Classes

• Introduction
• Plymouth City Centre
  • Every Wednesday and the first Saturday of each month
  • Lindy Hop levels 1, 2 & 3/4
• Plymouth - La Tasca
  • Every Sunday
  • Balboa levels 1 & 2
• What to Expect
• Sessions and Levels

Session and Level Descriptions

You can also download or print this information as a leaflet

Practice Sessions/Social Dancing

We have allocated time between our lessons for social dancing which is when you get to practise what you've learnt. We feel that these opportunities are really valuable because you get to refine your ability to lead and follow properly. This is also an opportunity to ask the teachers any questions you have regarding the class.

Beginner Lessons (Level 1)

We aim to structure our lessons so that they are suitable for any new beginners that come along each week. Owing to the nature of the dance, some weeks will be harder than others depending on the content we cover. Each week you'll learn a new piece of the 'jigsaw' so that after attending several lessons you have the knowledge and confidence to attend the improver class.

All swing dances are based on a specific footwork pattern which we will go over before using the pattern to dance through figures with a partner. We also recommend that you practise your footwork at home as it really helps to make these patterns become second nature. In any one class we endeavour to teach you a sequence of figures that you can repeat throughout an entire track of music. As you get better you will be able to use the moves you've learnt in an order dictated by the leader. Both Lindy Hop and Balboa are 'lead and follow' dances which means that the lead (usually a man) chooses and dictates the moves danced. Although we teach the moves in a particular sequence, the figures can be danced in a variety of different ways.

Improver Classes (Level 2)

This class is aimed at those comfortable with the content of the beginner classes. For some classes there will be an expectation that you already know a specific footwork pattern. We usually run our improver classes in blocks. It is obviously favourable to transition up to this level in the first or second week of each block. If you're hungry to learn more, it might be possible to attend the improver class straight away because the content may have no pre-requisite. If you'd like to attend this class and would like to know more, simply ask!

Intermediate Classes (Level 3)

This class will cover more complicated figures. To attend this level you will need to be comfortable with figures such as the basic, swing out, circle, side by side Charleston and 20s Charleston. Once again, ask if in doubt.

Advanced Classes (Level 4)

This class is for people that have been dancing for some time. To attend this session you must be comfortable leading/following all of the basic figures and their variations at different tempos. These classes will not only tackle more complicated figures but will be centred around concepts and techniques to make what you do even better.

We hope you have a great evening at Mad About Swing.

More details: what to expect