Western Norway Swing

One begins to practice the dance by everyone standing in a large circle and holding hands. The steps used are side steps for the boys and turns for the girls.

Explanation

1. Participants walk sideways in the circle clockwise, turn and go the other way – to music. Gradually, one turns more and more often, until it's down to one step per side.
2. Practice the basic step: two steps to the left – one step to the right (like a 'back step') (1–6).
3. Turn: Go once around on the first two steps to the left (start with the left foot), and one step sideways back to the right (1–6).
4. Practice basic step and turn: Participants do the basic step, and turn when the leader calls out 'turn'. One can also practice by alternating between the basic step and the turn every other time. Feel free to try with faster music when participants master the steps.
5. Participants pair up (boy and girl) and face each other: The girls stand still while the boys take side steps around them – always facing the girl they are dancing with. Then the boys stand still while the girls perform their turn steps around the boy. Finally, both perform their steps simultaneously: the boys with side steps and the girls with turns. It is important that the pairs start at the same time.
6. Participants take each other's right hand and perform their steps (still slow music): The boy swings the girl under his arm without releasing her hand. The leader demonstrates how to avoid 'locking' the grip. Practice this. The boy sends the girl around alone and receives her with his left hand. He swings the girl around both by holding her hand and by releasing her hand. Practice both.
7. Practice starting the swing: The couple's hands meet (the girl places her hands in the boy's), and they dance towards each other and away from each other to find the rhythm, before the boy starts the actual swinging. Dancers choose how long they want to swing with each hand before switching. Now participants have learned the basics of Vestlandssving. After this, one can build upon it with various figures. The way one dances swing varies from region to region and from person to person. Use your creativity and find your personal style.

Progression (learning)

• Start with slow music and gradually increase the tempo.
• Emphasize that the boy leads, and the girl should 'read' his lead.
• Emphasize rhythm, not so much counting and precise steps.
• The boy must clearly mark the stop at the end of the beat to avoid uncontrolled arm movements.
• Change partners often, and let the dancers try and fail.
• The leader goes around helping and dancing with those who struggle to find the rhythm.