How to Learn Dance Steps
Dancing increases stamina and flexibility, reduces stress and tension and strengthens bones and muscles. Just as there are many types of dance such as line dancing, ballroom, salsa, folk and hip hop, there are also many ways to learn to dance such as DVDs, online videos, local classes, private instructors, books and CDs. The following suggetions will help you learn any type of dance steps.
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Things You'll Need
- music
- a partner (not mandatory)
- comfortable shoes
- loose, comfortable clothing
- hard floor (not grass or carpet)
Instructions
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Training
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1
Begin by listening to or reading a description of the first step. In ballroom dancing and square dancing it is usually a bow or acknowledgment to your partner. Do not have the music on.
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2
Walk through the first step. It may be holding out your hand or stepping to the right or left. Read, watch or listen to the second step and perform it. Continue this way for about three to five steps. It may feel silly, but remember that you are exercising and you are building toward eventual grace. This is the same way that great dancers and ballerinas learn their craft.
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3
Repeat the first three to five steps now, without consulting the book or video. After a few routines, you should have it fairly well memorized so that you no longer need to think, "Step with right, stop, step with left, turn..."
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4
Turn on the music. If possible, set your CD player or machine to play only the first thirty seconds or so and repeat. If you are not able to do this, you will have to start, stop and replay manually.
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5
Listen to the beat. Usually you will hear the drum's rhythm, and these beats cue your movements. Now perform the three to five steps you have memorized. Each step, turn or motion should end with a beat. Keep in mind that even the greatest professional dancers occasionally "lose" the beat and get off track--just wait for the next beat and try again.
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Take breaks every so often. Schedule how long you want to practice daily or weekly. You may not learn the entire dance in one session, but once you accomplish a few steps, you can estimate how long learning a dance will take you. And many dances follow the same principles and have the same steps. Once you know one square dance (for example), most others are simply different combinations of the same moves.
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7
Check your progress. After enough practice, you'll be able to turn on the music and perform the whole dance from beginning to end. You can now teach a partner and dance together, or move on to another dance. After some time, return to dances you haven't performed in a while and practice them again so you won't forget them.
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