WALTZ | VIENNESE WALTZ | FOXTROT | TANGO | ROCK 'n ROLL | SWING | HUSTLE
Rock 'n Roll
A form of popular music arising from and incorporating a variety of musical styles, especially rhythm and blues, country music, and gospel. Originating in the United States in the 1950s, it is characterized by electronically amplified instrumentation, a heavily accented beat, and relatively simple phrase structure.
Jive includes a general rhythm: a 6-count rhythm – slow, slow, quick & quick. This basic step is shared with the East Coast Swing but the technique of dancing the two are different due largely to the faster speed of the music for Jive.
Characteristics
Today's Jive is a very fast and exciting dance with a highly stylized and precise "trained" look about it. At its highest level the Jive is an extremely athletic dance with flashy fast patterning, elastic muscle use and big stretched lines. The hip movement is not pronounced in Jive due partly to its great speed and the frame is outstretched and somewhat formal giving it a very upright and 'proper' look. The overall feeling in Jive is very buoyant into the ankles and feet. It has a pronounced downward 'bouncing' action in the supporting leg and a lightly lifted knee preceding each step giving the dance quite a 'leggy' look. Kicks in Jive are extremely fast with a rebounding elasticity in the leg muscles and sharply pointed feet.
Teaching Elements
Open Breaks - Fingertip lead and follow
Rotating - Learn to rotate left and right while keeping the basic rhythm
Footwork - Buoyant action in the ankles, feet and legs
Accenting - Rebound in leg muscles to create a sharp movement