Free Lessons

Intermediate

Scott & Lisa teach steps, technique, or musicality in their free lesson for intermediate dancers. Dancers should have: 

  • attended at least a full series of swing dance lessons
  • mastery of lead/follow fundamentals
  • a strong repertoire of moves

Past intermediate moves lessons have included:

  • Crossed hands

  • Closed twists

  • Swing circle/tuck turn

  • Triple turns

  • Closed position variations

  • Basic Charleston

Past intermediate fundamentals lessons have included:

  • Musicality

  • Connection

Looking for introductory or special lessons?

Intermediate Lesson Tutorial

Developing Good Connections Lesson

Watch these helpful videos:

The principles of connection

Connection exercises and the Sugar Push

Definition of connection: 

engaged contact between leader and follower that allows a pathway of communication open for the leader to ask the follower to move, to which the follower Recognizes, Interprets and Responds

Intermediate Lesson Tutorial

Basic Charleston Lesson

Dancers with a basic knowledge of swing dancing learned the basics of this 1920s dance.

Intermediate Lesson Tutorial

Cross-Hands to Closed Position Twists

Closed Position Twists: 5 step routine:

  1. basic 6-count step from open position to get into cross-hands

  2. cross-hands to closed position*

  3. basic 6-count step in closed position**

  4. twists in closed position***

  5. lead out to open position

Key Points

*To closed position key point: the lead must direct the follower to do a 180 degree turn as the follower comes forward

**Basic in closed position key points: the lead must be back and from both hands

***Twists in closed position: the lead has a slight “opening up” on the one count, mostly from the right hand

Intermediate Lesson Tutorial

Swing Circle/Tuck Turn

Helpful Videos

Swing Circle

Key Points

Swing Circle key points: both go straight down the line; on the 3-count: leader puts right hand on follower’s back, must be side-by-side and rotated 90 degrees, follower puts left hand on top back of leader’s shoulder; follower does 360 degree turn, leader does 180 degree turn

Tuck Turn key points: think “open the book, close the book”; on the 3-count, leader’s left hand meets follower’s right hand flat w/ tension, slides right hand to middle of back, then push & raise hands and gently guides follower through

Tuck Turn