The jive is a fast dance in the Latino style. This style became popular in the 1940s among the American public, who mainly used the style to dance to the then new genre of rock and roll. The jive has a lot of complicated movement patterns where you sometimes have to turn or lift your dance partner, but the foot pattern is fairly easy and consists of only 6 steps that are quite easy to learn.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Understanding the steps
Step 1. If you want to dance the jive, you must first learn the six basic steps
You count to 6 each time you dance, you do this as follows: 1-2-3-a-4, 5-a-6.
- The first two beats are the “link steps” also called “rock steps”.
- The third and fourth beats are a triple step to the left called “the chasse.”
- The last two beats are also a triple step, only to the right.
Step 2. A “chasse” in dance terms means sliding on one foot to one side (left or right)
During a jive, the triple step is a movement of three short side steps. That is why this is also called a triple step, or a triple step
Step 3. The link and the rock step are also important in the jive
A link or rock step is stepping with one foot behind the other foot and then lifting the other foot.
- You are supposed to lean back on your back foot and then forward on your other foot so that your weight is first on your back foot and then on your front foot. You should always lift your feet if you want to put your weight on one foot.
- Practice the rock steps to master this. This movement is an important part of the dance.
Method 2 of 4: Dance steps for men
Step 1. On the first beat, rock a step backwards with your left foot
Leave your right foot standing and shift your weight back so that it is on your left foot. This is the first count.
Step 2. Lift your right foot and then lower it again
This is the second beat of the rock step.
Step 3. Now step to the left with your left foot on the third beat, this is also called the first beat of the triple step
Step 4. Move your right foot to your left foot
This is the “a” or the second beat of the triple step.
Step 5. Now step to the side with your left foot on the fourth beat, or the third beat of the triple step
Step 6. Shift your weight to your right foot on the fifth count
Step 7. Now step to the right with your left foot on the “a” count
Step 8. Now step to the right with your right foot on the sixth beat, this is the last beat in the jive
Step 9. Now repeat the rock step and the triple step and move from left to right
Remember the counting method, 1-2-3-a-4-5-a-6.
Method 3 of 4: Dance steps for women
Step 1. Step forward with your right foot on the first beat
You don't have to do anything with your left foot.
Step 2. On the second count, shift your weight to your right foot
Step 3. On the third beat you step aside, this is also the first step of the triple step
Step 4. Now join with your left foot on the “a” or the second step of the triple step
Step 5. Now step to the right with your right foot without doing anything with your left foot
This is the fourth beat or the third step of the triple step.
Step 6. Shift your weight to your left foot on the fifth count
Step 7. Now step to the left with your right foot on the “a” count
Step 8. Now step to the left with your left foot on the sixth beat, this is the last step of the jive
Step 9. Practice the rock step and the triple step, always moving from right to left
Remember the way of counting, which is 1-2-3-a-4-5-a-6.
Method 4 of 4: Combining dance steps
Step 1. Always let the man lead
During the jive, the man and woman are constantly looking at each other. The man is the leader and the woman follows his movements.
- If the man starts with the left, the woman should start with the right so that you avoid bumping into each other's knees and the dance is very awkward.
- Imagine an invisible cord that brings the feet of both partners together. If the man moves, the woman must follow.
Step 2. Face each other and place your arms in a closed position
That means the man places his right hand on the left side of the woman's back and the woman places her left hand on the man's right shoulder. The woman's arm should be placed over the man's.
- You should stay about arm's length apart.
- Your hands should hold each other loosely. In this dance style you have to keep your arms loose and not too tight.
Step 3. Move your body so that your faces are slightly outward
Rotate your bodies so that your feet are not facing each other but slightly the other way.
This ensures that you do not always hit each other with your knees
Step 4. Use the six counts to perform the basic steps of the dance
You can count out loud. In any case, make sure that the man starts with the left and the woman with the right.
Relax your arms
Step 5. Practice without music first
This will help you master the basics and also prevent you from being distracted.
- Once you've mastered the basics, now you need to add the music. There are several good jive music mixes available. The jive often has a higher tempo than the swing so you need to practice a lot to keep up with the tempo.
- Follow the tempo of the music by mirroring the movements of your feet and legs. To do this, you need to move your hips slightly as you shift your weight during the rock step.
- Make sure your knees are slightly bent and try to follow the specific highlights in the music with your movements.
- Keep practicing on the basics until you're both good enough to dance.