Mini Dip

The Mini Dip is an eight-beat move, but its rhythm pattern differs from the normal eight-beat rhythm. The move starts as a six-beat change of places for the partners, but is then extended for an additional two beats. As a result, the rhythm pattern for the move is even-odd-odd-even instead of the normal even-odd-even-odd.

The main distinguishing feature of the move is the lifting of the hand and leg on beats 7 and 8. This movement is not directly led; the follower has to recognize the move based on the signal of the lowering of the leader's hand on beat 3.

front view reverse view detail
1. M:BL W:BR Start from an open position, with the leader's right hand holding the follower's right hand. The leader takes a step backward on his left foot. The follower takes a step backward on her right foot.
2. M:RR W:RL The leader replaces his weight on his right foot. The follower replaces her weight on her left foot.
3. M:FL2R W:FR2L The leader takes a step forward on his left foot, turning 90° to his right, pulling his right hand towards himself and firmly drawing it down towards the floor. The follower takes a step forward on her right foot, turning 90° to her left. (image: direction of lead)
5. M:FR4L W:FL4L The leader takes a step forward on his right foot, turning 180° to his left. The follower takes a step forward on her left foot, continuing to turn another 180° to her left. (image: facing view)
6. M:StL W:StR The leader lifts his left foot next to his right foot, with the left knee bent, raising right hand and clicking fingers, extending his left hand towards the follower. The follower lifts her right foot next to her left foot, with the right knee bent, taking the leader's left hand with her right hand, and raising her left hand.
7. B:0B Both the leader and the follower hold their position.
&. M:TL W:TR The leader closes his left foot to his right foot. The follower closes her right foot to her left foot.
8. M:TR2L W:RL2R The leader closes his right foot to his left foot, turning 90° to his left turning to face the follower. The follower replaces her weight on her left foot, turning 90° to her right.
 
 
Close

Welcome

Welcome to an incomplete book about Lindy Hop.

I wrote the text here five years ago, based on my notes from when I was originally learning Lindy Hop in the mid-1990s. My original plan was to take a large number of illustrative photographs, which would make the bare text much more comprehensible.

However, that was five years ago and I've not gotten as far as taking a single photograph. So rather than waiting any longer, I thought it worth releasing the text as-is, in case it's useful to anyone else.

I'd interested to hear any feedback, but unfortunately I can't promise to do much about it.

And maybe one day I'll get as far as illustrating the book, and creating the originally-intended printed version:

This book is dedicated to the memory of Frankie Manning (1914-2009), Ambassador of Lindy Hop.

David Drysdale
November 2012

Close