The Shim Sham: Classic Swing Line Routine

Students learn the Shim Sham, the line routine danced at every swing party since the 1930s, with its four sections and the freeze breaks. It builds choreographic memory, group timing, and a feel for jazz rhythm.

How to play

1. Spend 2 minutes explaining that the Shim Sham comes from tap dance and that at swing dances everyone does it together. Set students in five staggered lines.
2. Section 1, the shim sham step: a stomp-and-weight-change pattern repeated on both sides. Practice for 4 minutes in eight-counts while you call the count.
3. Section 2, the push and cross, and section 3, the tacky annie (heel-out steps). Spend 4 minutes on each and link them.
4. Section 4, the half break and full break (stops with a pause), each finished with a frozen pose. Practice for 3 minutes.
5. Run the full routine to slow music (3 minutes). On the second run, add freezes: when you call "Freeze!" the whole group holds for two eights and then continues.
6. Finale: dance the whole Shim Sham to the traditional song, then everyone free-dances with the person next to them for the last chorus (5 minutes).

Rules

• Each line stays in line: move forward and back together to avoid collisions.
• Mark stomps lightly, without jumping or slamming your heels.
• During freezes, no one moves until the teacher counts the group back in.
• Lines rotate each run so everyone gets a turn in front.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student follows the sections with arms, claps, and wheelchair movement.
• Autism: provide a visual chart of the four sections and always give a warning before freezes.
• Lower skill level: learn one section at a time over two lessons before running it all.

Learning goals

• Memorize and perform a traditional four-section routine.
• Dance in sync with the group while observing the freezes.
• Understand the role of the Shim Sham in swing dance culture.

Equipment for a class of 25

• music
• speakers: 1

Teacher tip

Write the section names on a whiteboard where everyone can see them: it helps memory a lot. The classic Jimmie Lunceford recording is the standard, but start with a slower version.

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