As a service to the West Coast Swing dance community we provide our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about WCS music. We appreciate your comments and questions regarding our WCS FAQs. Click to email

Q. What is West Coast Swing (WCS)?

A. WCS is a smooth, slower form of swing dancing that has its roots in earlier forms of swing dancing, mainly Lindy.  WCS is known for its elasticity of push and pull motions between partners where the follower (usually the lady) moves back and forth along an imaginary track or slot.  WCS is a partner dance based on basic patterns that allows for improvisation by both partners. As the dance has evolved, the interest in and emphasis on improvisation has increased. WCS was popularized on the west coast of the US and is the state dance of California.

Q. What kind of music is used for WCS dancing?

A. WCS music has 4 beats per measure, often referred to as 4/4 time. WCS dancers generally prefer tempos from 90 to 120 beats per minute (bpm). WCS can be danced socially as slow as 80 bpm and as fast as 130 bpm. The popularity of WCS has been attributed in part to the fact that WCS can be danced to a wide variety of music including new contemporary, traditional rock, country, and blues genres.

Q. What differentiates WCS music from other 4/4 time dance music?

A. Good WCS music has a strong beat on the 2 and 4 counts, also referred to as the upbeats. WCS dancing incorporates many triple steps (three steps to two beats of music) wherein the dancer emphasizes the last beat of the triple step. The rhythm of the dancer footwork and the music strong beat work together to form the unique dancing style.

Q. Are there other factors than the beat emphasis?

A. Yes, classic swing music has a distinct rhythm referred to as a “swung note” mostly heard in blues influenced music where the middle beat of a triple beat pattern is held longer than usual and the last beat of the triple is shortened.  In country music this is sometimes referred to as a shuffle note. In WCS dancing this is counted as “and a one, and a two” where the “and” is held longer and the “a” is said quickly. This is contrasted with the standard straight time count of “one and two, three and four” where the “one and” and the “three and” are of equal duration.

Q. Are there other rhythm patterns used in WCS?

A. Yes, two other types of music styles are suitable for WCS dancing, hustle and cha-cha.  Hustle music consists of a more even beat emphasis where each “1, 2, 3, 4” carries roughly the same intensity.  The characteristic cha-cha is a strong “1” beat followed by less intense and even “2, 3, 4” beats. Many hustle and cha-cha songs are comfortable for WCS dancing.