Blues Idioms: What Are They?
What we call “blues dancing” is actually a collection of various regional dances, or "idioms," that were created by Black communities throughout the United States from the late 19th to mid-20th century. These dance styles are direct reflections of the time, music, people, and places where they were danced.
While these idioms vary greatly based on historical venues, music, and other factors, they share several common elements. Generally speaking, blues idioms are united by a shared athletic posture and connection to the ground, a consistent pulse, multiple centers of movement, collaborative partnering, and a relaxed quality, among other characteristics.
Blues idioms include the following, though there are many more: Savoy Walk, Stride, Strut, Slow Drag, Grind, Fishtail, Piedmont Triple, Struttin', Texas Shuffle, Funky Butt.
While these idioms vary greatly based on historical venues, music, and other factors, they share several common elements. Generally speaking, blues idioms are united by a shared athletic posture and connection to the ground, a consistent pulse, multiple centers of movement, collaborative partnering, and a relaxed quality, among other characteristics.
Blues idioms include the following, though there are many more: Savoy Walk, Stride, Strut, Slow Drag, Grind, Fishtail, Piedmont Triple, Struttin', Texas Shuffle, Funky Butt.
Ballroomin' and Jookin': Umbrella Terms
Ballroomin’ is a unique group of blues dances with a shared aesthetic that developed in ballrooms like the Savoy in Harlem. The dancing expanded to fill that space, with couples striding, pivoting, and grapevining across the floor. Ballroomin' is typically danced to blues with jazz influences or slow jazz.
Ballroomin' Example
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Jookin' is a group of dances that grew alongside the music played in juke joints, honky tonks, rent parties, and other small venues. These venues tended to be crowded with small dance floors, leading to dances that were more stationary or 'on the spot.' Dancers would play with rhythm, angles, frequent changes of direction, and more hip movement.
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Slow Jookin' Example
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Specific Blues Idiom Dances
Below are some of my favorite idiom dances. In each demo, my partner and I showcase both the basic steps and some fun variations. We’ve also included a short description of each dance, highlighting its characteristics, aesthetic values, or a brief history.
Piedmont TriplePiedmont, or Piedmont Triple, is a simple, relaxed spot dance that emerged from the Appalachian foothills in the 1920s alongside the music. Piedmont blues music typically relies on a single acoustic guitar with intricate fingerpicking. This rhythmically driven music can be challenging to dance to for the unprepared, but Piedmont Triple fits it perfectly.
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StrideStride is a line-of-dance ballroomin’ blues idiom, danced to jazzier blues music. Characterized by its constant forward drive and unique reaching steps, this dance makes you feel like you’re sneaking across the floor, looking damn elegant while you do it.
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Struttin'Struttin’ is a relaxed one-step blues dance that originated in Memphis clubs. Especially useful for dancing to live music at dive blues bars, this dance can be done in very little space while still allowing for creativity in footwork and shaping.
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Savoy WalkDeveloped in and named for the most famous ballroom in New York City, the Savoy Walk was danced to slower blues songs played by jazz bands as breaks from their faster numbers. The Savoy Walk alternates between a simple traveling two-step basic and showier turns and tricks.
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Further Reading
We recommend the following resources for learning more about the rich history of these dances and the music that inspired them:
- Recommended Reading - Explore Dance Historian Damon Stone's compilation of books on Black Vernacular dance.
- Obsidian Tea - Learn more about Black culture through the lens of blues music and dance.
- Additional Resources for Understanding Blues Idiom Dances:
- Blues Idiom Dances by Laura Chieko.
- Blues Idiom Dance: Stylistic groupings of vernacular dance created with blues music by Damon Stone.