Tuesday 19 February 2013

How obscure “Jive” become most popular dance style?

In the beginning, jive has no other official name and it is considered as “Lindy Hop” because some steps and moves are closely related to this type of dancing. Since this was first named in the year 1927, its history can draw your attention in the 18th Century. Like many other dance styles, Lindy Hop also emerged on older styles but both open and closed positions made Lindy Hop very unique. And the positions are quite impressive for the professional dancers and the synchronization has made it perfect for swing music. The partners can improvise with the use of open position.

Some dances like Charleston and Breakaway were mixed by the dancers in Harlem for creating some more styles. With the new music, the dancers were started performing triple along with eight-beat pattern of 1, 2, 3 and 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. This new style was spread in many countries instantly and become very popular. In the year 1935, a premier dance contest was postponed in New York City because the venue was overcrowded and the contestants were ready to perform Lindy Hop, Foxtrot, Rumba, Polka, Tango and Waltz. Without any explanation, Lindy Hop was changed its name to “Jitterbug Jive” in the 1942.

What is the secret behind name?
In the beginning, the word “jive” was quite unclear because of its meaning. This dance form is also associated with early jazz and swing and this was also associated with teasing, glib, pretention or foolish talk. Perhaps, it might arrive from English word “gibe” or West-African word “jev”. Also, the reason behind the connection of this word with dance is also obscure. Perhaps, it may be because of popular saying “guys are jiving” means “they are fooling around”. Basically, this name became popular due to Cab Calloway who connected it with swing music and this is published in African-American slang dictionary for the first time.

When was it changed?
In the 1940s, there are lots of frequent changes made in jive dance lessons Bloomfield. Although it was introduced in the market of Europe already in the 1930s, the World War II was the first time when most Europeans had seen the dance. Jive had become popular quickly in UK in many dance studios. And the Lindy Hop, which was 8-beat dance in the beginning, quickly converted into 6-beat dance in the 1940s with several new styles. The six-beat dance patterns were proved simpler along with four-beat patterns in which lots of repetitions added for the lady.

Conclusion
Europeans loved this name and used it daily because of its simplicity mainly in terms of telling. This was developed in more competitive and trendy style in France and Germany. Hopefully, you may have realized that the word “Jive” is a generic term basically used in any dance style which is associated with Lindy Hop and swing music. The Jive dance can also be associated with Hollywood Style, B-Bop, Le Bop, Rock-n-Roll, Swing, Boogie Woogie, Jitterbug, Push, Shag Whip and even more. So, take appointment in your nearest Jive dance classes Bloomfield to learn this form of dance.

Via

Jive Dance lessons Bloomfield

No comments:

Post a Comment