It takes time to learn Lindy Hop and become a good dancer, and you never stop learning, so don’t be in too much of a rush – you’ll get far more respect for being an awesome improver than if you’re an underpar Intermediate!
When considering which class level is for you, please bear in mind that “experience” and “skill” are two distinct words. “Experience” refers to the amount of exposure you have had to something. “Skill” refers to your ability to do something well. Please choose your level based on your skill not merely on your amount of experience.
Everyone is different, but hopefully this will help us all to enjoy our dancing and get the most out of our classes and the evening. If you feel in any doubt about which level is for you, please feel free to ask anyone with an ‘Orange Label’
Level 1
You’re brand sparkly new to swing dance and the ‘Lindy Hop’ and no previous dance experience is necessary. Our level 1 classes will take you through two terms of progressive teaching which will cover the basic steps, rhythms and moves to make you into a good Lindy Hop social dancer.
Even if you are lucky enough to have a natural knack for the dance (and only if!), we still ask you to attend a minimum of two terms of Level 1 before you consider joining Level 2.
Level 2
You no longer have to think about the basic footwork and have a growing repertoire of moves. You are trying to add musicality to your dancing, though it doesn’t always go perfectly. You’ll work on understanding how your body responds to music and hone your connection to both your partner and the music. If you have started attending classes and social dances regularly then this is the class for you!
Now that you are of a higher ‘experience’ level, than our new dancers in Level 1, we would really appreciate you continuing Level 1 as it will benefit your own dancing (muscle memory is your friend!) and will help out our newer members to practice with more experienced dancers. Both Level 1 and Level 2 classes are on the same night at different times and there is no extra charge for attending both.
Level 3
Now you want to take it to the next level and refine your techniques as well as expand on the moves you know. You are ready for a challenge! Be prepared to spend a lot of time working on areas such as momentum, pulse, lead/ follow connection, rhythm and musicality. You have the experience, versatility and skills to dance with anyone at most tempos, and you understand musical phrasing and lead follow techniques.
Because this class will focus on refining and deconstructing elements of the dance, as well as integrating more challenging variations, dancers should come to Level 3 feeling confident with: Swing Out/ Lindy Turn/ Lindy Circle/ Texas Tommy/ Basic Jazz Steps/ Changes in Rhythm/ Basic Tandem/ Smooth Changes Between Lindy Hop Rhythms/ Turning.
If you’re not sure whether this is the right level for you, try dancing to our ‘test’ songs below with a partner who is also ready for, or considering, Level 3 classes. Your dance should be varied, and over the two songs you will hopefully experiment with closed position, open position and a mixture of 8beat, 6beat and Charleston rhythms.
Be honest with yourself (and check with your partner) – you are probably ready to give this level a try if:
- you kept dancing throughout both songs (and didn’t have to stop).
- you kept moving comfortably with lindy footwork throughout both songs; if you perhaps lost your footwork once or twice, you were able to recover gracefully and keep dancing.
- you didn’t have much trouble staying on the tempo throughout both songs.
- you pulled off most of your moves (and if perhaps one move didn’t go quite to plan you adapted it while still looking after your partner).
- your transitions between “moves” and rhythms were smooth and comfortable for both of you.
