6 or 8 count
Last week, I missed a lindy hop class. My friend told me afterwards that it was when the 6-count swing steps was introduced. I made it to class this week and it was a continuation of the 6-count steps. I was a bit nervous because I might have a lot of catching up to do but when the class started, I was able to pick up the steps straight away.
What I fail to understand is the difference between what I learned from the two previous weeks that I attended. The timetable indicates that those classes were lindy hop charleston, which still does not answer my question on the difference between the 6-count and the 8-count. I turned to trusty Google, Wikipedia and YouTube. As luck would have it, I am more confused now than I was when I came out of the class last night.
In one video clip, the explanation came as the count of the beats — one being 6, the other 8. Okay. But that description seems so trivial even when I could not figure out in my head the reason for the segmentation. Perhaps what is also making it difficult for me is the fact that I don’t like counting when dancing. I know that for some people, counting helps in learning a dance step but relying on it sometimes hinder the rest of the elements like grace and musicality. I did it this way before but now I look, do and listen.
- Look — I watch the instructor do the steps
- Do — I mimic the steps
- Listen — I listen to how the steps ‘plug in’ to the music
This is how I learn to dance these days. It is not a recommendation although you are welcome to try it but I cannot guarantee that it will work for you. Each person has his or her own way of learning new things. To me, look-do-listen approach works for me.
Having said that, I am beginning to see that I am doomed in understanding the difference between 6-count and 8-count swing steps. Well, for now at least. I welcome and would be grateful for any wisdom words from you dear readers! Just leave a comment below.
