What makes a song good for ECS? I am just beginning to learn the dance, so please bear with me. Given that the basic step is: step, step, rock-step, it seems to my unsophisticated ear that there are three beats. Does this mean that music with a 3/4 time signature would be best?

On a related topic, I am looking for some song recommendations that are slow enough for beginners.

Thanks in advance!

[This message was edited by somebody on 02-01-01 at 11:13 PM.]

Whoops - no. Swing is all in 4/4 time -- 4 beats per measure.

Dancing 6 counts over measures of 4 beats means that each basic step takes one and a half measures to complete. So if you begin dancing your first basic step on beat 1 of the first measure, then your second basic step will begin on count 3 of the second measure. Therefore, two basic steps take a total of 3 measures to dance.

The fact that the basic takes 6 counts is a little odd to some people at first, but it doesn't take very long to get used to.

Sincerely,
Jonathan

I find that Indigo Swing songs are some of the best for beginners. In general they have an easily distinguishable beat and there are quite a few that are nice and slow--but not too slow.

Recommendations:
Ruby May
How Lucky Can One Guy Be
Another Day in LA
Today's the Day I'm Glad I'm Not Dead

--Tany

Trees are people too!
¡Viva los árboles!

The beat pattern for ECS is actually a six count - 1, 3, 5, 6 (step, step, rock, step). Some teachers teach this as slow - slow - quick - quick, others as triple step-triple step-rock-step. I know more about dance than about music, I'm guessing the six count pattern is what makes 3/4 time music appropriate?

I find that Golden Oldies rock music is usually a good slow ecs. There's some good slow ecs in country, too.

--Belle

There is some very good information on this question at:
http://www.adamsdance.com/article_.htm

This site also has some audio samples which are very very good.

Best of luck