Are you a great fan of swing music? Then there is no way you would not know about the swing dance, would you? During the 1930s and 1940s, swing music had swept all Americans off their feet. In fact, it became so popular that swing did not remain just another form of music, but it gradually became a way of life for many Americans. From night clubs to big band music station in the USA, swing music was everywhere. As the popularity of this genre grew, enthusiasts were quick to create a dance style that would only augment the appeal of swing music to a significant degree. Even after so many decades, swing dance and music continue weaving magic in the hearts of ardent swing lovers. So, are you one of them? Do you want to learn more about it? You’re in the right place. Here, we talk in brief about both swing music and dance.
Syncopated Rhythm – The Speciality of Swing Music & Dance
Swing is all about emphasizing the offbeat while ignoring the standard rhythm, and here lies the significance of this music genre. Whether it is swing dance or swing music, syncopation or offbeat rhythm is what makes them unusual or attractive. While the music beats are evenly spaced in a straight rhythm, beats are spaced erratically in the swing rhythm. A European creation, the straight time rhythm faced stiff competition from the ragtime jazz, which subsequently led to the emergence of swing rhythm during the early half of the twentieth century. In this new style of music, beats fall slightly after and before the expected time of a straight beat thereby creating a dramatic and unpredictable impact. This never-heard-before tune was so catchy that the audience would not stop grooving. No wonder the music genre merited a dance form of its own.
Swing Dance – An Adapted Version of Lindy Hop
We know you love listening to your favorite swing tracks on swing jazz radio, but do you ever wonder what could be the origin of swing dance? Well, it all began with the Lindy Hop! A dance created by African-Americans during the 1920s and 1930s, the Lindy Hop was so popular that many cities were adapting it to their own distinctive flavors. Even Hollywood had used this dance style by tweaking it to meet the visual needs of the films. Similarly, the Lindy Hop was adapted to create different varieties of swing dance. In fact, the ballroom dance that you enjoy so much was also an offshoot of the Lindy Hop dance style.
With the end of World War II, swing music, as well as the dance, started fading into obscurity. Although partnered dancing (included the main swing moves) continued for a while, it died out totally with the advent of twist in the 1950s. After a gap of many decades, the Lindy Hop was once again the talk of the town as the age neo-swing music set in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
In this regard, due credit should be given to Frankie Manning, a pioneer in the Lindy Hop who popularised the lost dance style even after his retirement. The comeback was commendable but it could not stand its ground for a very long time. To be more precise, the neo-swing movement was a national sensation only for a short while and was majorly limited to regional pockets only. On the positive side, swing music or dance remains popular in several communities that are trying their best to preserve America’s authentic cultural history for enlightening the present and future generations.
Closing Thoughts – Now that you know the history of swing dance, we are sure that you’ll feel a stronger affinity with America’s music and culture. For non-stop musical extravaganza, visit Swing Street Radio, the best ballroom music radio station in the USA.
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