Difference Between East Coast and West Coast Swing

East Coast vs West Coast Swing

 

East coast swing and west coast swing are two types of swing dances that have differences between them. Although both are six-count dances, there are differences in their techniques. Both can be viewed as a social partner dances. East Coast Swing is a quick rhythmic social dancing variety for which jazz music is used. On the other hand, West Coast Swing is also a type of swing dancing that allows the partners to improvise on the dance floor. This creates an ambiance for the partners to break away from strict steps and techniques to add their spin into the dance. One of the main differences that we can identify is these two types of dancing is that while East Coast dance is considered energetic and characterized by rock steps, West coast swing dancing is considered as more sensual when compared to east coast swing dancing. Through this article let us try to understand the difference between these two types of dancing while gaining a better understanding of the two varieties of swing dancing.

What is East Coast Swing?

First let us start off with East Coast Swing. East coast swing is also known by the name of jitterbug. Swing originated primarily from east coast. It is interesting to note that east coast swing is danced to jazz music and big band. It is believed that east coast swing gave rise to Lindy hop that is considered an eight count dance. East coast favors big band and fast rock. It is quite natural that in social dancing you would find people mixing both these varieties of dance. There is an admixture of east coast swing and west coast swing forms of dance in social dancing. East coast dance is considered energetic and characterized by rock steps. Experts say that it is easier to learn east coast swing and hence it is recommended for the beginners. In a way, it is a standard ballroom dance.

What is West Coast Swing?

West Coast swing is the ballroom’s method of codifying east coast and Lindy forms of dancing. This is also known as Western Swing. It is important to note that West coast swing is performed in a slot. West coast swing is looked upon as a dance that is slower than the east coast swing. It is more upright in character. West coast swing favors slow rock and rhythms & blues. It favors country music too sometimes. West coast swing dancing is more sensual when compared to east coast swing dancing. Experts consider that the west coast swing dance evolved from Lindy Hop. It evolved during a period when swing form of dance began to decline. Lindy hop is not be confused with either east coast swing or the west coast swing. Lindy hop is another kind of swing dance for that matter. This highlights that between the East Coast Swing and the West Coast Swing we can identify many differences. Now let us summarize the difference in the following manner.

What is the Difference Between East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing?

• Swing originated from the East Coast, which highlights that it is through this initiative that all forms of swing dances came into being.
• East coast swing is danced to jazz music and big band whereas west coast swing is performed in a slot.
• East coast favors big band and fast rock whereas west coast swing favor slow rock and rhythms & blues.
• East coast dance is considered energetic and characterized by rock steps whereas West coast swing dancing is more sensual when compared to east coast swing dancing.

Image Courtesy:

1.”Jitterbug dancers NYWTS” by New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer: Fisher, Alan, photographer. – Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection. [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons 

2.”Jordan&Tatiana Classic West Coast Swing” by Goel land  [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons