Ballroom How-To · Single-Time Swing · Beginner

Watch Amy dance it, learn the slow-slow-quick-quick basic, and have a fun, upbeat dance ready for the next song that swings.

Amy and her partner William demonstrate single-time swing (1:59). Captions are built into the video, and the transcript is just below.

What’s in the video, and the full transcript
  • 0:00 Amy introduces single-time swing
  • 0:10 The hold and the basic: slow, slow, quick, quick
  • 0:36 Rotating the basic clockwise
  • 0:44 The outside underarm turn
  • 1:09 The basket
  • 1:26 The inside turn, then basket and inside turn together
  • 1:45 Where to learn more

Hi, I’m Amy Hanson, and today I’m going to demonstrate the single-time swing with my partner, William.

All right, single-time swing. We’re going to start in a closed position. The follower’s left hand comes on top of the leader’s right arm. We take a nice, relaxed hold over here. Followers step with the right foot to the side, leaders with the left foot. We have step, step; we rock, rock. Step slow, slow, quick, quick. We add in a little bit of swing motion with our hips to create that look and feel of our single-time swing.

We can add in some rotation, just like the hustle. We’re going clockwise in this one. Quick, quick, slow, slow, quick, quick, slow, slow.

Our next step is our outside underarm turn. Leaders will raise the left hand after they rock. Slow, slow, rock away. Bring your partner back. Notice how the leader and the follower change positions when they do that outside underarm turn. Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow, slow, quick, quick. We can get back to two hands and maintain our basic.

When we’re ready, we will do our basket. Leaders wrap the partner up on the right side of their body and send her out. We’ll try that again. Slow, slow, wrap them up. Slow, slow, wrap together. Slow, slow, rock step. Following our basket, we will then lead an inside turn. Slow, quick, quick. Good. We’ll put our basket together with our inside turn. Quick, quick, slow, slow. Here’s our basket. The follower goes, and then we trade places. Slow, quick, quick. There you have it.

Thanks so much for watching. I hope you guys enjoyed the video. Make sure to check out the other videos on the website. If you guys want to learn more, dive into some private lessons or group classes, please reach out to Ballroom by Amy.

Quick Answer

To start dancing single-time swing, learn the basic Amy teaches: step to the side, step to the other side, then a small rock step, counted slow, slow, quick, quick over six beats. Leaders start to the side on the left foot and followers on the right, then both rock back, away from each other, and replace. Add a little swing in the hips, then let the basic rotate slowly clockwise.

Single-time swing is the simplest way into swing dancing: four steps, no triple steps, and a happy, bouncy feel that fits everything from big band to rock and roll. It’s a crowd-pleaser at weddings and parties, and a great first partner dance.

This guide breaks down the basic from Amy’s video above, with footwork diagrams, a count-along video, two practice tracks and a five-minute drill. You don’t need a partner, experience or natural rhythm to start, just a little floor space and the count.

What you’ll learn

Skill

The single-time swing basic, both parts

Style

Social swing (single-time East Coast Swing)

Level

First-timer to beginner

Partner?

Optional. Practice it solo

Step 1: Learn the count before the feet

Single-time swing uses six beats of music for one basic. Amy counts it slow, slow, quick, quick: each slow takes two beats (1-2, then 3-4) and each quick takes one (5, then 6). Larry Caves and Kaye West’s “Walk In, Dance Out” pattern descriptions lay out the same single swing: a side step on 1, another on 3, then a rock back on 5 and a replace on 6.

Timing chart for single-time swing: six beats of music. Slow, side left, takes beats 1 and 2; slow, side right, beats 3 and 4; quick, rock back, beat 5; quick, replace, beat 6.
Four steps in six beats. The slows are side steps; the quicks are the rock step.

Single-time or triple-step swing?

Single-time swing is the simplest form of East Coast Swing. Where triple-step swing dances three little steps on each side, single-time takes just one, which is why it’s often the first swing people learn and handy for fast music, as East Coast Swing’s documented history and Ballroom Pages explain. Some teachers start the pattern with the rock step instead; Amy starts with the two side steps, and that’s what this guide teaches.

Step 2: Take a relaxed hold

In her video, Amy starts in a closed position: “The follower’s left hand comes on top of the leader’s right arm. We take a nice, relaxed hold.” Three things to remember:

  • Keep it relaxed. Swing is casual and friendly, so there’s no need for a stiff frame.
  • On the rock step, both partners step back, away from each other, then come back to center.
  • Keep the steps small, so the quicks never feel rushed.

Step 3: The leader’s basic, step by step

Leader footwork diagram seen from above, partner toward the top: 1 slow, left foot steps to the side; 2 slow, right foot steps to the side; 3 quick, left foot rocks back; 4 quick, weight forward onto the right foot.
Leader’s part, seen from above. Diagram: Ballroom by Amy.

Start: feet together, facing your partner, weight on your right foot, so your left foot is free to move.

  1. Slow (1-2): step to the side with your left foot.
  2. Slow (3-4): step to the side with your right foot.
  3. Quick (5): rock back on your left foot, away from your partner.
  4. Quick (6): shift your weight forward onto your right foot. Your left foot is free again for the next slow.

Say it the way Amy does: “Step, step; rock, rock.” Then switch to “slow, slow, quick, quick.”

Step 4: The follower’s basic, step by step

Follower footwork diagram seen from above, partner toward the top: 1 slow, right foot steps to the side; 2 slow, left foot steps to the side; 3 quick, right foot rocks back; 4 quick, weight forward onto the left foot.
Follower’s part, seen from above. Diagram: Ballroom by Amy.

Start: feet together, facing your partner, weight on your left foot, so your right foot is free to move.

  1. Slow (1-2): step to the side with your right foot.
  2. Slow (3-4): step to the side with your left foot.
  3. Quick (5): rock back on your right foot, away from your partner.
  4. Quick (6): shift your weight forward onto your left foot.

Your part is the mirror image of the leader’s. As Amy puts it: “Followers step with the right foot to the side, leaders with the left foot.”

Step 5: Put it together and let it rotate

Take a relaxed hold and dance the basic together: side, side, rock back, replace. Add a little swing motion in the hips as you change weight. Dance it in place until it feels automatic, at least eight basics in a row.

Then let it turn. In her video (0:36), Amy adds rotation “just like the hustle,” going clockwise. You’ll slowly circle together while the basic stays the same. If you’ve learned the hustle, this will feel familiar.

Watch the count-along lesson (under 3 minutes)

This short video walks both parts step by step, then counts along with you at a slow practice tempo and again at dance tempo. Press play and dance along; captions are available.

Read the video transcript

Let’s learn the single-time swing basic. It’s an upbeat, friendly partner dance, and you can practice it right where you are.

Single-time swing counts slow, slow, quick, quick. Each slow takes two beats, and each quick takes one, so one basic uses six beats. Count it with me: slow, slow, quick, quick.

The basic has three parts: a step to one side, a step to the other side, then a small rock step back and forward again.

Leaders, start with your feet together and your weight on your right foot. On the first slow, step to the side with your left foot.

On the second slow, step to the side with your right foot. On the first quick, rock back on your left foot. On the second quick, shift your weight forward onto your right foot.

Followers, you dance the mirror image. Start with your weight on your left foot. Slow, side on your right. Slow, side on your left. Quick, rock back on your right. Quick, replace onto your left.

Now let’s practice with the count. Listen for two long tones for slow, slow, and two bright tones for quick, quick. Here we go, nice and slow.

[Practice tones at 112 beats per minute: two long, deep tones for slow, slow, two bright tones for quick, quick.]

Now a little faster, closer to dance tempo. Keep your steps small and let your hips swing a little.

[Practice tones at 136 beats per minute.]

Two quick reminders. Keep the rock step small, so you’re on time for the next slow. And on the rock, step back, away from your partner, never toward them.

Want to dance it with an instructor? Ballroom by Amy teaches private lessons and group classes across the Twin Cities. Visit BallroomByAmy.com.

Amy’s tip

“We add in a little bit of swing motion with our hips to create that look and feel of our single-time swing.”

From Amy’s single-time swing video, at about 0:28.

Hear the counts: two practice tracks

These original practice tracks (no music, just tones) play the basic for you. After four soft count-in clicks, two long, deep tones mark slow, slow and two bright tones mark quick, quick. Press play, stand up, and dance along. Neither track plays automatically.

Slow practice · 112 beats per minute

Dance tempo · 136 beats per minute

What you’ll hear (text version)

Each track has no words or music. It opens with four quiet clicks to count you in. Then the pattern repeats every six beats: a long, deep tone held through beats 1 and 2 (slow), a second long tone through beats 3 and 4 (slow), then a bright tone on beat 5 and another on beat 6 (quick, quick). The slow track plays 14 basics in about 51 seconds and the dance-tempo track 18 basics in about 49 seconds.

Beyond the basic: the turns in Amy’s video

Once the basic is steady, Amy’s video shows where it goes next. These are best learned with a teacher, but here’s what to watch for:

Video 0:44

Outside underarm turn

The leader raises the left hand after the rock step and brings the partner back. Leader and follower trade places.

Video 1:09

The basket

The leader wraps the partner up on the right side of their body, then sends the follower back out.

Video 1:26

Into an inside turn

After the basket, the leader leads an inside turn and the couple trades places. Amy then puts the two together.

Common mistakes and quick fixes

Rushing the slows

Fix: each side step lasts two full beats. Step, then let the next beat go by before you move.

Rocking toward your partner

Fix: the rock always goes back, away from each other. If you bump, one of you rocked forward.

A giant rock step

Fix: keep it small. A big rock makes you late for the next slow.

“Wrong foot” on the next basic

Fix: make every step a real weight change. If you only tap, the wrong foot will be free when the next slow starts.

Your five-minute practice

  1. Minute 1: watch Amy’s basic at 0:10 in the video, saying “slow, slow, quick, quick” along with it.
  2. Minutes 2-3: dance your own part alone, no music, saying “side, side, rock, replace” out loud.
  3. Minute 4: play the slow practice track above and dance along with it.
  4. Minute 5: try the dance-tempo track. If it falls apart, go back to the slow one. That’s how everyone learns.

If finding the beat is the hard part, read why some songs make the beat hard to find.

Print the one-page swing practice sheet

Open the practice sheet (PDF)

Music, clothes and where you’ll dance it

The steps are only half the picture. Here’s what to play, what to wear, and where single-time swing will actually come in handy.

What music works for single-time swing?

Look for upbeat music with a steady four-beat pulse and a bouncy, swinging feel: big band, jump blues, rock and roll, rockabilly and some pop all work, as Ballroom Pages’ East Coast Swing guide explains. For competition, the NDCA’s American Rhythm swing tempo is 34 to 36 bars (about 136 to 144 beats) per minute, according to the Ballroom Pages tempo chart. Single-time feels easier as the music gets faster, because there’s no triple step to squeeze in.

Songs to try

  • Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Michael Bublé
  • Some Kind of Wonderful, Huey Lewis & the News
  • Ex’s & Oh’s, Elle King
  • Cooler Than Me, Mike Posner
  • Confident, Demi Lovato

From the East Coast Swing titles on the RPI Ballroom Team’s music list. Tempos vary by recording, so test yours: if you can count a steady “slow, slow, quick, quick” and dance the basic without rushing, it will work. The practice tracks above are a good warm-up first.

What should you wear?

For lessons and practice

Clothes you can move and turn in. Skip pencil skirts, scarves and long jewelry. Shoes matter most: smooth suede or leather soles that turn easily and stay on your feet.

For a wedding or party

Dress for the event, then check you can turn in it: nothing that catches on your partner’s hands during the basket, and shoes that don’t stick.

For competitions

Rules vary by event and level. Some newcomer and bronze events don’t allow costumes at all, so read the dress rules before you buy.

Avoid rubber soles, flip-flops and chunky or loose heels, which stick, slip or twist in turns. Advice drawn from Supadance’s guide to dressing for ballroom; the costume example is from the Berkeley Classic’s competition rules.

Where will you dance single-time swing?

  • Weddings and parties. Swing is a go-to for upbeat receptions, a playful parent dance or a fun surprise section in a first dance, as Ballroom Pages notes. See wedding dance lessons.
  • Galas, holiday parties and company events. When the band plays a big-band or rock-and-roll classic, swing is the partner dance that fits. Here’s how to get ready for a gala dance floor.
  • Swing and ballroom socials. Twin Cities swing nights and ballroom variety dances both play music you can swing to. Find nights on Where to Go Dancing in the Twin Cities.
  • Competitions. East Coast Swing is one of the American Rhythm dances.

Because the basic stays compact and rotates in place, single-time swing works even on a packed dance floor. Save the turns and the basket for when there’s room.

A little history

Where did swing like this come from?

East Coast Swing was created by dance studios, including Arthur Murray, in the 1940s, based on the Lindy Hop, which studios found too free-form to teach beginners, according to the dance’s documented history. It was first called “Eastern Swing” and goes by many regional names, including jitterbug. Single swing is its simplest rhythm, with plain steps in place of triple steps, which makes it a natural fit for faster music.

Next steps

Learn with Amy

Want to swing with confidence at your next wedding or party?

Ballroom by Amy offers private lessons and group classes for dancers across the Twin Cities. Beginners are welcome, and no partner is needed.

See private lessons
See wedding lessons
Email Amy

Or call or text 612-308-7708. Amy typically replies within one business day.

About Amy

Amy Hanson is the three-time defending Dancer’s Cup Tour Top Teacher. She has danced professionally and internationally and built friendships with dancers many people recognize from Dancing with the Stars. People who believe they’re not coordinated, confident, or good enough are exactly the beginners Amy loves to teach, and she also helps experienced dancers keep improving. No experience or partner is required.

Sources & Further Reading

AI-Assisted Content Disclaimer

This educational guide was created with assistance from artificial intelligence (AI), including portions of the written content and visual materials. While we strive to provide accurate and helpful ballroom dance information, AI-generated content and illustrations may contain errors or inaccuracies, including in dance positions, footwork, timing, and technique.

Please independently verify important information and use your own judgment when practicing. Images are intended to support learning and may not always represent technically precise movements. For personalized guidance and instruction, consider learning directly with a qualified ballroom dance instructor.

The lesson video is real footage of Amy and her partner William. The cover image of Amy’s video and the opening of the count-along lesson use an AI-generated illustration that does not show real people. The narration in the count-along lesson is an AI-generated voice. The footwork diagrams and practice tones were created for this guide.