East Coast Swing Dance Basic Timing | Swing Dance Basics

[@Alexander-dt8sk]

Newcomer to dancing here. Can you elaborate on the notation system youre using, specifically the inclusion of that "e." The 1-and ah-2 I get.

[@WestCoastSwingOnline]

We will try and get a video out for this topic.

[@dPlayer_5b]

1-e-and-ah-2 from what I know is a common notation to split a 1/4 note (or one beat) into 1/16th notes. If you pull out a metronome and try to count 1-2-3-4 every beat it's pretty easy, you then add in "and" between each beat it feels natural to space to get 1/8th (and represents 1/8th notes) note timings. Now try counting with the "1-e-and-ah-2-e-and-ah-3" it just feels natural to break it down into 1/16th notes that way to help keep timing. With the e notation just count it by saying e. Hope this helps

[@RSO1225]

So I have been dancing a while, but not a champion like you, still have some questions though. I thought is was song specific and I thought it was the song that swung and that ECS was 2/3, 1/3, 1 or 1/2, 1/2 1 and Jive was 3/4,1/4,1. If dancing to Old time rock and roll which clearly does NOT swing it would be 1/2, 1/2, 1; if dancing to Michael Jackson "The way you make me feel" which has a strong swing sound/beat it would be 2/3, 1/3, 1 and then there is Jive which is not an American social dance. I have seen many country comps as well as the social dancers at peach State and stuff and I rarely if ever do I see people doing ECS 3/4,1/4 1. I am open to further understanding this since I have been involved with this for about 40 yrs. I love your videos!

[@WestCoastSwingOnline]

Hey Stan. Yep, you're pretty right on. It is song specific for sure. Different songs have different 'feels' and should make us want to dance an appropriate timing that matches. The video was a big more geared toward a beginner's overview. Many people have no idea that ECS should have a different timing (beyond 1/2,1/2, Whole) That was the goal of the video. But you're 100% right on in everything you said. Talking about the comps you referenced.... you're right again. You probably didn't see many people using the timing I discussed in the video. It's pretty tricky which is why when you get to the subtle differences you described... it gets even more difficult! Thanks for the feedback and for adding to the discussion. Keep it up. I think it's great stuff to share. Best wishes, B