Jive dancing originated in the UK and is very similar to the American styles of dancing known as the Jitterbug and East Coast Swing. Jive dancing is typically made up of six and eight count patterns, very much like East Coast Swing but includes a little more pep and bounce with severe kicks, a faster tempo, and a more stylised and competitive dancing form.
In Europe, the Jive dance became popular during the 1940’s. The name came about in reference to this particular style of dance as a result of Cab Calloway’s Hepsters Jive Talk, which closely associated the word “jive” with swing dancing and was vastly popular throughout Europe at this particular period in time.
Your will find that throughout the UK the style of dancing that is referred to as the American Jive is actually what was once referred to as the Jitterbug-Jive and later dropped to include just the word “jive”. Today Jive dancing is often associated as lead in type of dance for more structured Swing Style Dancing. Modern Jive Dancing is not improvisational as many dance styles have been in the past but rather structured with carefully choreographed steps, precise timing, and a rigorous lead and follow pattern.
Modern Jive is a creation of the 1980’s the encompasses bits and pieces of Swing Dancing, the Lindy Hop, Rock-n-Roll, and other dancing styles as well as the ballroom styles of Salsa Dancing and the Tango. The beat for Modern Jive Dancing typically includes four beats to the bar and can range from chart toppers to Big Band Style Music.
If you’ve never watched Jive Dancing being performed you will definitely want to take a look at several of the videos. The reason you want to check them out is so that you can see for yourself that while Jive Dancing is quite structured there remains a good deal of room for interpretation. In other words, no matter how choreographed the moves may be there are still a good many options available to dancers that are interest in Jive Dancing as a means of expression.
There are many dancing styles that lack the structure of Jive Dancing and they have their very own appeal. For those who are looking for a greater challenge when it comes to dancing and broadening horizons and experiences without being overcome with technicalities, Jive Dancing may prove to be a happy medium. It is a little formidable than other dancing styles but the fun factor is often enough to overcome the intimidation that may creep up as you face your first Jive Dancing lessons.
Jive Dancing is definitely a style of dancing that is best learned by doing. You really need excellent instructions in order to get the basics you need to build upon. That doesn’t mean that you can’t learn a good deal about this beautiful and exciting dancing style by watching videos only that you will need to eventually do more than just watch in order to get the most of your Jive Dancing investment.
Jive Dancing remains a favourite among many dancers, judges, and competition watchers around the world. When performed well, this can be one of the more exciting dance styles to watch as well as to perform. If you ever get the opportunity to learn Jive Dancing you might just decide that there is no other style of dance quite like it on earth. It is definitely a great way to strut your stuff and show the crowd what you are made of. Regardless it is good clean fun that can be shared with a special someone or simply learned in order to impress that special person in your life.
