This will be your general body position when you’re doing the jitterbug. It should feel easy, loose, and natural for your body.
You can lift one heel off the ground, then the other, to make sure that you’re fully balanced on the balls of your feet.
To give yourself a slight rhythm to rock to, you can say “1 and 2 and,” stepping when you say a number and rocking when you say “and. ” This is one of your basic movements in the jitterbug, often called the “slow” movement because you’re moving right in time with the beat. Remember to maintain your balance and center. To take a step, simply lift your heel up gently and set it down. When you shift your weight, you should be moving your knees from a bent position to an even deeper bend.
When you’re dancing, you’ll move the same foot back every time.
Although this is called the “rock-step,” you won’t actually being rocking your weight back and forth–when you’re dancing to music, you won’t have time! Instead, stay centered and balanced.
If you’re leading, move your left foot back; if you’re following, step back with your right.
Step backwards on 1, lift your front foot on 2, and move your back foot forward on 1.
The more you move through these beginning 2 steps, the better you’ll get at feeling the jitterbug rhythm. The more advanced steps play off of these, so make sure you feel comfortable with them before moving on!
If you’re the leader, curl your hand over your partner’s so that it’s almost sideways. Lay your thumb on top of your partner’s hand. The hold should be light and relaxed. If you’re the follower, lay your hand palm-down in your partner’s. Try the steps a few times while facing each other. Let your hand move towards your partner while you’re moving backwards in the rock-step, staying relaxed and not pulling on your partner’s arm.
When you do your rock-step, step your front foot back at an angle and rotate your body to open your chest up. Don’t step straight back, as this would separate you from your partner.
Remember that you’re doing 1 pulse step and 1 rock-step each time. Count out loud so that you and your partner are on the same beat.
Don’t start to lift your arm or spin the follower yet; simply draw them forward by their arm. As the follower, step out of the rock-step in the direction that you’re being pulled. [11] X Research source
Raising your elbow and whole arm will make your turn look sloppy. Instead, focus on keeping your elbow bent and raising your palm to just above the follower’s head.
This isn’t strictly necessary–you can do the turn while standing still and your partner will simply spin around fully to face you, but it looks smoother and more graceful to move with them.
If you’re a beginner, you can also take a quick break after the turn. Talk to your partner and see how they felt about it and if you can do anything to improve.
To get into the spin as the follower, simply follow the leader’s movements.
Mentally separate your shoulders from your hips. Each part of your body should move separately, following each other naturally. You will end the spin facing the leader and ready to keep dancing!
This will let the follower start to move away and behind you, giving you room to start your turn.
Bend your knees and move lightly on the balls of your feet as you turn. If you’re the follower, keep your palm facing down. Take one step behind the back of the leader so that you’re facing them as they come out of the turn.
As the follower, follow naturally around the leader’s back and slide around to face them as they turn. The handpass can be a fun way to mix things up if you and your partner already feel comfortable doing a regular turn.
You’d typically hold just one hand in the open position, but for this move, you’ll need to be holding both.
This twist will help the follower build up some momentum to go into their spin. As the follower, swivel your shoulders and hips and allow your body to open up as you turn. You can move your right foot back, then forwards as you turn from side to side.
As the follower, spin from your shoulders and upper body, then your hips and knees. Your other arm will be turning behind your back, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortable.
Flipping their hand like this makes the turn more comfortable for them and for you.
Your other hand will still be holding the follower’s hand, and you’ll both be facing each other.
This tells the follower that you’re about to turn them out of this position. It also helps give them some momentum to carry them out of the turn.
Since you’ve helped the follower gather some momentum by angling their hip, you can try to turn this move into a double turn. Simply continue to hold your hand up as they turns, leading them into a second spin. You can let go of their other hand as you turn them, so that you end up in the traditional open position with a one handed hold.
It might feel awkward at first, but mastering the moves without music will create the muscle memory to let you dance smoothly with music and other distractions.
If you’re looking for music online, look up “jitterbug music” or “swing dance music. ”
Search for “jitterbug dance lessons near me” online to find a dance studio that offers lessons. If you can, call ahead of time to see what moves will be taught and whether they’ll be challenging enough for you.
You can search online for swing dance clubs by searching “swing dance clubs near me. ”
