The jive is a very fast and lively Latin dance that became famous in the 1940s, when young Americans began to adapt the movements to the notes of the emerging rock and roll. Although there are many complicated types of jive, some of which include throwing and partner rotation, the basic dance consists of a well-defined 6-movement pattern, which is really easy to practice and masterfully performed over time.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Understanding the Jive Steps
Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the 6-step pattern
Learning to dance the jive is easy once you have mastered the initial steps, which are the basic movements. There are 6 movements in the basic steps and the rhythm is: 1-2-3-and-4, 5-and-6.
- Times 1 and 2 are called "link steps" or "rock steps".
- Times 3 and 4 consist of a triple step to the left, called a "chassé".
- Times 5 and 6 consist of a triple step to the right, or another "chassé".
Step 2. Understand the movement of the chasse
In dance the "chassé" consists in sliding one foot to the side.
In the jive these steps include three lateral movements, short and regular, which is why the chassé is called "triple step"
Step 3. Understand the "link step" or "rock step"
It is a movement that consists of putting one foot behind the other and lifting the front foot.
- The idea is to balance back on the back foot and then forward on the front foot, shifting your weight first to the back foot and then to the front foot. However, you should always lift them as if you are carrying the weight backwards and then forward.
- Practice performing some "rock steps", to get a clearer idea of the movements that make it up. This is an essential step in the jive.
Part 2 of 4: Learning the Steps of Man
Step 1. Step back with your left foot on the first half to make the rock step
Leave your right foot in place and shift your weight to your back (left) foot. It is the 1st time (in the images the foot marked with an L is the left one, while the one marked with an R is the right).
Step 2. Lift your right foot and then put it down
This is the 2nd beat of the rock step.
Step 3. Step sideways with your left foot
This is the 3rd time, or the 1st of the triple step to the left.
Step 4. Move your right foot until it joins your left
This is the 3rd time "e", or the 2nd in the triple step.
Step 5. Step sideways with your left foot
This is the 4th time, or the 3rd in the triple step.
Step 6. Shift your weight onto your right foot
This is the 5th time.
Step 7. Step to the right with your left foot
This is the "and" time.
Step 8. Step to the right with your right foot
This is the 6th time, which is the last of the jive.
Step 9. Repeat the rock step and the triple step again, moving from left to right
Remember to count 1-2-3-and-4, 5-and-6.
Part 3 of 4: Learning the Woman's Steps
Step 1. Step back with your right foot on the 1st beat of the rock step
Leave the left foot in place (in the images the foot marked with an L is the left foot, while the foot marked with an R is the right).
Step 2. Shift your weight back onto your left foot
This is the 2nd half.
Step 3. Step to the side with your right foot
This is the 3rd time, or the 1st of the triple step.
Step 4. Move your left foot until it joins the right
This is the 3rd time "e", or the 2nd of the triple step.
Step 5. Step to the side with your right foot
Leave your left foot in place. This is the 4th time, or the 3rd of the triple step.
Step 6. Shift your weight onto your left foot
This is the 5th time.
Step 7. Step left with your right foot
This is the "and" time.
Step 8. Step to the left with your left foot
This is the 6th time, which is the final one of the jive.
Step 9. Practice rock step and triple step again, moving from right to left
Remember to count 1-2-3-and-4, 5-and-6.
Part 4 of 4: Combining the Steps
Step 1. Always leave the guidance of man
The jive is danced with the woman and man facing each other. The man leads and the woman follows his movements (in the images the foot marked with an L is the left foot, while the foot marked with an R is the right).
- The man starts with the left foot, while the woman starts with the right, so that the knees do not hit and the dance proceeds without any problem.
- Imagine an invisible thread that connects the man's feet to the woman's. As the man moves, the woman's movements should follow him.
Step 2. Stand facing each other and place your arms in a closed position
This means that the man will have his right hand on the upper left of the woman's back, while the woman will have her left hand on the man's right shoulder. The woman's arm should rest on the man's arm.
- The distance between the man and the woman should approximately measure the length of one arm.
- The other hand of the man has to grasp the other hand of the woman rather freely. In jive, the arms should not be too hard or stiff, but relaxed.
Step 3. Position your body so that you are both oriented just outward
Turn the body so that the feet are slightly apart and form an angle.
This way you can move freely without hitting your knees
Step 4. At the 6th time, complete the basic jive steps
You can count both aloud all times. Make sure the man starts the left foot and the woman starts the right.
Keep your arms loose and relaxed
Step 5. Train without music
By doing so, you will be able to learn the basic steps of the jive well and will avoid being distracted by the piece of music.
- Once you are comfortable with the basic steps, start the music. On the Internet you will find several well-known compilations that contain fantastic songs for jive dancing. Tendentially, jive music has a faster rhythm than that of swing. Therefore, by practicing and improving your performance, you can also learn to move faster.
- Follow the rhythm of the music, accentuating the movements of the feet and legs. To do this, move your hips as you shift your weight back onto your left or right foot during the rock step.
- Keep your knees bent and try to mark the beats of the piece of music with the 6 beats of the jive.
- Keep practicing with the basic steps of the jive, accentuating the movements according to the rhythm of the music until you have become familiar enough with this dance.
