The Jive Dance is a fast and passionate Latin dance, popularized in the 1940s by young Americans who adopted the dance moves to fit the rising rock & roll rhythm of the time. Although jive dance has many complex moves, some of which require you to twist or flip the dance partner, the basic moves are well controlled, with a 6 count leg pattern that's easy to practice and eventually master.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Understanding the Steps in Jive Dance
Step 1. Understand the 6-count leg pattern
Learning to jive dance is easy once you master the initial steps or the basic moves. This basic move has a 6 count, and the rhythm sounds like: 1-2-3-a-4, 5-a-6.
- Counts 1 and 2 are called link steps or rock steps.
- Counts 3 and 4 are steps three to the left called chasse.
- Counts 5 and 6 are steps three, or chasse, to the right.
Step 2. Understand the chasse movement
Chasse in dancing is when you move one leg to the side.
In jive, these steps are three short, smooth sideways motions, so they are called "three steps"
Step 3. Understand the link step or rock step
The link step or rock step is when you place one foot behind the other and then lift the front leg up.
- The idea is to swing back using the back foot and forward using the front leg, transferring the weight to the back leg and then to the front leg. However, you should always lift your leg up when moving the weight back and forth.
- Practice a few rock steps to get a feel for this movement. This is an important move in jive dance.
Part 2 of 4: Studying the Steps of a Male Couple
Step 1. Step your left foot back for the first count of rock steps
Keep your right foot in place and transfer the weight to the back (left) leg. This is a count of 1.
Step 2. Lift your right leg and lower it back down
This is the 2nd rock step count.
Step 3. Move to the side with your left foot
This is the count of 3 or the first count of step three to the left.
Step 4. Move your right foot so that it meets your left
This is the count of “a”, or the second count in step three.
Step 5. Move to the side with your left foot
This is a count of 4, or a count of three in step three.
Step 6. Transfer your weight to your right leg
This is the count of 5.
Step 7. Move to the right with your left foot
This is a count of "a".
Step 8. Move to the right with your right foot
This is the 6th count, or last count in jive.
Step 9. Repeat the rock step and step three again, moving from left to right
Remember to use a count of 1-2-3-a-4, 5-a-6.
Part 3 of 4: Studying the Steps of a Female Couple
Step 1. Step back right foot for first count in rock step
Keep your left foot in place.
Step 2. Transfer your weight back to your left leg
This is the 2nd count.
Step 3. Move to the side with your right foot
This is the 3rd count, or the first count in step three.
Step 4. Move your left foot so that it meets your right foot
This is the count of “a”, or the second count in step three.
Step 5. Move to the side with your right foot
Leave the left foot in place. This is a count of 4, or a count of three in step three.
Step 6. Transfer your weight to your left leg
This is the count of 5.
Step 7. Move to the left with your right foot
This is a count of "a".
Step 8. Move to the left with your left foot
This is the 6th count, or last step in jive.
Step 9. Repeat the rock step and step three again, moving from right to left
Remember to use a count of 1-2-3-a-4, 5-a-6.
Part 4 of 4: Combining Moves
Step 1. Let the man lead
Jive is danced face to face between the man and the woman. The man leads the jive dance and the woman follows his movements.
- The man will start with his left foot and the woman with the right so that their knees don't touch each other and the dance looks graceful.
- Imagine that there is an invisible rope that connects a man's leg to a woman's leg. When the man moves, the woman's movements should follow.
Step 2. Stand facing each other and fold your arms in a closed position
This means that the man's right hand will be on the left side of the woman's upper back and the woman's left hand will be on the man's right shoulder. The woman's arm should be above the man's arm.
- The distance between men and women should be approximately arm's length.
- The other hand of the man and woman should be intertwined but still quite loose. In jive, you don't want your arms to be too stiff. The position of the arm should be graceful.
Step 3. Shift your body so that you are both slightly facing out
Rotate your body so that your legs are pointing outward away from each other at an angle.
This allows both of you to move freely without bumping your knees
Step 4. Use 6 counts to complete the basic jive step
You can both count out loud to make sure each count is a success. Make sure the man starts with the left foot and the woman with the right.
Keep your arms relaxed and relaxed
Step 5. Practice steps without music
This will help you master the basic moves of the jive and keep your attention from being distracted by the music.
- Once you're both comfortable with the basic steps, start jive dancing to the music. There are several mixes of popular songs with jive rhythms available online. Jive music tends to be faster tempo than swing music, so as your skills improve, you may also learn to move at a higher speed or tempo.
- Imitate the tempo of the music by emphasizing the movement of your feet and calves. To do this, move your hips as you move the weight backwards onto your left or right leg in a rock step.
- Keep your knees bent and try to equate the music count to 6 in a jive step.
- Keep practicing the basic steps of the jive with moves that are emphasized to the music until you both feel confident enough about the dance.
