
Jive
History:
The Jive was first
popular in the 1940s. The Jive was originally the European version of the
American JItterbug and East Coast Swing during WWII. Although the Jive had
roots in the US it is danced with a rock step. It is basically an tripple-step
East Coast Swing with a backwards rock first and an exaggerated bounce and
kicks using some Latin styling and flair. Although the musically it is not
the fastest, it feels and looks that way due to the regular use of
syncopations.
Musicality:
The time signature
of the music used for this dance is 4/4. The music is fast and lively in the
Swing style. There is a musical accent on the first beat of each bar with
percussive accents on the second and fourth beats. The tempo is 44 bars per
minute - the speed at which the music is played. This is the required tempo
for competition, however, actual Jive music can vary greatly.
Hold and Poise:
Stand with feet
slightly apart, facing partner about 6 inches apart, with the head erect,
the body naturally upright and the shoulders down.
The Man's right
hand is placed on the Lady's back, under her left shoulder blade, and the
Lady's left arm rests lightly on his right arm following the curve of his
arm to the shoulder. In competition, however the hand can reach the
gentleman's back for improved leading. The Man's left hand is raised in a
gentle curve to the level of the shoulders. The Lady's right hand is placed
in the Man's left hand with her fingers between his thumb and first finger.
The hands are lightly clasped.
Body Positions & Holds:
These refer to the
Lady's position in relation to the Man and should be stated prior to giving
Foot Position or a description. Where necessary, for clarity, reference is
made to a Body position in the Foot Position column.
Closed Position
(Newcomer - Gold)
Facing partner,
slightly apart, and normal hold.
Open Position
(Newcomer - Gold)
Facing and away
from partner, approximately at arms length. Left hand holding Lady's right
hand. Alternatively Man's right hand can hold Lady's right hand. At the
Silver through Gold levels acceptable holds are right hand to Lady's left
hand or Man's left hand holding Lady's right hand holding Lady's left hand,
also called double hand hold
Promenade
Position (Newcomer - Gold)
Lady on Man's
right side with the Man's right and Lady's left side towards each other,
slightly apart, opposite side of body turned outwards to form the shape of a
"V". Use normal hold.
Counter
Promenade Position (Gold)
Lady on Man's left
side with Man's left side and Lady's right side towards each other, slightly
apart, and the body turned outwards to form the shape of a "V". Use normal
hold.
Open Counter
Promenade Position (Silver - Gold)
Lady on Man's left
side with Man's left side and Lady's right side towards each other, slightly
apart, opposite side of body turned outwards to form the shape of a "V". The
distance apart may vary considerably and become more open, depending on the
figure danced. The holds used are: left hand holding Lady's right hand or no
hold.
Right Side
Position
Lady on Man's
right side, both facing the same way. Hold as required for figure used.
Left Side
Position
Lady on Man's left
side, both facing the same way. Hold as required for figure used.
Tandem Position
Lady directly in
front or behind Man, both facing the same direction.
Use of Arms:
The arms are held
in a natural and unaffected way. In many figures the partner is held with
only one hand. The free arm is never static. Movement of the arms is subtle
and rhythmically coordinated with the movement of the body, allowing for
personal expression.
Rhythmic Expression:
Most syllabus
figures in Jive are commenced with a "rock" action, stepping back on 1
(count Q) then replacing weight to front foot (count Q) , each step using 1
beat of music. The footwork is "ball, flat" on both steps.
As each step is
placed the knee is softly straightened as the heel lowers. The other
knee is then slightly flexed.
The hips should be
allowed to move freely and naturally with a slight swing from side to side.
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The Jive Chasse:
In its basic form
this chasse is a group of three steps taken in any forward, backward or
sideways direction, with or without turn, counted "Q a Q". The first step is
taken with part weight, the second step is moved towards the other foot, the
third step continues to move in the direction required. The chasse may also
be danced in place with the feet almost closed.
In terms of beat
value, step 1 is 3/4 of a beat, step 2 is 1/4 of a beat, and step 3 is 1
beat.
There are 7 types
of Chasses. Side Chasse, Compact Chasse, Forward Chasse, Backward Chasse,
Turning Chasse, Forward Lock and Backward Lock. Demos of the different
chasses will be available soon on the website.
Jive Closed Syllabus
Newcomer:
1.
Basic in Place
2.
Fallaway Rock
3.
Fallaway Throwaway
4.
Link
5. Change of
Places Right to Left
6. Change of
Places Left to Right
7.
Change of Hands Behind Back
8.
Hip Bump
Bronze:
1. American Spin
2. Walks
3. Stop & Go
4. Mooch
5. Whip
6. Whip Throwaway
Silver:
1. Reverse Whip
2. Windmill
3. Spanish Arms
4. Rolling off the
Arm
5. Simple Spin
6. Miami Special
Gold:
1. Curly Whip
2. Shoulder Spin
3. Toe Heel
Swivels
4. Chugging
5. Chicken Walks
6. Catapult
7. Stalking Walks,
Flicks, and Break
Click on any figure for detailed description!
Newcomer Class Choreography
1. Basic in Place (QQ
QaQ QaQ)
2. Fallaway Rock (QQ QaQ QaQ)
3. Fallaway
Throwaway (QQ QaQ QaQ)
4. Change of Place
L to R (QQ QaQ QaQ)
5. Link (QQ QaQ QaQ)
6. Change of
Places R to L (QQ QaQ QaQ)
7. Hip Bump (QQ QaQ QaQ)
8. Hip Bump (QQ QaQ QaQ)
9. Link (QQ QaQ QaQ)
CONTINUE WITH #1
Bronze Class Choreography
1. Hip Bump (QQ
QaQ QaQ)
2. Change of Hands
Behind the Back (QQ QaQ QaQ)
3. Hip Bump (QQ
QaQ QaQ)
4. Change of
Places L to R (QQ QaQ QaQ)
5. American Spin (QQ
QaQ QaQ)
6. American Spin (QQ
QaQ QaQ)
7. Stop 'n Go (QQ
QaQ QQ QaQ)
8. Stop 'n Go ((QQ
QaQ QQ QaQ)
9. Change of
Places from L to R (QQ QaQ QaQ)
10. Link (QQ QaQ
QaQ)
11. Mooch (QQ QQ
QQ QQ QaQ QQ QQ QQ QQ QaQ)
12. Walks (QQ QaQ
QaQ)
13.Chasse into
Whip (QaQ QQ QaQ)
14. Walks (QQ QaQ
QaQ)
15. Chasse into
Whip (QQ QaQ QaQ)
16. Walks (QQ SS
QQ QQ)
17. 3-8 Fallaway
Throwaway (QaQ QaQ)
CONTINUE WITH #1
Silver Class Choreography
1. Rolling off the
Arm (QQ QaQ QQ QaQ)
2. Rolling off the
Arm (QQ QaQ QQ QaQ)
3. Miami Special (QQ
QaQ QaQ)
4. Overturned
Change of Places L to R (QQ QaQ QaQ)
5. Simple Spin (QQ)
6. Change of Hands
Behind the Back (QQ QaQ QaQ)
7. Link (QQ QaQ
QaQ)
8. Mooch (QQ QQ QQ
QQ QaQ QQ QQ QQ QQ QaQ)
9. Walks (QQ QaQ
QaQ QQQQ)
10. Chasse into
Whip (QaQ QQ QaQ)
11. 1-5 Fallaway
Rock (QQ QaQ)
12. Double Whip
Throwaway (QQ QQ QaQ)
13. Change of
Places L to R (QQ QaQ QaQ)
14. American Spin
(QQ QaQ QaQ)
15. Miami Special
QQ QaQ QaQ)
16. Change of
Places L to R (QQ QaQ QaQ)
12. Spanish Arms (QQ
QaQ QaQ)
13. Windmill (QQ
QaQ QaQ)
14. Stop 'n Go (QQ
QaQ QQ QaQ)
15. Spanish Arms
w/ Double Spin (QQ QaQ QaQ)
16. Windmill (QQ
QaQ QaQ)
17. Stop 'n Go (QQ
QaQ QQ QaQ)
18. Kick Ball
Change (QaQ)
19. Reverse Whip (QQ
QaQ QQ QaQ)
20. Overturned
Change of Places Left to Right (QQ QaQ QaQ)
21. Simple Spin (QQ)
22. Change of
Places Left to Right (QQ QaQ QaQ)
23. American Spin
(QQ QaQ QaQ)
CONTINUE WITH #1
Silver Class Videos and Further Study
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