

7.   The dancers of west coast swing are popularly called and introduced as “westies”. Once upon a time, ‘westies’ was no more than a derogatory word that is named by the dancers who perform other styles. This term makes dancers of west coast swing unique and different from others.

8.   Expressed in 2 music beats, swing incorporates 3 different rhythms; single, double & triple. Throughout dancing, these rhythms are danced in both WCS and lindy hop. In each dance, the patterns of 6 to 8 counts are included.

9.   Lindy hop is particularly the source of west coast swing dance and they both are closely interconnected. Lots of factors and music changes were the major factors of their inception. But over the past couple of years, the dancers of both forms are introducing them different from other dancers in the world.  

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