Love to Lindy

[Gav]

I'm thinking back to when I started AT and the hardest thing then was dancing in time to music that had no discernible beat (as traditional AT music doesn't). So I bought some CD's and listened while tapping along and I think that helped me to "get it" much quicker.

Well, with Lindy I think the issue will be getting my feet to "rock-step, dum-de-dum, step-step, dum-de-dum" (yes, Joseph makes us sing that as we practice) without me having to think about it.
So, I figure listening to the right kind of music and tapping my feet might help me to "get it" quicker this time.

Anyway, the internet is so full of info, I can't make sense of it at the moment, so bearing in mind that it's Hollywood Lindy (I think - very smooth, not very bouncy/jumpy):

Can you suggest some suitable tracks/discs for a beginner please?

TIA.

[straycat]

Originally Posted by Gav

Can you suggest some suitable tracks/discs for a beginner please?

Off the top of my head - a nice varied mixture
Swing Lover - Indigo Swing
Comes Love - Campus Five
For Dancers Only - Junior Mance (OK - so its a bit more complex, but so smooth and musically rich )
Rockhouse - Ray Charles
Shout Sister Shout - Lucky Millinder
Rack 'em Up - Yoko Noges & John Watson
Tuxedo Junction - Erskine Hawkins & his Orchestra

When I get home, I'll see if I can come up with specific some CD recommendations for you.

[clevedonboy]

A couple used by Graeme and Ann for Begiiners in Bristol
Afternoon of a Moax - Charlie Barnet
Boogie Woogie - Tommy Dorsey (more than 1 version the original & best is about 3 mins 10 sec)
Lucille - Little Richard
Shake Rattle & Roll - Big Joe Turner

Other than that I'd go for the likes of Benny Goodman (All The Cats Join In is just about my fave swing song), Artie Shaw (Softly as in a morning sunrise), Duke Ellington (C Jam Blues) and Count Basie (One O'clock Jump). The early to mid 30s is probably the best era for "easy" tunes - much of the later stuff is brilliant but has influences from Be Bop and other Modern Jazz styles so can be a bit less accessible.

[straycat]

Here's some you can get easily from jazz-on-line.com - not all what I'd call ideal beginner music, but all great tracks, and they're all reliable 'staples' for me when DJing.

Fats Waller - Dry Bones
Ellington's C Jam Blues (as mentioned by Clevedon Boy)
Sammy Davis Jr - Love Me Or Leave Me
Erskine Hawkins - Tuxedo Junction
Jimmie Lunceford & Orchestra - T'ain't What You Do (this is pretty much THE definitive version)
Jimmie Lunceford's For Dancers Only is another classic version
Slim & Slam - Jump Session
Slim & Slam - Buck Dance Rhythm
Tommy Dorsey & his Orchestra - Swingin' on Nothing
Glenn Miller - Song of the Volga Boatmen (OK - so this is far from a 'beginner' track, but it's such an awesome piece of music I couldn't resist)
Glenn Miller - Johnson Rag

[Gav]

Thanks for all the music suggestions, I'll be looking for them this weekend.

2nd lesson tonight.
Last week was basic 8 count, promenade, pecks (don't ask ) and some kind of promenade variation that had a double turn.
This week was a prome-not and a swing-out (and of course, lots of practice).
I like the swing out , lovely move .
Something "clicked" tonight and I actually had a brief moment where I relaxed and enjoyed it, but that didn't last long .
Lots of nice compliments about having a strong lead, which was nice.
As if I wasn't enjoying it enough, the last few songs they play are a chance for the experts to really show off. Joseph, Trisha and Charlotte are amazing to watch and an inspiration.

[Genevieve]

Originally Posted by Jivejunkie

I went with Genevieve to a 40's and 50's dance in COventry a few weeks ago where they did it, no lessons though, but it was great. You do need a partner who can read your mind and a love for 50's swing though!

Namedropper!

[Gav]

3rd lesson last week.
Recapping all the previous lessons and building on them again.
I have to say that I think this is where Joseph & Trisha's teaching is making it quite easy to pick up so far. Each week builds on the previous week instead of just learning some new moves.

Anyway, this week we built up to Lindy turns and Lindy circles. Simple enough to the slow music in the beginners lesson, but easy to get mixed up during the faster music in freestyle .

I'm re-discovering all the things I'd forgotten since learning MJ . That there are some experienced followers that are easy to dance with and some that aren't. The biggest one is that I'm finding myself a little intimidated by the really good followers. Everything works fine when I'm dancing with other beginners and good, experienced followers, then one of the 'really good' followers asks me to dance and I go to pieces and forget everything. I hate feeling like a 6 year-old being patronised by an older kid.

A little observation of note, on this forum we moan from time to time about bouncing and hand-bouncing being taught (or at least teachers/demos doing it on stage and beginners learning by copying) at certain venues. There are a few people totally new to dancing at my Lindy lessons and some of them have been bouncing and hand-bouncing naturally! Obviously the staff are trying to stamp it out, but I thought it was interesting that some people just do it instinctively.

[Stuart]

I went to a Lindy class a couple of weeks ago whilst I was on a training course in Plymouth (I didn't fancy another night in the pub talking about work) and I have to say that I enjoyed it.

I'd like to try a bit more but as with so many things, it is a case of finding the time for it.