1. Rock it Out
From swing dancing of the 1930s and 1940s derived the first rock 'n' roll dance, the jitterbug. In the fifties, teens everywhere learned the jitterbug from their peers and by watching the television show "American Bandstand" with Dick Clark. Soon, kids began to improvise and add in their own moves to the jitterbug. Eventually the dance developed into a major dance craze. Try to dance the jitterbug with the crazy, energetic and carefree attitude of rock 'n' roll.
2. Count an Even Beat
Before trying other types of swing dancing, it's a good idea to try the jitterbug. It's much easier to learn than other swing dances, such as West Coast Swing. Once you get the spirit of jitterbug, start with the basic step to dance the jitterbug. A couple can join both of their hands or just one. Dance the jitterbug in a six count pattern with the repeating of four steps. The leader and the follower start with single steps. Dance the jitterbug to even beats (fast or slow). So, it's single step (one foot), bounce; single step (other foot), bounce; back step (just on the ball of the foot), weight transfer to the other foot and forward step to repeat the pattern. Keep in mind that the follower mirrors the leader with opposite footwork but keeps the same rhythm and beats. The footwork is in a slow and slow; quick, quick pattern or a slow and slow; back step pattern. Keep in mind that back step is often referred to as rock step also.
3. Try Rock 'n' Roll Turns
After you have mastered some jitterbug basic moves, begin learning jitterbug turns to dance the jitterbug. Start with the send out turn, left side underarm turn and a right side underarm turn. You can combine all three for a short and simple routine and return to a closed position to dance the jitterbug. For a send out turn, do a rock step (back step) and then a triple step forward as you move apart. Follow that with a triple step turn to an open position. Next, for an under arm turn, do a rock step, triple step, triple step, and on the second triple step, the follower begins to turn. The follower goes underneath the arm of the leader until she's facing him again. Also, end with a rock step once partners are facing each other again. A left side under arm turn is similar except that the follower does an outward turn under the left arm of the leader. Finally, a couple uses a rock step, triple step, triple step to move back in towards each other again.
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