It Takes Two to Tandem

Hi Soho,

Welcome to our new dancers! It was great to see you doing so well with your first experience of lindy hop - especially the Swing Out from closed.  As we said in the lesson, this is a really important move for the dance and continues the journey towards the Swing Out from open which is often referred to as the "heartbeat of lindy hop".  We’ll be doing that next week in our Beginners class, which as always is a drop in class so no prior experience is required!

For our Level 2 dancers we’ll be continuing with the Tandem Charleston - now we’ve got you into it, we promise to show you how to get out plus some cool moves to do in-between!

See you then!
Chris & Sarah

Next Week (Tues 27 July)

Beginners (Level 1), 7:00 to 8:00pm:  If you have no experience of swing dancing, then Level 1 is where you’ll be introduced to swing dancing and learn some fun moves!  We’ll be working on 8 count Lindy Hop, concentrating on the Swing Out (from closed and open) and Circle.

Level 2, 8:15 to 9:15pm:  For students who have done the Charleston, 8 Count and 6 Count footwork from the Level 1 class.  This week we’ll go over the entry to Tandem Charleston, and add in the exit and some moves to do while in the Tandem.

Social time, 9:15pm onwards:  have a practice to some great swing music, ask any questions, grab a drink - or do all of the above! The choice is yours.

Last Week (Tues 20 July)

Beginners (Level 1)

We refreshed the 8 count footwork and the Promenot (with the guys going in front) - see the previous diary entry for notes.  We then worked on the following moves:

Swing Out (from closed): Starting in the closed position, the leader comes in front of the follower by "4" as per the Promenot. Then you have the all important "5"! Leading with the body, the leader steps back and to the side on 5, bringing the follower past them along the line.  Leaders release their right hand by the end of 5. Follower takes the momentum created to move away from the leader, with both ending up in the open position facing each other.

Pass By (aka Changing Places):  From open, the leader rock steps the follower, then brings the follower forward along the line on 3, stepping off the line so you don’t block her path! Leaders raise their left arm, allowing the follower to pass by on the leader’s right hand side, and turning the follower under the arm on 5 and 6.  You end up facing each other during the triple step on 7 and 8.

Circle: From open, the leader brings the follower in towards them on 3 and 4, collecting the follower’s back with their right hand.  During 5, 6, 7 and 8 the leader turns around in a circular direction, with you both ending the move in the closed position.

Level 2

We started by trying the Charleston starting on the reverse foot to normal, and at speed! See below for a list of the tracks at different speeds in case you want to practice at home!

We then did the entry to Tandem Charleston.  It is four counts from a handshake position (right hand to right hand). Rock step on 1, 2 then followers kick step on 3, 4.  Leaders on 3, 4 you do two counts in the air with your right foot (i.e. don’t place it back on the ground).  We did either a hold or a sweep - the choice is yours. 

As you’re doing this four count move, leaders bring the follower around using the J shape lead we talked about, so that you get her to place her weight on her right foot on 4.  Once you’re in this position, shoot back into the rock step of the Charleston basic footwork, but now in the Tandem Position.  Remember in this position to keep slightly tilted - and keep the perfect position: not too close, but not too far away either! Aim for the hands to be just in front of the follower’s hips.

Soho Swings To...

For our Level 2 dancers, here is the list of tracks and beats per minute (BPM) we used this week to practice our Charleston footwork:

144 BPM: Apollo Jump by Lucky Millinder
160 BPM: Are You Hep to the Jive? by Cab Calloway
178 BPM: Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho by Sidney Bechet
197 BPM: Lindyhopper’s Delight by Chick Webb
227 BPM: Shout and Feel It by James Horner (from Swing Kids movie soundtrack)

View other diary entries for Soho - The O Bar (83 Wardour St Soho W1D 6QE) ...