The Beginner's Bulletin

How to Choose a Lindy Hop or Jive Class

By Lindy Hopper, Editor

'Swing dance class' can mean several different dances and formats. This guide helps you pick one you'll actually stick with.

Start with the dance, not the venue

Search for "swing dance classes" in most UK towns and you will find several quite different things under the same umbrella. Before comparing times and prices, it helps to know which dance you are actually signing up for.

Lindy Hop

Lindy Hop was created by African-American dancers in Harlem, New York, in the late 1920s and grew up at the Savoy Ballroom, where the city's best bands played for dancers. It mixes eight-count and six-count patterns, has a springy, grounded feel, leaves plenty of room for improvisation and playing with the music, and is danced to swing jazz. Its signature move is the swingout.

Jive (in its several forms)

"Jive" is the name that stuck in Britain after American servicemen brought Lindy Hop and jitterbug over during the Second World War. Today it covers several dances:

Ballroom jive – a fast, kick-heavy dance taught in ballroom and Latin schools and danced in competitions, where it sits in the Latin section despite its swing roots.
Modern jive – a simplified, mostly four-count partner dance, often taught in big friendly classes and danced to pop, rock and chart music as well as swing. Classes are often run under club names.
Rock 'n' roll and 1950s jive – energetic dances to rhythm and blues and rockabilly, often linked to the vintage and rockabilly scenes.

Other swing dances you may see

Many swing schools also teach Charleston (solo or partnered), Balboa (small, close and suited to fast music), Collegiate Shag, and solo jazz. Our styles guide explains each one.

None of these is "better" than another – they suit different people. If you love 1930s and 1940s big-band jazz and want a dance with room to improvise, Lindy Hop is probably for you. If you want to dance to modern music with lots of people quickly, modern jive may suit. If you fancy competing or already do ballroom, ballroom jive fits naturally. Many dancers end up doing more than one.

Drop-in class or course?

Classes generally come in two formats.

Drop-in classes let you turn up and pay on the night. They are great for trying something without committing, and handy if your weeks are unpredictable. The drawback is that each lesson has to stand alone, so progress can be slower.
Courses run over a set number of weeks – often four to ten – with each lesson building on the last. You usually book and pay up front. Courses tend to produce faster, steadier progress, and you get to know the same faces.

Plenty of schools offer both: a short taster or drop-in to see if you like it, then a beginners' course. Our beginners' courses page lists courses starting soon.

Questions worth asking before you book

Most organisers are delighted to answer questions by email or message. Useful things to find out:

Is it truly for absolute beginners? "Beginners" can mean "never danced before" or "learnt the basics last term". Look for words like "absolute beginners" or "no experience needed". Our guide to Lindy Hop levels explains how schools label their classes.
Do I need a partner? Almost never. Most classes rotate partners – see our guide to dancing without a partner.
Can I choose my role? Many schools now teach "leaders" and "followers" rather than "men" and "women", and welcome anyone in either role. If that matters to you, ask.
How big are the classes? Large classes have a buzzing atmosphere; smaller ones give more individual attention. Ask whether there are teaching assistants.
Is there a social dance afterwards? Practising at a social straight after a class is one of the fastest ways to improve.
What is the floor like? A wooden floor is kinder to joints than concrete or tiles.
Is the venue accessible? Check for step-free access, toilets and parking or public transport if you need them.
What does it cost, and what is the refund policy? If you miss a week of a course, can you catch up?

Signs of a good class

You will not know until you go, but these are reassuring signs on the night:

Teachers introduce themselves, explain what you will learn and check everyone can hear.
They break moves down slowly, count clearly, and then practise with music.
Partners rotate regularly, so nobody is stuck with the same person all night and everyone meets the room.
Teachers mention consent and comfort – for example, how to say no to a move or a partner, and that a class is not the place to give unsolicited advice.
They talk about the music and, ideally, the dance's African-American roots.
People of all ages, shapes and abilities look like they are enjoying themselves.
Questions are welcomed, and nobody makes you feel daft for getting something wrong.

Warning signs include teachers who ignore half the class, regulars who take over the floor during the lesson, or an atmosphere where beginners are left standing around. If a class does not feel right, try another. Most UK towns with a scene have more than one.

Practical matters: time, travel and money

A class that suits your week is a class you will keep going to. Think honestly about which evening you can reliably keep free, how long the journey is after work, and whether you will be able to get home after a late finish. A slightly less exciting class ten minutes away usually beats a famous one an hour's drive off.

Prices vary by region, venue and class length. As a rough guide, a UK drop-in class often costs somewhere between £5 and £10, and social dances somewhere between £5 and £15, with live bands at the upper end. Courses usually work out cheaper per lesson. Many schools offer student or concession rates.

Your first night

Arrive ten minutes early, say hello, and tell the teacher it is your first time – they will keep an eye out for you. Wear comfortable clothes and smooth-soled shoes, bring water, and expect to feel muddled for a while. That is normal. Our first class guide and etiquette guide cover what to expect.

Give any style three or four lessons before you decide. The first night is the hardest; by week three most people are grinning.

Find your class

Ready to choose? Search for classes near you, browse the full class directory by town, or jump straight to beginners' courses starting soon.

Try it on the floor: How to Do the Swingout · How to Do the Lindy Circle · How to Do a Tuck Turn · The Charleston: Kicks, Swivels and a Very Big Grin

Ready to try it? Find a beginners' class or browse Lindy Hop classes across the UK.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-23.