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Class Notes: Shim Sham Shimmy

Disclaimer: One of the great things about swing is that it allows for much individuality and personality. The Shim Sham Shimmy can be interpreted many different ways and the best dancers take the basic steps and make them their own in unique ways. The following is intended as a guide only.

5 basic steps created by Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant, circa late 1920’s.

Each section totals 32 counts, watch for the transitions and changes after every 24 or 32 beats!

Shim Sham (slide heel away, then step)
R slide, step, L slide, step, R slide out-in-out R step,
8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
L slide, step, R slide, step, L slide out-in-out L step,
8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
R slide, step, L slide, step, R slide out-in-out R slide in again
8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Break
R front, Left back, R L R L
8,1 2,3 4 5 6 7

Push Beat Cross Over
R push, R push, R push, L kick, L cross, R step
8,1 2,3 4 5 6 7
L push, L push, L push, R kick, R cross, L step
8,1 2,3 4 5 6 7
R push, R push, R push, L kick, L cross, R step
8,1 2,3 4 5 6 7
L push, R kick, R cross, L step
8 1 2 3
R push, L kick, L cross, Right, Left (Ba doom!)
4 5 6 and 7

Tac Annie (Tacky Annie)
Right back, step side, Left back, step side, Right back, step side, Left back
8 1 2 3 4 5 6
Right, Left (Ba doom!)
and 7
Right back, step side, Left back, step side, Right back, step side, Left back
8 1 2 3 4 5 6
Right, Left (Ba doom!)
and 7
Right back, step side, Left back, step side, Right back, step side, Left back
8 1 2 3 4 5 6
Right, Left (Ba doom!)
and 7

Break
R front, Left back, R L R L
8,1 2,3 4 5 6 7

Dickety Boom
Right, Left, Kick-right-left
8 1 2-and-a 3
Right, Left, Kick-right-left
4 5 6-and-a 7
Right, Left, Kick-right-left
8 1 2-and-a 3

Tops (Mugging!)
Shorty George
Boogie Back
Daisy Duck or other Shine Steps!

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