Building Your Lindy Vocabulary:
Essential Moves for the Intermediate Dancer
You've got the basics down. Now it's time to expand your repertoire, deepen your musicality, and truly start playing with the rhythm.
So you’re past the “what’s a rock step?” phase. You can swing out without panic, you’re (mostly) on time, and social dances are a source of joy, not terror. Welcome to the intermediate plateau—a fantastic place that can also feel frustratingly static. The key to breaking through? Strategic vocabulary expansion.
It’s not about collecting a hundred moves. It’s about learning the right moves—the ones that unlock new pathways, improve your connection, and make you a more versatile and musical dancer. Think of these as the essential "utility" moves every intermediate dancer should have in their toolbox.
The Philosophy: Concepts Over Combos
Before we dive into the moves, remember this: at the intermediate level, your focus should shift from sequences to concepts. Each new move is a lesson in mechanics, connection, and timing. Ask yourself: What does this teach me about leverage? About pulse? About my partner’s axis?
The Texas Tommy
The Gateway to Wraps & Turns: This classic move is deceptively simple. It’s not just a cute variation; it’s your introduction to leading and following a wrapped inside turn. The magic lies in the clear preparation and the leader’s hand sliding across the follower’s back to create the turn. Mastering this builds the foundation for a whole family of wrap-based moves.
The Swing-Out from Closed
The Essential Reset: Can you lead or follow a swing-out without starting in open position? This is non-negotiable. It teaches you how to generate momentum from a standstill, using compression and body torque. This move is your secret weapon for changing dynamics mid-dance and recovering from any tight spot.
Tandem Charleston (Side-by-Side)
Rhythm & Teamwork: Moving beyond face-to-face Charleston unlocks a new dimension of play. Tandem is all about shared rhythm, mirroring, and matching energy. It’s less about leading/following and more about conversing with your partner’s movement. This is where you start to really play with syncopations and breaks.
The Inside Turn (from Open)
Fundamental Redefined: You learned this on day one, but at an intermediate level, you need to master its nuances. How do you lead it with just body connection, no arm signal? How do you follow it without anticipating? Practice it slowly, focusing on using the center and maintaining a consistent pulse throughout the turn.
Beyond the Move: The "Why" Behind the "What"
Learning these moves isn't a checkbox exercise. With each one, drill down into the principles:
- Connection: Is the move led with tension, compression, or a mix? How does the connection point change?
- Momentum: Where does the energy come from? Where does it go?
- Musicality: Does this move suit a particular instrument or rhythmic pattern? Try it to different songs.
- Variation: What happens if you change the footwork? The timing? The arm styling?
Your Practice Challenge
This week, pick one move from this list. Don't just add it to a combo. Isolate it. Practice it with three different partners. Try it to a slow song, a fast song, and a bluesy song. Break it, then fix it. Master the concept, and you'll find a dozen new doors have opened.
The floor is yours. Go build your vocabulary.
Share Your Progress #LindyVocabularyRemember, the goal isn't complexity—it's clarity, connection, and conversation. These essential moves are your new alphabet. Now go write some poetry. #KeepSwinging
