Hello,

Learning same dances on different locations always gets me confused. So...

For an introduction and for the sake of americans: I believe Boogie Woogie is the european equivalent to West Coast Swing.

The belgian organisation of dance teachers teaches the following basic step (one of the three but my problem concerns this one (6-count) BASIC A

1:tap Lft 2:replace Lft 3:tap Rft 4:back Rft 5:close Lft 6:fwd Rft

In my dance school I learnt the following basic step: BASIC B

1:back Rft 2:close Lft 3:fwd Rft 4:tap Lft 5:replace Lft 6:tap Rft

At close look (I wonder who is still reading or who would do the steps) or when comparing both basics, the steps are the same (only shifted to other counts). However, and what bothers me, is that the shift is an uneven number of counts. Step 1 of basic B corresponds with step 4 of basic A. If this were step 3 of basic A I would be relieved.

Can this still be the same ? Can both basics be correct ? Can the same figures be done with both basics ? What is the difference ?

Please do not leave me sleapless.
Thanks
Erik

Ok, I'm sooo dumb! At ballroomdancers.com they actually have a boogie woogie basic! Based on the video, I would say that it's reminiscent of Hollywood Style Lindy, which is what their lindy videos are of.

Erik-
It was helpful to see your explanations of Boogie Woogie (tho I still don't QUITE get it), as I am from the U.S. and have never actually seen it before. Based on your descriptions, I would compare Boogie Woogie to East Coast Swing rather than West Coast Swing in the U.S. For one thing, ECS has a mirrored basic with both partners rock-stepping at the same time. In WCS, the follow moves forward on 1-2. It's a slotted dance, so she travels in a straight line.

East Coast Swing basic, lead part:
1 + 2 3 + 4 5 6
Left close Left Right close Right Rock Step

If you can, look at Ballroomdancers.com under Dances for some video. Their East Coast Swing looks pretty jivey, though (some people seem to do it more with lindy style).
I'll be really interested to know more!

Philipp and Steve:
Thanks for your reply.

To my understanding "boogie woogie" as dance is a term used only in, maybe a dance developed in Europe. So Philipp, being a boogie admirer you should feel happy, not unfortunate, living in Europe.

Why do I compare "Boogie Woogie" with "West Coast Swing" ? The Belgian Dance Teacher's Association teach that boogie woogie is the 6-count version of Lindy-Hop. There are three versions: the single step (SSQQ), the double step (QQQQQQ) and the triple step (Q&Q Q&Q QQ) the last QQ being each time the Rock Step. Also, compared to jive and East Coast Swing, steps are being taken (more) flat, the triple step rhythm being 1/2 1/2 1. With this information I have thought that the triple step version of boogie woogie must be best comparable to West Coast Swing.

As far as I have learnt on the Internet, WCS is mostly danced on bluesier music with slower tempi. Whereas, depending on the version one chooses (single, double or triple), boogie woogie is suitable on a variety of tempi (from 30 to 50 mpm and higher).

You can learn more on boogie woogie (in Finland) on: http://www.clinet.fi/~dance/bwcoaching.html

Regards
Erik

Hi Philip,
Here in Switzerland, I think I'm one of the few swing dancers over 40 (I've been dancing now less than 2 years). I don't agree with the comparison of West Coast Swing to Boogie-Woogie, but it is closer than Merengue. The closest I've seen to boogie-woogie dancers are the fast moving Jitterbuggers from Lindy Hop (Savoy-Style) enjoyed in the summertime in Herrang, Sweden
(Please, note that Zurich and Stockholm are not in the same country). Mix Lindy Hop with Rock'n Roll and do it to some good fast Jazz Swing and then smooth it out to make it cool and then you are getting close to Boogie-Woogie. Just don't ask what the basic steps are...
Open for discussion.
Steve

Good morning,

I did sleep well, however I must have been dance-dreaming, as I woke up with some ideas about my own problem.

After one measure of basic A, steps continue and compare as follows:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
A: Lclose Rfwd Ltap Lstep Rtap Rback Lclose
B: Rback Lclose Rfwd Ltap Lstep Rtap Rback

C: Lrock Rstep Ltap Lstep Rtap Rstep Lrock

C is another 6-count version of Boogie-Woogie (again started 2 measures later - I prefer to start on the rock step, as I am used to do in jive).

Compared to C I find A more logic than B; the rock step has been replaced by a close forward, which allows better forward movement.

However, basic A starts actually one measure earlier, on the "tap step tap"-part, which I believe is the part where turns are made and completed (resting part).

I would prefer to start on the preparatory part (the equivalent of the rock step), this would be for basic A on a closing step. Then again I am not so sure about starting on a closing step. This may explain why basic B starts with a back step before closing.

But what about starting on count 5 of basic A: with a tap, bouncing back ? Disadvantage may be that then you loose your final "resting" point at the end of the figure, which is this starting tap.

I think the question of which part of the basic to start on is interesting when learning/teaching figures. Once you are dancing an amalgamation of figures it does not matter any more.

Still I wonder what this shift of one count means for the rhythmical interpretation of the music. Maybe I will find out by dancing both versions.

On counts 3 and 5 (which I believe are the strong beats in the music) there are taps in basic A and steps in basic B. I am inclined to say that steps, on which also the turns are made, are preferable on strong beats. But I am not a specialist.

Isn't it strange that two basics, which vary only in starting with one count difference, would be both correct ? Where is the accent in Boogie Woogie dancing ? Do both basics have their own rhythmical interpretation ?

Questions, questions, questions...

Erik

I tried out both basics with some simple turning figures and I would prefer basic B, where you step and make turns on counts 1 and 3 in the music.

However, I read on another place that the accent in jive is on counts 2 and 4 (so I believe also in the music). I think this must also be the case for boogie-woogie.

So, to resume my questions:
-where are the accents in the boogie-woogie dance basic ?
-is it possible to have an accent on a tapping foot (in rock & roll one bounces on the kicking step - which is the equivalent to the tapping step in boogie-woogie - or better: one bounces on the supporting foot, of course - the bounce creating the accent).

Where are those boogie men and women ?

Erik

Hi Erik!

Well done for answering your own thread! I'm sure you're doing a good service to the community (I've done it before).
I've seen Boogie Woogie danced, and I liked it, but in my place there's no boogie dancer below 40 years old, and I haven't been able to find a boogie class anywhere.
I'm probably unfortunate to live in Europe.

Regards,

a boogie woogie admirer