Jitterbug Dance Steps

Jitterbug dance, a unique and a different name. When I first read it, I thought someone must have written it wrong. But instead I was wrong, it is called jitterbug and it has some interesting reasons on why this phrase contains "jitters" and "bugs".

As far as my research says, Cab Calloway (1907-1994) discovered this famous term, but some people also claim that Harry Alexander White popularly known as "Father White" coined this term with his band mate Duke Ellington. Jitterbug became a household name after that. When people became addicted to jitterbug, they were termed as "jitterbugged". Now jitterbug dance was freestyle dancing, you could dance the way you wanted to which made this dance form later evolve into many improvising stages. In the early 20th century it became associated with swing dancers who danced without any knowledge or control. So whenever you are swing dancing, whatever style you may opt you are a jitterbug, "Like it or Not".

Easy Jitterbug Dance Steps

These dance steps are tons of fun, if you think you have two left feet and think that you want to start of with an easy dance style, then jitterbug dance steps are for you. Jitterbug is a type of swing dance and has become a rage in the US parties since the 90s. Even if you never knew or never liked to dance, you will be jitterbugged by just looking at some basic jitterbug steps. Learning these steps is more fun if you take classes, or else if you can't find a class near your block, read the steps mentioned below and train yourself. The basic dance steps are counted in six counts of music.

Jitterbug Basic
For new comers let's start off with some basic and easy dance steps.

Men Steps
(These are the man's steps, the woman should be facing the man in either an open or closed dance position)

1-2: Step on the left side with the left foot, with a slow step in two beats of music.
3-4: Step in place with the right foot, with a slow step in two beats of music.
5: With the left footstep back of the right heel, perform this in a quick step in 1 beat of music.
6: Step in place with the right foot in a quick step with 1 beat of music.

Women Steps
(Steps for women, your man should be facing in either an open or closed dance position)

1-2: Step on the right side with the right foot with a slow step in two beats of music.
3-4: With your left footstep in place with a slow step in two beats of music.
5: Step back with right foot off the left heel, make it a quick step in one beat of music.
6: Step in place with the left foot, make it a quick step in one beat of music.

Jitterbug Advanced
After you have mastered the basic, let's go on to advanced. Advanced jitterbug dance steps can keep the fun part going on and make your body flexible and agile.

Cuddle Step
In this step, the follower walks forward more than side to side and the dancing partners often change positions. While the dance steps have to be open or closed, the cuddle step gives a lot of movement space and is a type of "sideways hug" in the middle of a step.

Triple Step
You will forget the jitterbug basic dance steps, if you get comfortable with the triple step. Triple step basically means, that you take two triple steps instead of two initial steps. The outcome is that you take six small steps instead of two basic steps.

Jitterbug Turns
Once you have enough practice of jitterbug dance moves, move on to some jitterbug turns. A practice of some turns can make your dance moves attractive and at the same time a lot of fun.

Learning jitterbug dance steps is not at all difficult. You just need some regular practice and a little dash of confidence. I would say, it's a good option to join a class if you are really interested in mastering the jitterbug dance.