FAQ Beginners

Can I use my moves from another dance style?

Absolutely! WCS is the most flexible partner dance. It welcomes the introduction of ideas from other dance styles. There are lots of ways to convert your favourite moves.

But I saw people dancing West Coast Swing and it looked nothing like what I learned?

Well, there are two possible reasons for that. West Coast Swing is a constantly evolving dance that is always getting more diverse, more ergonomic, and more fun. Unfortunately, this makes it hard for most local dance teachers to keep current, so their material and teaching methods get outdated quickly, which means their students do too. You may have learned WCS from an outdated source and the dancers you observed were current, or vice versa. The other possibility is that you may have been watching dancers from another area of the continent dancing a regional style of WCS.

I did Swing in school...is it the same thing?

Probably not. Schools usually bring in instructors to teach Lindy Hop or East Coast Swing and label it "Swing" or "Jive". But just be glad you didn't have to Square Dance! Get info on how to bring Swing to your school

I saw Swing dancing in a movie...is it the same thing?

Nope. You probably saw Lindy Hop, which is the media's ignorant blanket representation of Swing. WCS is more smooth, funky, sexy, and unfortunately, more underground. But we're working on bringing it to the mainstream.

How does it compare to other dance styles?

One could argue that there is no comparison...but for the sake of answering your question, see the pretty chart on the THE DANCE page.

Is there competition? Do I have to be really good to compete?

There are competitions available for every level of dancer - newcomer to pro. You only have to know your basics, which means you could compete after 6 weeks of training or 6 years! You are only ever competing against people of your same level. As you get more advanced, there are competitions for choreography, but it's all optional.

I have lots of technical dance training. Is this an advantage or disadvantage?

This is an advantage. Anyone who tells you otherwise doesn't have the training to communicate to you exactly HOW. It is a common misconception that ballet and jazz will "taint" or "ruin" your ability to learn Swing. That's a load of crap. Just like university teaches you how to think (regardless of the subject area), dance training teaches you how to manipulate your body (regardless of the dance style). In short, dance training will make you a quicker learner. Yes you will have some habits to change, but that is the case for all dancers, trained or not.

I heard it was hard to learn?

The WCS techniques are different from other partner dances, but not harder. All of the techniques are based in sound biomechanical principles so the dance is meant to feel natural and ergonomic. This should make it easy right from day one. If it's a struggle for you, switch instructors.

How do I choose an instructor?

READ THIS ARTICLE BEFORE CHOOSING AN INSTRUCTOR

Does it matter where I take lessons?

YES. It's like playing pin the tail on the donkey with the phone book. You could get an ace professional, you could get a hack. Like you would with any professional service, do your research. Tell you what, we'll show you how: Click here to read an article on how to choose an instructor.

Why is it called West Coast Swing?

The guy who started the style, Dean Collins, moved from New York to California to work in Film. In order to define it from the Lindy Hop that was being done in New York, people called it Western Swing. Then they changed the name so it wouldn't be confused with Country-Western.

I thought Swing was a Country Dance?

Nope. Swing is a family of dances separate from Country dancing. The Country dance world adopted East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing into their competition lineup, and modified the dances to fit the Country music & movements. You can dance it to Country music, but it's not a Country dance.

Don't you have to dance to old school Big Band busic from the 1950's?

Nope. You're thinking of Lindy Hop, Jive, or Rock & Roll. When WCS was developed, it focussed more on Blues. The most versatile partner dance, WCS follows the popular music of each decade. Today, it is mostly danced to Blues, Top40, and R&B.

I thought Swing was a Ballroom dance?

Nope. Swing is a family of dances separate from Ballroom. In the 1950's ballroom studios modified it to fit their syllabus and marketed their own version of Swing (East Coast Swing) to draw in more customers. Today, Jive is one of the competitive Latin/Rhythm dances, but it is just one of many styles of Swing. Ballrooom studios now offer West Coast Swing, but this version varies quite a bit from authentic WCS.

I've got 2 left feet

Isn't it expensive?

Don't I need a partner?

Guys will think I'm a wimp.

Can you do it in a Club?

Do I need to dress up?

My boyfriend doesn't dance.

I heard it was hard to learn?

How do I choose an instructor?

Does it matter where I take lessons?

Why is it called West Coast Swing?

I thought Swing was a Country Dance?

Don't you have to dance to old school Big Band music from the 1950's?

I thought Swing was a Ballroom dance?

Can I use my moves from another dance style?

But I saw dancers doing WCS and it looked nothing like what I learned?

I did Swing in school - is it the same thing?

I saw Swing in a movie - is it the same thing?

How does it compare to other dances?

Is there competition? Do I have to be really good to compete?

I have lots of technical dance training - is this a an advatage or disadvantage?

I've got 2 left feet!

No problem! That's what lessons are for! Of all the partner dances, West Coast is a very non-strict dance where creativity and freedom are encouraged! A sports or music background are assets, but not necessary.

Isn't it expensive?

No! With good instruction, West Coast is a dance you can learn and use immediately in a club scene. It's cheap fun, too - $10 per lesson or per cover charge for most dances.

Don't I need a partner?

No! You don't need a partner to take classes with: 80% of dancers are single. Classes rotate partners - you'll meet lots of fun people there! You're actually expected to show up single. But feel free to learn with a friend.

Guys will think I'm a wimp.

If your guy friends can't handle the idea of you learning to make women swoon and line up for a 3 minute chance to be in your arms...who's the real wimp?

Can you do it in a Club?

Hell yeah! Dance it to anything, anywhere, except hard-core Rap or Metal. Unless you really want to...

Do I need to dress up?

Nope. Wear what you would wear if you were going to a club. Dressy-casual (jeans or dress pants and a nice top) will do just fine.

My boyfriend doesn't dance.

Ah, yes, that is an unfortunate stereotype. He is probably concerned that he is going to feel self conscious about not being good at it right away. Settle his concerns by mentioning that everyone has to start somewhere, and that all the dancers in the class are newbies too. You can challenge him by asking, "How do you know you're not going to like it until you've tried it?" It might help to suggest that you take private lessons together first before going out in public.

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