Solo Jazz Steps

Classic Swing Era Jazz Steps

SOLO VINTAGE JAZZ & CHARLESTON STEPS

  • Boogie Forward
  • Boogie Back
  • Shorty George
  • Truckin’
  • Suzy Q
  • Fall Off the Log
  • Camel Walks
  • Apple Jacks
  • Spank the Baby
  • Jump Charleston
  • Crazy Legs
  • Baggy Pants/Cool Breeze in the Knees
  • Rubber Legs
  • Tack Annies
  • Shim Sham Break
  • Half Break
  • Tick Tocks
  • Scarecrow
  • Pimp Walk
  • Shine your Shoes
  • Slip Slop
  • Skating
  • Fish Tails
  • Mess Around
  • Bees Knees
  • Snake Hips
  • Duck Walks
  • Helicopter
  • Scissor Step/Kicks
  • Hitch Hiking
  • Eagle Slide
  • Dust your Apron
  • Around the World Charleston
  • Skip Up
  • Savoy Kicks
  • Gaze Afar
  • Broken Leg
  • Squat Charleston
  • Knee Slaps
  • Crossovers
  • Pecking
  • Boogie drops

The Shim Sham

This is the Lindy Hop version of the 1927 Tap dance created by Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant. The Shim Sham is typically danced to T’aint Whatcha Do, Stompin’ at the Savoy, or Tuxedo Junction.

Chorus #1

Right Shim Sham Left Shim Sham Right Shim Sham Shim Sham Break
Push, Push, Crossover Right Push, Push, Crossover Left Push, Push, Crossover Right Double Cross Over
Tack Annie Tack Annie Tack Annie Shim Sham Break
Half Break Shim Sham Break Half Break Shim Sham Break

Chorus #2 – freezes in place of the Shim Sham breaks

Right Shim Sham Left Shim Sham Right Shim Sham FREEZE
Push, Push, Crossover Right Push, Push, Crossover Left Push, Push, Crossover Right Double Cross Over
Tack Annie Tack Annie Tack Annie FREEZE
Half Break FREEZE Half Break FREEZE
Boogie Forward Boogie Back Boogie Forward Boogie Back
Shorty George Jump Boogie Back Shorty George Jump Boogie Back

GRAB A PARTNER AND DANCE! Partnered dancing is usually interspersed by directions called out like “itches”, “freeze”, etc…