E

East Coast Swing

Also see: Wikipedia

Uses mostly 6 beat and some 8 beat Step Patterns. In Open Position and Closed Position, the follower normally does a [rock step] on counts [1 2] and may or may not move toward the Leader on counts [3 & 4]. The basic 6 beat Rhythm Units are EVEN, ODD, ODD. The basic 8 beat Rhythm Units being EVEN, ODD, EVEN, ODD.

See:
Jitterbug - "Classic West Cosst Swing" - "Contemporary" West Coast ... by Skippy Blair
YouTube Videos

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Essence

Webster's dictionary defines essence to be the basic nature of something. Essence in dance relates to basic nature of certain elements (music, form, look, feel, etc.) that makes one unique dance form different from others. There may be some similarities between different dance forms, but the differences will uniquely set them apart.

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Etiquette

Be considerate and always be aware of your available space for movement on the dance floor.  Also see Articles on dance by H. Leon Raper

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Even Rhythm

See Rhythm Units and Elements of Music

Even Rhythm Units contain zero or an even number of weight changes (steps) such as 0,2,4, .... Also, under certain circumstances, the different types of Event Rhythm Units can be exchanged with each other yielding a different styling to a dance.  In the following definitions, counts 1 2 are used, but the count could be anything else such as 3 4 or other counts.

Blank Rhythm

This Rhythm Unit contains zero weight changes.

Straight Count

Double Rhythm

This Rhythm Unit contains 2 weight changes (steps) to 2 beats of music. Each weight change occurs on a beat of music.

Straight Count

For diagram definitions see
Short Hand Terms or Annotation

Syncopated Double Rhythm

The following is just one example of a syncopated Double Rhythm Unit. The first weight change occurs on the & count between the two beats of music. The second weight change occurs on the second beat of music.

For diagram definitions see
Short Hand Terms or Annotation

 

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Extended Rhythm Unit

Any Rhythm Unit can be extended by adding an even number of weight changes to the Rhythm Unit. 

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Extended Step Pattern

Any Step Pattern can be extended by adding 1 or more Even Rhythm Units to the Step Pattern or by adding an even number (2,4,etc.) of Odd Rhythm Units to the Step Pattern.

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Extension

Extended Rhythm Unit
Extended Step Pattern

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