Classic Swing Era Jazz Steps
Please also visit our Resources section to see Videos of Vintage Jazz and Charleston dance steps.
SOLO VINTAGE JAZZ & CHARLESTON STEPS
- Boogie Forward
- Boogie Back
- Shorty George
- Truckin’
- Suzy Q
- Fall Off the Log
- Camel Walks
- Apple Jacks
- Spank the Baby
- Jump Charleston
- Crazy Legs
- Baggy Pants/Cool Breeze in the Knees
- Rubber Legs
- Tack Annies
- Shim Sham Break
- Half Break
- Tick Tocks
- Scarecrow
- Pimp Walk
- Shine your Shoes
- Slip Slop
- Skating
- Fish Tails
- Mess Around
- Bees Knees
- Snake Hips
- Duck Walks
- Helicopter
- Scissor Step/Kicks
- Hitch Hiking
- Eagle Slide
- Dust your Apron
- Around the World Charleston
- Skip Up
- Savoy Kicks
- Gaze Afar
- Broken Leg
- Squat Charleston
- Knee Slaps
- Crossovers
- Pecking
- Boogie drops
The Shim Sham
This is the Lindy Hop version of the 1927 Tap dance created by Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant. The Shim Sham is typically danced to T’aint Whatcha Do, Stompin’ at the Savoy, Tuxedo Junction.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2Z-lAi_2-8&w=516&h=315]
| Right Shim Sham | Left Shim Sham | Right Shim Sham | Shim Sham Break |
| Push, Push, Crossover Right | Push, Push, Crossover Left | Push, Push, Crossover Right | Double Cross Over |
| Tack Annie | Tack Annie | Tack Annie | Shim Sham Break |
| Half Break | Shim Sham Break | Half Break | Shim Sham Break |
| REPEAT WITH FREEZES IN PLACE OF BREAKS | |||
| Right Shim Sham | Left Shim Sham | Right Shim Sham | FREEZE |
| Push, Push, Crossover Right | Push, Push, Crossover Left | Push, Push, Crossover Right | Double Cross Over |
| Tack Annie | Tack Annie | Tack Annie | FREEZE |
| Half Break | FREEZE | Half Break | FREEZE |
| Boogie Forward | Boogie Back | Boogie Forward | Boogie Back |
| Shorty George | Jump Boogie Back | Shorty George | Jump Boogie Back |
| GRAB A PARTNER AND DANCE!Partnered dancing is usually interspersed by directions called out such as “itches”, “freeze”, etc… | |||