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The Swing Dance Beat
The World of Swing Dance music is one that encompasses many decades, styles and genres. Often a response to what was popular during the time, swing dance music has gone through, and continuous to go through an incessant evolution.
The Charleston, arguably the most popular swing dance, is usually associated with Ragtime. Most popular during the close of the 1890s up until about 1918, Ragtime is known as the first true American genre in music. Its 2/2 or 2/4 time meter was the result of the Ragtime being a modification of the march. Ragtime is best recognized for its melodic accents found between its carefully metered beats, resulting in a mishmash of harmony and disorganization all found in one song. Scott Joplin, was perhaps the most well known Ragtime composer and pianist. Later dubbed as the “King of Ragtime”, he was among the first to use the term swing when playing ragtime music. He was quoted as saying, “Play slowly until you catch the swing.”
The Lindy Hop is another form of swing that earned its popularity in 1927. Evolved from African American dances, it is not surprising that its music and beat would also come from the same source. The Lindy hop is danced to swing music or swing jazz. Originating from African rhythm, Swing music is a hybrid of mostly West African melody from the slaves and Western American music. This distinct style is recognizable by its lively beat, less emphasis on string instruments and a smaller number of instrumentalists and musicians. Later, experimentation, mainly in New Orleans, Kansas City and New York, gave birth to the popular jazz music.
A more modern version of the Lindy Hop, the West Coast Swing finds its beat in Pop, R & B, and the Blues. Country and Western music are also danced in swing dance. They are represented in the Push and Whip, and the Pony, other variations of the swing. These days, local DJs, dance teachers and coaches take from a wealth of sources to make each swing dance feel new, refreshing and exciting.
Every music lover is bound to find his favorite genre and incorporate it to the swing dance of his choice. This is further reason to explore the exciting world of swing dance and the many beats that revolve around it!
