2. WHAT IS “JIVE”
In Ballroom dancing, Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time
that originated in the United States from African-
Americans in the early 1930s. It was originally
presented to the public as 'Jive' in 1934 by Cab
Calloway. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the
Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance. Glenn Miller
introduced his own jive dance in 1938 with the song
"Doin' the Jive" which never caught on.
Jive is one of the five International Latin dances. In
competition it is danced at a speed of 176 beats per
minute, although in some cases this is reduced to
between 128 and 160 beats per minute.
Many of its basic patterns are similar to these of the
East Coast Swing with the major difference of highly
syncopated rhythm of the Triple Steps
(Chasses), which use straight eighths in ECS and hard
swing in Jive.
4. HISTORY OF JIVE
Originating in the United States in the
1940s, Jive was influenced by the Boogie, Rock
& Roll, African/American Swing and Lindyhop.
5. CHARACTERISTICS OF JIVE
Jive and East Coast Swing share many
figures, as well as the same music style and
tempo. The basic look and feel of Jive is lots
and lots of energy, with the legs portraying a
pumping action. Both the East Coast Swing and
basic Jive consist of two triple steps and a rock
step. The Jive differs in that the count begins
with the rock step, which is counted "1,2." The
two triple steps are counted "3 and 4" and "5
and 6."
6. JIVE MUSIC EXAMPLES
This excellent Latin Jams series of dance
music CD's offers several Jive tracks.
"Little Bitty Pretty One" - Latin Jam 1
"The House Is Rockin" - Latin Jam 2
"Get Over It " - Latin Jam 3
"Beretta" - Latin Jam 4
"Roadside Jump " - Latin Jam 5
9. JIVE ACTION
Jive is a very happy, boppy, energetic
dance, with plenty of knee-lifting, bending, and
rocking of the hips. The fastest of the Latin
dances, Jive incorporates lots of kicks and
flicks, even twirling of the woman, and doesn't
move around the dance floor like other dances.
Although Jive dancers may appear to be
moving their feet haphazardly in every
direction, the feet are actually well-controlled
under the body with the knees close together.
11. MAN’S PART (JIVE BASIC IN PLACE)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION
Begin Closed position.
1 1 Left foot closes to
right foot.
2 2 Replace weight to
right foot.
3-5 1a2 Chasse to side,
LRL.
6-8 1a2 Chasse to side,
RLR.
12. LADY’S PART(JIVE BASIC IN PLACE)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION
Begin Closed position.
1 1 Right foot closes to left
foot.
2 2 Replace weight to right
foot.
3-5 1a2 Chasse to side, RLR.
6-8 1a2 Chasse to side, LRL.
14. MAN’S PART (FALLAWAY ROCK)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Closed position.
1 1 Left foot back
in fallaway
position.
1/8 turn to left between
previous step and 1,
leading lady to turn 1/8
to right.
2 2 Replace weight
to right foot in
promenade
position.
Begin to turn to right.
3-5 1a2 Chasse to side,
LRL.
1/8 turn to right, leading
lady to turn 1/8 to left, to
end in closed position.
6-8 1a2 Chasse to side,
RLR.
No turn.
15. LADY’S PART (FALLAWAY ROCK)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Closed position.
1 1 Right foot
back in
fallaway
position.
1/8 turn to right between
previous step and 1.
2 2 Replace
weight to left
foot in
promenade
position.
Begin to turn to left.
3-5 1a2 Chasse to
side, RLR.
1/8 turn to left to end in
closed position.
6-8 1a2 Chasse to
side, LRL.
No turn.
17. MAN’S PART (FALLAWAY THROWAWAY)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTI
ON
NOTES
Begin Closed position.
1 1 Left foot
back in
fallaway
position.
1/8 turn to left between previous step and 1, leading
lady to turn 1/8 to right.
2 2 Replace
weight to
right foot in
promenade
position.
Begin to turn to right.
3-5 1a2 Chasse
diagonally
forward,
LRL.
Lead lady to turn 3/8 to left over steps 2-5. Lower left
hand to waist level.
6-8 1a2 Chasse
forward,
RLR.
1/8 turn to left between 5-6, leading lady to do same.
Release right hand from lady's back and extend left arm
slightly, to end in open facing position.
18. LADY’S PART (FALLAWAY THROWAWAY)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Closed position.
1 1 Right foot back in
fallaway position.
1/8 turn to right between
previous step and 1.
2 2 Replace weight to
left foot in
promenade
position.
Begin to turn to left.
3-5 1a2 Chasse to side,
RLR, ended with
right foot side &
slightly back.
3/8 turn to left over steps 2-5.
6-8 1a2 Chasse backwards,
LRL.
1/8 turn to left between 5-6.
Release left hand from man's
shoulder and end in open
facing position.
20. MAN’S PART (LINK)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Open facing position.
1 1 Left foot back,
away from
partner.
Extend left arm slightly,
leading lady to step back
away from you.
2 2 Replace weight
to right foot.
Retract left arm slightly,
leading lady to step forward
towards you.
3-5 1a2 Chasse forward,
LRL.
Return to normal closed
position dance hold.
6-8 1a2 Chasse to side,
RLR.
21. LADY’S PART (LINK)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Open facing position.
1 1 Right foot back,
away from partner.
2 2 Replace weight to
left foot.
3-5 1a2 Chasse forward,
RLR, toward man's
right side.
Return to normal
closed position
dance hold.
6-8 1a2 Chasse to side,
LRL.
23. MAN’S PART (CHANGE OF PLACES R TO L)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Closed position.
1 1 Left foot back in
fallaway position.
1/8 turn to left between
previous step and 1, leading
lady to turn 1/8 to right.
2 2 Replace weight to
right foot in
promenade
position.
Begin to lead lady to turn to
left.
3-5 1a2 Chasse
diagonally
forward, LRL.
Lead lady to turn 1/4 to left
over steps 2-3. Release right
hand from lady's back and
begin to lead her to turn to
right on 5.
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
24. LADY’S PART (CHANGE OF PLACES R TO L)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Closed position.
1 1 Right foot back in
fallaway position.
1/8 turn to right between
previous step and 1.
2 2 Replace weight to
left foot in
promenade
position.
Begin to turn to left.
3-5 1a2 Chasse to side,
RLR.
1/4 turn to left between 2-3.
Release left hand from man's
shoulder and begin to turn
left on 5.
6-8 1a2 Chasse
diagonally back,
LRL, ended with
left foot back.
3/4 turn to right under raised
right hand over steps 5-8.
End in open facing position.
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
26. MAN’S PART (CHANGE OF PLACES L TO R)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Open facing position, LH-RH hold.
1 1 Left foot back,
away from
partner.
Extend left arm slightly,
leading lady to step back
away from you.
2 2 Replace weight
to right foot.
Retract left arm slightly,
leading lady to step forward
towards you.
3-5 1a2 Compact
chasse, LRL.
1/4 turn to right over steps
3-5. Lead lady to turn to left
under raised left hand.
6-8 1a2 Chasse forward,
RLR.
1/8 turn to right between 5-6.
Lower left hand to waist
level at end of lady's turn.
27. LADY’S PART (CHANGE OF PLACES L TO R)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Open facing position, LH-RH hold.
1 1 Right foot
back, away
from partner.
2 2 Replace weight
to left foot.
3-5 1a2 Turning
chasse, RLR.
1/2 turn to left under
raised right hand over
steps 3-5.
6-8 1a2 Chasse
backwards,
LRL.
1/8 turn to left between
5-6. End in open facing
position.
29. MAN’S PART (CHANGE OF HANDS BEHIND BACK)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Open facing position.
1 1 Left foot back, away
from partner.
Extend left arm slightly, leading
lady to step back away from
you.
2 2 Replace weight to
right foot.
Retract left arm slightly,
leading lady to step forward
towards you.
3-5 1a2 Chasse forward,
LRL, toward lady's
right side.
1/8 turn to left over steps 3-5.
Lead lady toward your right
side. Take lady's right hand
with your right hand and
release left hand hold.
6-8 1a2 Turning chasse,
RLR, ended with
right foot back.
3/8 turn to right over steps 6-8.
With both hands behind back,
place lady's right hand in your
left hand and release right
hand hold.
30. LADY’S PART (CHANGE OF HANDS BEHIND BACK)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Open facing position.
1 1 Right foot
back, away
from partner.
2 2 Replace weight
to left foot.
3-5 1a2 Chasse
forward, RLR,
toward man's
right side.
1/8 turn to right over
steps 3-5.
6-8 1a2 Turning
chasse, LRL,
ended with left
foot back.
3/8 turn to right over
steps 6-8.
32. MAN’S PART (HIP BUMP)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Open facing position, LH-RH hold.
1 1 Left foot back,
away from
partner.
2 2 Replace weight
to right foot.
3-5 1a2 Chasse forward,
ended side, LRL.
1/4 turn to right over 3-5 to
end in left side-by-side
position. Retract left arm to
lead lady to chasse forward
toward you.
6 a No step. Bump your left hip against
lady's right hip (or shoulder
against shoulder).
7-9 1a2 Chasse side,
ended back,
RLR.
1/4 turn to left over 7-9 to
end in open facing position.
33. LADY’S PART (HIP BUMP)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Open facing position, LH-RH hold.
1 1 Right foot back,
away from
partner.
2 2 Replace weight to
left foot.
3-5 1a2 Chasse forward,
ended side, RLR.
1/4 turn to left over 3-5 to
end in left side-by-side
position.
6 a No step. Bump your right hip
against man's left hip (or
shoulder against shoulder,
according to his lead).
7-9 1a2 Chasse side,
ended back, LRL.
1/4 turn to right over 7-9 to
end in open facing
position.
35. MAN’S PART (WALKS, SINGLE COUNT)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Closed position.
1 1 Left foot back in
fallaway position.
1/8 turn to left between previous step
and 1, leading lady to turn 1/8 to right.
2 2 Replace weight to
right foot in
promenade position.
3 1 Left foot diagonally
forward in promenade
position.
Lead lady to turn to left between 2-3.
4 2 Right foot forward &
across in promenade
position and CBMP.
Lead lady to turn to right between 3-4.
5-6 1,2 Repeat steps 3-4 (up
to three times).
36. MAN’S PART (WALKS,TRIPLE COUNT)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Closed position.
1 1 Left foot back in
fallaway position.
1/8 turn to left between
previous step and 1,
leading lady to turn 1/8 to
right.
2 2 Replace weight to
right foot in
promenade
position.
3-5 1a2 Chasse
diagonally
forward in
promenade
position, LRL.
Lead lady to turn to left
over 3-4. Begin to turn
lady to right on 5.
6-8 1a2 Chasse forward &
across in
promenade
position and
CBMP, RLR.
Lead lady to turn to right
over 5-6.
37. LADY’S PART (WALKS, SINGLE COUNT)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Closed position.
1 1 Right foot back
in fallaway
position.
1/8 turn to right between
previous step and 1.
2 2 Replace weight
to left foot in
promenade
position.
3 1 Right foot side. 1/4 turn to left between 2-3.
4 2 Left foot forward
in promenade
position.
1/4 turn to right between 2-3.
5-6 1,2 Repeat steps 3-4
(up to three
times, according
to man's lead).
38. LADY’S PART (WALKS, TRIPLE COUNT)
STEP# COUNT DESCRIPTION NOTES
Begin Closed position.
1 1 Right foot back in
fallaway position.
1/8 turn to right between
previous step and 1.
2 2 Replace weight to
left foot in
promenade
position.
3-5 1a2 Chasse to side,
RLR.
1/4 turn to left over 3-4.
Begin to turn to right on
5.
6-8 1a2 Chasse forward
in promenade
position, LRL.
1/4 turn to right over 5-6.
41. WHAT IS “BOOGIE”
Boogie dance, or boogie-woogie, is a
form of swing dancing. It is called
boogie-woogie in Europe, but this dance
is more commonly known as East Coast
swing in the United States. It's most
often seen now in dance
competitions, which are run by the World
Rock 'n' Roll Confederation.
42. HISTORY OF BOOGIE
Boogie-woogie was originally called
"barrelhouse" dancing. During the
1950s, today's boogie-woogie would have been
known as "rock 'n' roll." Although the dance can
go with boogie-woogie music, it's more often
paired with rock music. Because rock 'n' roll
dance was already established in dance
competitions, boogie-woogie had to find an
alternate label. It adopted a name based on the
music with which it was often paired: fast-
paced, piano boogie-woogie.
43. THE FACTS
Swing dance dates back to the
1920s, when the black community began
dancing the lindy hop and Charleston to
jazz music. When the Savoy Ballroom
opened in New York in 1926, it became
the swing center of the world. In the
1930s, a new style called the jitterbug
was introduced, followed in the1950s by
the boogie-woogie, or East Coast swing.
44. FAMOUS CONTACTS
In 1938, Cab Calloway and The Whitey's
Lindy Hoppers performed at the Cotton
Club Review. The Hoppers danced to a
fast blues song called "A Lesson in
Jive." This was the legendary start of the
boogie dance.
Boogie dance is best danced with
rockabilly music, as performed by such
artists as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and
Jerry Lee Lewis.
45. FEATURES
The step variation for boogie dance is six or
eight count with sharp, quick movements.
Boogie-woogie can be danced in social
situations (mostly in Europe), or in competitions
(worldwide). As a competitive dance, boogie-
woogie is a "led" dance, without any
choreography or acrobatic movement. Boogie-
woogie can be slow or fast. When fast beats are
used, boogie-woogie often moves into East
Coast swing, Hollywood style and jitterbug.
46. MISCONCEPTIONS
Boogie-woogie is a distinct form of
swing dance. Although it originated in
the '50s after other forms of swing, it
does have its own set of steps. Many
people confuse it with the lindy
hop, which it closely resembles. The two
are not interchangeable, however.
Another misconception is that as a form
of swing dancing, boogie-woogie must
be fast paced. Boogie-woogie dance and
music can, however, be slow.
50. THE BEGINNING
Start with your feet next to each other and stand
facing the center of the room. Step back with
your left foot and step in place with your left
foot. Bring your left foot forward and tap with
your toe beside your right foot, then step in
place with your left foot. Tap with your right toe
and step in place with your right foot. As you
tap your toe and step with each foot, try to turn
your feet out a little so your toes are pointing a
little away from your body. The rhythm should
sound like this: "step, step, tap-step, tap-step,
step, step, tap-step, tap-step". Gradually pick up
speed as you feel comfortable doing these
steps.
51. THE TURN
Do the same steps as described in the first section. Add
a turn by taking advantage of the "tap, step" patterns.
Step back with your left foot, step in place with your
right foot, and tap your left foot beside your right foot.
Instead of stepping in place with your left foot, turn
your body to the right and place your left foot to the
right and at a 90-degree angle. You will be facing the
back of the room. Tap with your right foot and as you
step with your right foot, continue turning clockwise so
that you are now with your right shoulder toward the
center of the room. Step back with your right foot and
continue turning clockwise so that you are facing the
center of the room. As you continue with the pattern by
tapping and stepping with your left foot, turn counter
clockwise so that you will end up turning completely
around the other way and end up facing front again.
52. One way to think of the turn is that it is
similar to a yo-yo on a string. Once you
spin the yo-yo in one direction it stops,
then begins turning in the opposite
direction. With this turn you go in one
direction, stop, then turn back in the
direction you came. Practice the turn
until you can do it up to tempo.
53. ADD A PARTNER
While the man does the basic
boogie steps back and forth
described in section one, the
woman can do the turn described
in section two. As the man lifts his
arm, the woman can turn beneath
it, mirroring his steps and adding
the turn as she does so.