West Coast Swing Musicality | Accenting the '1' 

So glad to heart that! Musicality is really what makes WCS come alive. For people who really want to geek out about musicality I recommend becoming a member of our website. The musicality section has some really interesting stuff.www.westcoastswingonline.com/technique/musicality/ You can try it for a month for just $1 with this link -- www.westcoastswingonline.com/1-trial-offer/

You are very welcome! Musicality is important at the higher levels. We can't cover everything but hopefully this helps! Happy dancing! -Brian

Hi Cheryl. Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad you liked the video. Its a ver complex subject and this is only one aspect of it. I'm happy to know that people are enjoying it! -Brian

Thanks Bruce! I'm excited for this one. Musicality is a popular subject! -B

Super glad you like it Jen. It was a requested video but you never know what people will like. We are really excited that its going over so well. -Brian

Thanks! We LOVE sharing helpful stuff :-) -B

You are the man. Thanks for sharing this!!!

I'm with you! There are so many variables and it's a tricky topic. Here is another video that's helpful ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qBb2p8yGvwU.html Also our website has some articles that will help fill in the blanks. www.westcoastswingonline.com/category/musicality/ I hope that helps! -B

Always welcome. Thanks for the support. -B

Thanks! -Brian

Hi Benjamin, Great questions. Yeah there are LOTS of details to cover. This video just offers suggestions on how to accent the 1 in the music with a couple easy examples depending where in the music you're starting. If you're not familiar with "Counting Straight 8's" in WCS.. Then head over to your musicality resource page on the website and watch that video! www.westcoastswingonline.com/musicality-resources/ You'll have to... Click on the link: "The #1 Key to Musicality for WCS" Enter your email and you'll get the video "counting straight 8's" I think it will help fill in the blanks! Of course our paid course covers everything (a single youtube video can't cover it all) but there are PLENTY of free resources on our RU-vid & our website that will be a big help! Hope that helps a bit! Brian B

HI Angelica, Yes musicality is how to interpret the music! What we are doing in this video is what I call "counting straight 8's" We are counting the numbers in the music, not the pattern. Its the first step to unlocking 'musicality' I have a great video on the subject here: (you might have to enter your email address to watch the whole thing) westcoastswingonline.wistia.com/medias/eqjs0q6hp9 There are many levels to the process.... the video I shared in the comment section will help bridge the gap between counting the 'pattern' and counting the 'music' once you make that leap then the details of the music will be more available to the dancer. It helps us 'predict' accents in the music as we dance! The video we posted included different patterns to use to hit accents in the music. Its actually one step beyond the link I shared above. I hope that helps a bit! -Brian PS if you want more cool WCS stuff head over to our site. There is LOTS you can learn there. www.westcoastswingonline.com/try-it-free/

West Coast Swing Online Thank you so much!

You're very welcome. Soot me any more questions you might have. I'm always available! -Brian

Hi Christianna, That is a great question. There is no single WCS basic. The 'sugar push' is kind of considered the basic pattern but really you need 3 patterns to get you by. The push, a pass and a whip. I did this video as a 'crash course of sorts' It might help in short order! Take a look. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UUG7669CMW0.html If you really get into WCS I created an AWESOME course of EVERYTHING you'll need to be a good WCS dancer. Its over on my website at: www.westcoastswingonline.com/west-coast-swing-online-courses/ I hope that helps a bit. Best of luck to you! -Brian

Many Thanks. I shall practice those. Really get into it? Heh, dancing is my passionate pastime, I'm already into it, it's just a matter of how much I shall have time for. ;) Anyhow, thanks again.

I recently discovered if you start on the 'rock step' in East coast, the sugar push is the exact same rhythm 5,6, 1&2,3&4. Thats probably not the correct way to teach or count but it sure helped me understand how the two are related.

In the beginning I think we all count our steps in our head. Then I think its a good idea to count the music in our heads. In the end I think it ends up as a 'feeling' so we no longer need to actually count. Does that help explain it a bit? -Brian

West Coast Swing Online yes, thanks for the quick reply.

Anytime! We are always here to help -Brian

Not sure what you mean. Megan's neck is just fine. Perhaps just good posture. -B