Blues Swing Shift

Swing Shift

Swing Vacation 2008 Videos

I recently was exposed to a ‘West Coast Swing Mixer Dance’ idea by Bobby Caudill of Tampa. This is a concept that hundreds of dancers around the country have probably thought about at sometime but never took the time to develop. Well, the time has come!

After studying his original step pattern for the mixer, I felt that while the concept was long overdue for our West Coast world, it should be a 32 (not 34) beat ‘phrased’ pattern, the ladies should be able to move around the floor and the partner transition should be much smoother than it was. Like any mixer or even line dance, these elements are essential for any potential growth and continued participation by the dancers to stay interested. So, I made a few minor adjustments to hopefully help the concept become the future popular dance that could help attract many new dancers to our ever growing West Coast Swing Community.

As far as music for the ‘Swing Shift’ goes? It would be nice to have a particular song that dancers would recognize as ‘the’ song to use as the mixer so they could ‘take the floor’ when it is played. However, I think, and feel all true WC dancers would agree, that after a short period of time, we would bore of the same song just as we always do in our quest to continually find new music to dance too. So, my thought, and recommendation is that in any area where the local dancers may hang out, those who learn the mixer simply start with 3 or 4 couples to ANY song they decide may work well, and get it started among themselves, welcoming any others who wish to join the circle. As many more variations of the mixer are designed over time, it becomes more intricate, interesting and fun as the ‘leader’ of an areas group can make ‘calls’ to integrate a new 32 beat step pattern. Very similar to the concept behind Salsa Casino, the variety of introduced ‘phrases’ would keep it interesting and exciting. Imagine the possibilities! And also imagine this happening in clubs all over the country where all the other club patrons see it happening and wanting to get involved. I think WCS classes, and therefore dances and events everywhere would experience a surge in popularity among the general public that is long overdue yet has eluded WCS for much too long.

Instead of the banal moniker of being a ‘mixer’, and since it could suddenly happen to any worthy song, and since it will lend itself to limitless possibilities of added phrases as well as the standard ones being ‘dressed up’ by the more experienced WC dancers, I think maybe the term “Break-Out’ as in … “Let’s start a Break-Out” would be an appropriate ‘call to the floor’ whenever a group decides to get a ‘switch’ started. It would be easily picked up by any other WC dancers who wish to join in any time due to the phrasing. There is a very basic phrase that I hope Instructors in every dance community will learn and teach to get their dancers started. From there, the possibilities, like the WCS itself, are endless. Even the standard phrase can be ‘mixed and matched’ depending on your partner as long as the phrasing ends the same time.

Good Luck….it’s time to ‘Break-Out’!

The Basic pattern:

The Setup: Man on the inside of the circle (Keep about 4 feet between couples)

1. A sugar push
2. Left side pass
3. Underarm turn (right-side pass)
4. Whip
5. Shift Partner Step*

*The Shift Partner Step which is walks in place on 1, 2 (with a slight torque lead), a release lead to the ladies left on the 3&4 that carries her left a few feet facing the crowd with a ‘french cross’ while the man steps to his left on the 4, and an anchor in place before beginning again with your new partner.

Even this very basic pattern has many variations of styles. As a quick change of look, we use an open tuck turn instead of left side pass, whip with an underarm turn and ladies full turn left as they shift on 3&4 on every other phrase.

The Blues version: Same as above but after the whip you add an open tuck turn and 6 beats of ‘play’ coming back before the lady exits on 3&4 and anchors…THEN you do the shift…the play can be anything but I show a kick-ball-change three times…the man sets up on his rail during the tuck turn on 5&6 and mirrors the ladies play, or can add his own for 6 beats. This effectively extends the ‘shift’ to 48 beats…Blues phrasing.

After intensive study on the ‘Swing Shift” idea, I’ve now designed a new Teaching System I believe will be the best way forward to learn this great Dance form in a group lesson or workshop format.

I’m hoping and expecting that as this method proceeds it will accelera’e the WCS learning process. I had used my previous system for the past 14 years with great success, constantly upgrading as new elements and theories were added over the years. THIS new concept however, I think will be an upgrade over anything currently being used in group lessons or workshops for the following reasons, and I probably haven’t thought of them all :

• All steps and patterns are good to use as partners without using as a mixer
• Helps dancers remember steps better thru levels by number and/or ‘theme’ recognition
• Shorter sessions to ‘target’ needs’
• Each Levels elements won’t have so much information crammed together
• Clearer understanding
• Allows more changing of partners in class without stopping
• Solidifies better execution thru more repetition during practice
• Promotes slot control and distancing
• Step pattern transitions get practiced more
• Leaders get accustomed to using basics between moves
• Reduces cramming moves into the dance
• Followers can concentrate more on their own ‘look’
• If short on leaders, followers will have a partner only 32 beats later
• Adds more FUN to learning
• Allows partners to integrate ‘styles’ independently without disrupting the pattern or phrasing
• Will help tremendously in learning ‘musicality’ as all elements are naturally ‘phrased’
• Still allows for and requires proper teaching technique so as not to detract from the essence of WCS
• Will help followers more quickly recognize ‘play’ opportunities and use them
• I will get to take the followers role more often to feel the leads

The Basic ‘Break-Out’ is fun…learning through the Swing Shift Method will be fun AND quickly rewarding.

• I found it best to teach the Shift immediately after the Sugar Push. This way, even after just learning a sugar push, students can keep switching partners after a few repetitions, but is always the last step for switching partners
• Instructors may add appropriate level ability variations in each level, teaching proper techniques throughout.
• Each level is designed as a 4 week group class.

• Level 1 – Open Basic & Whip
• Level 2 – Tucks & Turns
• Level 3 – Cuddle & Closed
• Level 4 – Sweetheart & Count extensions
• Level 5 – Play & Breaks

• These are the 5 Levels used to cover all of the standard elements utilized in WCS
• Many other Levels are used to add all moves, patterns, variations, styling, syncopations and the endless variety of steps and play that are constantly being added as this great dance form continues to develop.