What is the difference between East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing?
East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing share many qualities such as music and some pattern similarities. It is best to focus on the differences. East Coast Swing is danced with no particular alignment, it turns right and left, and is mostly a rotational dance on the spot, not progressive. Once you master the basic triple rhythm a great emphasis is placed on pattern knowledge and variety. West Coast Swing, however, is danced with a flexible alignment structure. The lady travels back and forth along a slot or line while the man remains more centered in the middle. The man’s major function in this dance is to lead but move little. In this dance, the lady is the one “to shine”. In the beginning, West Coast Swing is more difficult to learn, but later on it allows for much more growth, creativity and individual expression. First, the basic 6 and 8 beat patterns must be mastered. To a great extent, most patterns branch off the basic patterns. East Coast is fun and quite easy. West Coast is a d
