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Apr 22, 2024 · Basic dance steps for beginners. Plié. In French, “plié” means “to bend.” As an exercise, stand in ballet “first position”—this is where your heels are touching and your toes turn outward to...
- Overview
- Dancing Freestyle
- Slow Dancing with a Partner
- Dancing at a Wedding
- Learning New Moves
- What to Wear
Are you tired of standing in the corner of the room while everyone else is out on the dance floor? If so, you’re not alone—and we’ve got you covered! Dancing is a fun, mood-boosting activity that anyone can learn. Once you pick up a few basic moves, you can groove to any song and let the music guide your body. So, what are you waiting for? In this article, we’ll teach you some simple steps that you can whip out at any event, no matter your age or experience.
To freestyle dance, bob your head to the beat and shift your weight from one foot to another.
If you’re slow dancing with a partner, step to the left with your left foot, then slide your right foot over. Repeat this on the opposite side and let your partner mirror your moves.
To learn some new dance moves, sign up for a local ballroom class or find inspiration online: watch movies, shows, or viral videos and try to recreate what you see.
Bob your head to the rhythm.
To find the beat of the music, listen to the drums or bass, which typically carry the rhythm of the song. Let the music guide your body and start bobbing your head however you like. If it helps, you can try counting along, snapping your fingers, or clapping your hands to the beat.
Once you get your head moving, you can also work the rest of your upper body—roll your shoulders back, pop your chest out, or sing the lyrics if you know the song.
To get comfortable finding the rhythm of a song, listen to songs with a clear and pronounced beat. For example, you can try grooving to “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson (feat. Bruno Mars) or “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa.
Shift your weight from one foot to another.
When you have a good sense of the beat, you can incorporate some simple footwork. Shift all of your weight to one foot, then lift the other foot slightly off the ground. At every other count, shift back and forth in time to the music.
Get into position with your partner.
Stand face-to-face with your partner and get into a basic partner position. If you’re leading, put your right hand on your partner’s shoulder blade and interlock your left hand with their right hand, with your hands positioned in the shape of a pair of Cs. Instruct your partner to put their left hand on your right shoulder.
You can keep your clasped hands held as high as eye level or as low as waist level, depending on your preference. Just keep them relaxed, with a comfortable bend at the elbow, and don’t raise your partner’s shoulder.
Leave about 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) of space between yourself and your partner.
Make sure you and your partner agree on who is leading before you begin!
Although men traditionally lead in a slow dance, it doesn’t matter—have fun and pair up with any partner you like!
Learn the Chicken Dance for lighthearted numbers.
The Chicken Dance is a staple of many wedding receptions—it's easy to do because there are just 3 basic moves, and you change them in time with the music. To perform this low-pressure routine:
Raise your arms to shoulder level and line your thumbs up with your index fingers to create a shape that resembles a chicken's beak. Move your thumbs up and down to simulate a chicken clucking.
Then, ball up your hands and tuck your fists under your arms as though you have wings. Flap your wings up and down in time to the music.
With your wings still in place, continue flapping but now stick out your backside, bend your knees and wiggle your bottom down toward the floor.
Repeat these moves over and over until the song ends.
Take a dance class to pick up some basic moves.
There are dance classes for every style of dancing from hip-hop to ballet, break dancing to salsa. Search online for the classes in your area, and don’t be afraid to ask your instructor for tips—they can help you overcome whatever it is you're finding to be difficult.
When you are being taught a routine, look at what the teacher is doing. Try to copy it exactly. If it doesn't work, watch the teacher again and look for the little things they do that make it easier.
Since many dance styles have their roots in ballroom dancing, consider learning the cha cha, waltz, or foxtrot.
Even a few hours of class time can help you learn the basics and build your confidence.
Learn a viral dance to add some moves to your arsenal.
Put on comfortable dance shoes.
Different styles of dance call for different types of shoes, so do some research about what’s needed for your preferred style. Choose a well-fitting shoe with a flexible, thin sole for the dance floor, and make sure you feel secure.
For example, sneakers are great for hip-hop or freestyle dancing, while heels are ideal for Latin dance styles.
Do not wear sneakers or other shoes with rubbery or sticky soles for ballroom-style dancing, since these can make it hard to move your feet smoothly across the floor.
Stay away from platform shoes, since that thick sole and heel make it difficult to feel the floor.
If you tend to perspire, wear garments made of natural fibers like cotton, bamboo, or linen. These breathable fabrics draw moisture away from your skin, helping you cool down during your routine.
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- Yolanda Thomas
- The Two-Step: The two-step is a fundamental move for various dance styles, including country and ballroom. Begin by stepping to the side with your right foot, then bring your left foot to meet it.
- The Box Step: Perfect for dances like the waltz or foxtrot, the box step forms the basis of many ballroom routines. Start by stepping forward with your right foot, then side with your left foot, step back with your right foot, and finally, bring your left foot next to your right.
- The Grapevine: Common in line dancing and other genres, the grapevine involves crossing one foot behind or in front of the other while stepping to the side.
- The Cha-Cha Slide: A classic at parties, the cha-cha slide is all about following the steps called out in the song. It’s a fun way to get everyone involved and moving together.
Published February 26, 2018. Image Credit. Taken from a wide variety of dance genres, the basic moves below will get you started on your journey as a novice dancer. Many foundational steps work across all dance disciplines -- that step-ball-change is good-to-go in jazz, tap, and samba.
- Maerwydd Mcfarland
Jan 23, 2024 · How To Learn Dance Basics (The Right Way!) Charise Roberts. January 23, 2024. Reach your dance goals on STEEZY with 1500+ online classes, programs, and more. Get Started. If you want to become a good dancer, it's important to start your training with the very very basics.
Learn the East Coast Swing 6-Count Basic step. The basic pattern is quite simple: triple step, triple step, rock step. Follow the diagrams and watch the videos.
Learning how to dance is like learning how to drive - at first you proceed slowly and cautiously, but with practice, you'll be doing it automatically. If you want to learn the basic moves for the most popular ballroom dances, check out the descriptions and diagrams of the basic steps ( see the navigational menu on the left ).
