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Class Notes: Improver Lindy Hop

Here are some notes to help jog the memories of those cool cats continuing their life long addiction to Lindy with the Improver Class

Terms and Concepts
Connection
32 versus 48 count Swing
Breaks
Freeze

PART ONE

Connection
Connection is the heart and soul of good dancing. It exists on several levels:
1. Connecting with yourself.
2. Connecting with your partner, both physically and emotionally
3. Connecting with the other dancers on the floor
4. Connecting with the music.

Swing Music and Its Interpretation
1. Swing music is put together in recognizable patterns:

2. "Hitting a Break" is the first way most Lindy Hoppers learn to begin interpretting swing music.

Hitting the Break
1. Listen to the song and anticipate an upcoming break.
2. "Hit the Break" by Freezing or improvising a shine beginning on the first beat of the Break.
3. Beginning dancing again on the phrase after the Break.
4. A "Stomp Off" on the &8 can also be used to signal the beginning and ending of a Break.

PART TWO

Lindy Turn Variations for the Lead
The Lindy Turn can be interpretted many different ways. Lindy Hop communities in different parts of the United States each have their own particular variation of the Lindy Turn. Some of the common variations for the Lead include:
1. Hook Step. On 5, hook the right foot behind the left foot. On 6, step to the side with the left foot. Complete the 360 degree turn with the triple step on 7&8.
2. Step Through. On the 5, step across with the right foot in front of the left foot. On the 6, pivot and step with the left foot, completing the 360 degree turn. Finish with a triple step on the 7&8.
3. Down the Line. On the 5, step backward with the right foot down the line. On the 6, pivot and step forward with the left foot, again down the line, completing the 360 degree turn. Finish with forward triple steps on the 7&8.
Note: These variations are not led or followed but are initiated by the Lead alone. It is important for the Lead to "let go" on 5 in order to allow the Follow to execute their own variations. Leads should adapt to their Follow's variations and vice versa.

Lindy Turn Variations for the Follow
Some of the common variations for the Follow include:
1. Step Across. On 5, step forward on left foot. On 6, step across with the right foot in front of the left foot. Complete the 360 degree turn with the triple step on 7&8.
2. Step Pivot. On 5, step forward on left foot. On 6, pivot clockwise and step behind with right foot, completing the 360 degree turn. Finish with the triple step on 7&8.
3. Walk, Walk. On 5, step forward on left foot. On 6, step forward on right foot, staying in a slot. Turn 180 degree during the triple step on 7&8, completing the turn.
Note: These variations are not led but are initiated by the Follow alone. Follows should adapt to their Lead's variations and vice versa.

Lindy Turn Variation: Heels
Many variations for the 1,2 also exist. Heels is a basic one.
1. On 1, rise on your heels, raising your toes, bending forward at the waist. and swinging your free arm backward. On 2, come down on your feet, transfering weight to one foot in preparation for the triple step on 3&4.
2. Heels can be initiated by either partner and does not have to be done simultaneously.

PART THREE

Pushout
1. Led by change of Lead's hand position on 1,2 followed by gentle forward pressure on 3.

Lindy Turn with an Outside Turn
1. Led by change of Lead's hand position on 3 followed by raising on hand and gentle pressure on Follow's back on 5.

PART FOUR

Tandem Charleston
1. Led by the "rear" partner "driving" the "front" partner's hands.
2. Styling should be low (horizontal), with travelling kicks, and a slight bounce.
3. Keeps kicks low for safety.
4. Looks best when partner's are "sandwiched' and match each other's styling.

Getting into the Tandem Charleston
There are many different ways to get into the Tandem Charleston. Here's one:
1. From side by side position, lead a 6 count Tuck Turn: (1,2 Rock Step, 3,4 Tuck, 5,6 Turn).
2. After this, lead an 6 count Inside Turn and exchange hands (1,2 Rock Step, 3,4 and 5,6 Turn).
3. Then lead the Follow into the Tandem using a 4 count "link" (1,2 Rock Step, followed by bringing her right arm close to her side as you turn her on the 3,4.
4. This whole sequence takes up 16 counts and keeps you on the phrase (6 + 6 +4).

Getting out of the Tandem Charleston
There are many different ways to get out of he Tandem Charleston. Here's one:
1. Do a Butterfly: 1,2 Rock Step, 3,4 Raise both hands high as you tap with the left foot. (Let go with the left hand as you lead her into a Rock Step as she turns towards you on the next 1,2 below)
2. On the 1,2 you both Rock Step, followed by a Reverse Tuck Spin (3,4 Tuck, 5,6 Spin).
3. Finish with an 6 count Inside Pass/Return Exchanging Places. This completes a 16 count sequence and lets you go right back into 8 count Lindy Hop on the Phrase.

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