Learn the Tranky Doo - For Lindy Hop & Swing Dance

Support my channel by going to / lauraglaess
The Tranky Doo is a vintage routine that was choreographed by Frankie Manning in the 1940s, and is done by Lindy Hoppers all over the world. However, the version that dancers do today is not what Frankie choreographed, and the various discrepancies between all of the video versions - to me - makes this dance exciting and mysterious!
In this video, we'll go over the choreography, a little history, significant differences between different vintage versions, and some inspirational stylistic differences. We'll be dancing a LOT in this video. Hope you have fun!
00:00 - Thanks for dancing with me today!
02:33 - What You'll Learn
03:20 - Part 1
06:31 - A Little History
10:25 - A few Differences
11:13 - Part 2
13:59 - Part 3
16:33 - Highlighting two different turns
17:43 - Part 4
20:32 - Where to Mambo?! Three options...
23:17 - Part 5
24:27 - Part 6
25:53 - Review
27:19 - Dance it All Together
SUPPLEMENTARY VIDEOS
- Applejacks: • Applejacks - Vernacula...
- Shorty George: • Video
- Suzie Q: • Suzie Q - Vernacular J... v
- Rocks: • Rocks / Allelujahs - ...
- Lock Turn: • Lock Turns - Vernacula...
- Chase: • The Chase - Vernacular...
- Eagle Slide: • Eagle Slide - Vernacul...
VERSIONS OF THE TRANKIE DOO
- Tops & Wilda, Love & Syncopation: • WHITEY'S LINDY HOPPERS...
- Spirit Moves: • Tranky Doo
- Spirit Moves Redubbed to a song that matches: • The Trankey Do - Spiri...
SOURCES
- Jazz Dance, Jene & Marshall Sterns
- Frankie Manning, Ambassador of Lindy Hop
- Swungover: swungover.word...
MUSIC:
The Brooks Prumo Orchestra
brooksprumoorch...
MERCH:
Prints: www.etsy.com/s...
Other: lauraglaess.th...
50% of the money made from this channel is donated to organizations that support African Diasporic art forms, because Lindy Hop is a Black dance, and preserving and cultivating Blackness is very important to its identity. My current charities are:
Black Lindy Hopper's Fund: blacklindyhopp...
National Jazz Museum in Harlem: jazzmuseuminha...

[@chloeboldrini7734]

I attenpted to learn the tranky doo during the first lockdown and the videos I found weren't as good as yours for sure! Love how you filmed the steps as well as all the historical information you bring in!

[@metrothom]

Great video Laura! Ethos and history just as important as the steps :) I used to teach the Tranky Doo many years ago but I haven't danced it in literally 6+ years. Then earlier this week the Dipsy Doodle was played at a local dance and I joined in and that way I learned that I no longer have it all clear in my head, lol. Whoops. So I went looking for a refresher, and I got that here but also plenty of new ideas about how to do it, which is great :)

[@katiestevenson6232]

I've been working on this for a few weeks now, maybe a month and I find this soooo helpful! Thank you for breaking it up into chapters so I have a place I can easily return to. Best Lindy Hop Chanel on YT I recommend you to everyone with feet. ❤️❤️❤️

[@LauraGlaess]

This mages me so happy! Thank you!

[@crackedoreo]

This is great resource. Just shared to some dancers that needed to learn this for a gig. Thank you so much Laura!

[@LauraGlaess]

Thank YOU, Mikey!

[@boogiewoogielady4021]

Love your dance style and your personality ❤❤❤❤

[@PeppermintTaste]

Haha, the dubbing! Very fitting. :)

[@LauraGlaess]

We had fun with that

[@user-lg8zj6dn6s]

Thank you so much for this video!!! I've always looked for investigation like this, because there are fo many different versions. And I absolutely love the vintage style you do that movements!

[@LauraGlaess]

Thank you so much!

[@a.surinov]

Thank you Laura! I like this routine so much and your interpretation is stunning!

[@TheBooklover1848]

My theory about where the clap-clap in the second phrase came from is that it was in the version of the Tranky Doo Frankie taught in the 90s (the NY Swing Dance Society have a video of a performance of it on You Tube so you can see), which people mixed into the Spirit Moves version. Plus Tops and Wilda's version has a break in the second half that includes a clap-clap after a hop-stamp (it's actually very cool!) So it's also possible people picked it up from there?

[@LauraGlaess]

I'm so going to lift that Tops and Wilda section. Absolutely. You're theory on the clap clap makes sense. I'll check out the video!

[@AbeChao]

Very comprehensive! Excellent video! Thank you!

[@vasusharma28]

This is so good. Thank you Laura!

[@JeffyHop]

Omg this is such a great video! Your whole channel is amazing! Going through all your videos freshening up on my post Covid Lindy.

[@LauraGlaess]

Thank you so much!! And stupid covid.

[@Luboffin]

Brilliant! I badly needed a tranky doo refresher. Thankyou! 🥳

[@marioavila1235]

Excellent dancing, great historical info

[@nnadamas1553]

Love it! Thanks for this, made me feel like practicing thanky doo again. 💙❤️

[@ollieandotis]

Not sure where the claps come from but here’s a video of frankie teaching it with the claps: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5fddGunj7ibrdksi=kQBDmBaJrFep8juH

[@beambongga2]

This would help me a lot Thank You so much

[@anhanh057]

amazing!!! thank you so much Laura!!!

[@flornorambuena2862]

TE AMO LAURAAAA

[@maasan7083]

Hello Laura ! Thank you for all your amazing videos, your amazing work, your amazing dancing, your energy and passion :D I live in a french city where the is a really really small community, and it's a struggle, so your videos are a blessing ! And, also, I wanted to tell you one thing : challenge accepted. I'll send you a video of the Tops and Wilda Trankydoo routine (the first part) before the end of the summer. I found by "accident" a tutorial for this version, and I love it. I'll try to master it and teach it to my students :D Take care of yourself ! And of course, the Brooks Prumo Orchestra is amazing as well :)

[@LauraGlaess]

I can't wait to see what you do!

[@maasan7083]

@@LauraGlaess it was just an amazing coincidence. I started learning the Tops and Wilda routine, then started watching your video, and well I had to accept the challenge ! I'm not done practicing yet, but in the mean time, take care and keep up the great work 😊

[@nicholasrpope]

This is amazing.

[@hansgustavlindstrom2852]

Great video!

[@corinnelarson7368]

Thank you!! I know it would be a long video, but could you do one on the big apple routine? 🙏😊❤

[@LauraGlaess]

I want to. Maybe in two parts. It would be such a long video...

[@LeahJenae]

I’m strong ( years of weight training and running track, playing volleyball) , but not naturally flexible and relaxed in arms like you. Any suggestions to getting more loose and relaxed? Like should I just stretch more before I dance? Ha

[@gracewalsh3549]

Do you know if the documentary, ‘The Spirit Moves’ is available anywhere? I’ve looked and can’t find it. I’d love to watch it😊

[@LauraGlaess]

KZbin!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZvKpqGZhs6qbZI

[@jamesthucsr3437]

Do you have any songs to share with us to download for practicing the Lindy Hop dance?

[@LauraGlaess]

Here's a nice easy playlist I put together. I'll be putting together more in the future -- just gotta make the time. open.spotify.com/playlist/2QVbXvTWQ5ovGnrEZKgn3g

[@rossindenver]

Great dance! And I think I need that dress! Designer? Store? Thanks!

[@LauraGlaess]

Ha! I got it at Goodwill last year. It's a good one, huh?

[@rossindenver]

@@LauraGlaess, Thank You! it's so swishy and perfect. Is there a label it in?

[@kevinmurtagh3434]

Brill