HowToDoThings.com Recent Dance Articles

How To Dance to Hip Hop

October — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:15:58 -0600

To dance is basically to let go and see what comes out of it. It doesn't matter if you are dancing freestyle or to a routine. These tips should help either way.

How To Prepare for a Dance Audition

MissJessica482 — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:04:29 -0500

Dance auditions can be one the the most nerve-wracking experiences there is, but these pointers should help keep you cool and confident.

How To Slow Dance

Sharon423 — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 14:12:00 -0600

There is nothing like the threat of a slow dance to entice anxiety in an individual. The fear and dread surrounding slow dancing probably starts in middle school, and for many individuals it never seems to cease. Consider your first experience with the mysterious realm of slow dancing. I was actually turned down the first time I ever tried to initiate a slow dance. I was four years old and a flower girl in a relative's wedding. At the reception, I desperately wanted to dance with the ring bearer who, being typical of any four-year-old boy, had no interest at all.

Below you'll find helpful suggestions designed to demystify the art of slow dancing. Fortunately, you'll be pleased to know that you don't have to be Ginger Rogers or Fred Astaire to be successful at slow dancing.

How To Tap Dance

Sharon423 — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 09:17:00 -0600

Tap dancing is a lively form of dance that originated in the 1800s and has complex roots in several forms of dance (including Irish step and English clogging). Tap dancing enjoyed renewed interest during the late eighties thanks to legendary performer, Sammy Davis, Jr., and his role in the popular movie, "Tap." Tap dancing is less constrictive than other forms of dance, particularly ballet. While it can take years to master ballet, if ever, it is entirely possible to discover tap dancing later in life and still perform quite respectably.

How To Belly Dance

Sharon423 — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 16:15:00 -0500

Belly dancing is rooted in ancient religious rituals involving goddess worship and fertility. Belly dancing is not only a form of human expression but also an effective way to get a great abdominal workout. Also known as Oriental dance in some regions of the world, Belly Dancing provides a very intense workout for your abdominal muscles. Despite how elegant and graceful a belly dancer appears, the intensity and effort required of the abdominal region makes belly dancing a challenging form of exercise for all those who try it, perhaps with the exception of professional athletes.

How To Hula Dance

Sharon423 — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 21:48:00 -0500

Hula dancing, a form of dancing native to Hawaii, provides entertainment but has its roots in ancient ritual. The purpose of Hula dancing is to convey meaning through movement. Hula dancing intertwines the performers with the spirit of the universe by unifying their existence with nature. Even if you fail to experience a meditative quality while performing the Hula, you can still learn a basic foundation to enjoy this art form.

This article will address three basic hula steps. You will also be presented with two basic hand movements and instructions for combining the hand movements and basic steps. Hula dancing is a complex art form, and there are many hand motions used to signify aspects of nature. One article simply cannot cover the complexity of Hula dancing and the beauty of this ancient tradition. If you master the following steps and hand motions, you will have a basic foundation from which to build and become a great Hula dancer.

How To Dance

Noelle359 — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 11:15:00 -0500

Even though there are many different styles of dance, each with its own moves and techniques, there are some basic fundamentals of dancing that are important for all dancers to develop no matter which style of dance you are learning. These fundamentals include posture, technique, rhythm and presentation.

How To Salsa Dance

Noelle359 — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 13:03:00 -0500

There are many different styles of Salsa depending on where you come from. However, most of the basic steps are the same. The differences come in the styling and the time of the steps.

Timing. The timing of most Salsa steps is quick (Q), quick (Q), slow (S). The quick takes one count of music and the slow takes two counts of music. This means you have to hold one beat, or count, of music when ever you have a slow count. The timing for the basic step is below after the description of each step.

Footwork: Basic step

How To Learn Ballet Dancing

Sharon423 — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 14:02:00 -0500

How To Learn Ballet Dancing

How To Swing Dance

Noelle359 — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 12:30:00 -0500

There are many different types and styles of Swing. One of the most popular styles is called East Coast Swing, or Triple Time Swing. It consists of a rotating basic step with lots of spins and turns and is danced to moderately fast music. A lot of 50s music is good for dancing East Coast Swing. Just as in all forms of partner dancing, its important to learn the proper footwork and timing, and how to lead and follow.

Footwork and Timing

How To Tango

Noelle359 — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 12:55:00 -0500

The Tango is a dance of passion in which the man is pursuing the woman and the woman hasn't decided whether or not she wants the man. The pursuit should be very subtle; the man and woman don't want to be too obvious about their intentions. Therefore, the Tango should be danced slowly and deliberately. It is not a loud and flashy dance, but very calculated about its intentions.

Timing

Most Tango patterns are based on counts of eight. Some are slow counts and some are quick counts. A slow count takes two beats of music while a quick count take a one beat of music. The basic count of Tango is slow (1,2), slow (3,4), quick (5), quick (6), slow (7,8). As the patterns advance and become more difficult, the timing of the patterns will vary. However, the slow-slow-quick-quick-slow timing is the count for most basic steps.

Footwork

How To Learn Ballroom Dancing and Ballroom Dance Steps

Noelle359 — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 12:49:00 -0500

Ballroom Dancing consists of several different partner dances and is divided into two categories. The first category is called the standard group and includes the foxtrot, waltz, tango, quickstep and Viennese waltz. This category is what most people think of when they hear "ballroom dancing." The second category is called the Latin group and includes the rumba, cha cha, mambo, samba, and various types of swing. Each of these dances has many different patterns with several variations to each pattern. In order to dance these patterns comfortably, several elements of Ballroom Dancing need to be learned. These elements include correct technique to develop the style of the dance, correct timing, clean footwork, and correct lead and follow created by a good dance position.

Technique and Style

How To Learn West Coast Swing Dancing

Noelle359 — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 18:13:00 -0500

The West Coast Swing, which developed on the crowded floors of dance clubs, is called a slot dance because it is danced with both partners moving up and down a single line or track. If you imagine yourself dancing on a single railroad tie, it will help you to remember to stay on your track. This slot helped the dancers to dance within a very small space without bumping into each other. The slot can rotate and change, however, it is important to remember that each partner continues to dance on a slot in relation to each other and not to the room.

In any type of partner dancing, there are basic elements that together make the dance flow. These elements are the clean footwork, the correct timing, a strong dance position, and good lead and follow.

How To Pop-Lock: Ticking & Strobing

Alvin121 — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 13:49:00 -0500

Ticking, also known as "Strobing," is a pop-locking body illusion that makes the dancers look like they are walking through a strobe light. To get an idea of what the end result looks like, imagine watching someone walk across the street while you are blinking rapidly. Your brain only can process a limited number of frames per second, making the movements very choppy, as if you were watching a poorly made cartoon.

How To Breakdance: Windmill

Alvin121 — Thu, 18 May 2006 09:34:00 -0500

The Windmill is a breakdancing power move that combines techniques from gymnastics and urban street-style dancing. Invented by Crazy Legs of New York's Rocksteady crew, the Windmill has become a staple move for hip-hop dancers, and is the basis for more difficult techniques.

Before attempting an actual windmill, you need to conceptualize what the movements look like without momentum.

How To Stretch for Ballet

Brianna221 — Sun, 14 May 2006 14:18:00 -0500

Are you dreaming of being a prima ballerina? Wonderful! But before you grand jeté off into the sunset, it's imperative that you prepare your body for movement by stretching it out. By elongating those ligaments, you'll warm up your muscles, allow yourself greater flexibility, and most importantly, avoid injury! That's worth a few minutes, right? Let's get started.

How To Breakdance: Airtrack

Alvin121 — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 18:52:00 -0500

Airtracks are arguably the hardest possible breakdancing move, but also the most impressive. With both their arms and legs spread and their torso suspended 45 degrees in mid-air, a dancer swings their hands over their body to catch themselves and go into the next move. Airtracks are also very dangerous, and should be performed with the utmost care, preferably on a gymnastics or martial arts mat. It is highly recommended that you have mastered Flares and Windmills before attempting Airtracks.

The directions below are for counterclockwise Airtracks.

How To Breakdance: Six-Step

Alvin121 — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 13:53:00 -0500

The Six-Step is the most fundamental move of a breakdancer's repertoire, and is the basic unit of movement all other moves are based on. Very easy to perform, it is important to first master this move before moving on to others. The following directions are for performing the Six-Step counterclockwise.

Sit down on the floor, with your stomach facing the ceiling, your shoulders directly behind you, and your feet twelve inches in front of your glutes. Push your weight into your hands and feet as you raise your pelvis off the ground until your shins are perpendicular to the floor. This is called crab position. Be sure to keep your body as parallel to the floor as possible.

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How To Breakdance: Headspin

Alvin121 — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 17:03:00 -0500

Headspins are a trademark move of breakdancing, and one of the easiest of the power moves to learn. Like all breakdancing moves, Headspins can be dangerous if done improperly, so be sure to wear a helmet when practicing, and stretch before and after practice.

Start on your knees, leaning forward onto the top of your head. Place your hands on the ground in front of you, sixty degrees in each direction, so your head and hands form an equilateral triangle. Kick your legs up and directly above you, so all your weight is in your head and hands. This position is called the tripod position. Practice balancing in this position until it is easy to remain still for extended periods of time, which also builds up your neck muscles.
While upside down, spread your legs ninety degrees, and while keeping them open, twist your hips clockwise as far as you can.

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How To Breakdance: Flare

Alvin121 — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 08:49:00 -0500

A Flare is a breakdancing power move borrowed from gymnastics. When performing the move, a dancer spreads their legs and whips them around their body in continuous circles, using only their hands to keep them above ground. This move is often seen in men's floor routines and on the pommel horse. The below directions are for performing counterclockwise flares.

Start with your legs spread between two and two-and-a-half times your shoulder width, with your left foot about six inches behind your right foot.
Turn your body ninety degrees to the right, "cocking" your body to prepare for a spin.
Spin your body to the left and downward, putting your left hand six inches in front of your left foot.

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How To Breakdance: Turtle

Alvin121 — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 13:20:00 -0500

Turtling is a breakdancing power move which combines strength and agility to spin from the turtle position into a circle using only your hands to hold you up. It takes time to build-up the arm strength to be able to perform this move, which makes it a heavy time-investment. Remember, breakdancing moves are difficult and occasionally dangerous. Always wear protective gear as necessary, and stretch before and after practicing.

Carelessness may result in injury. Breakdance at your own risk!

Build up your arm strength. A general workout plan focusing on triceps, forearms, and pectorals will be the most efficient.
Build up your abdomen strength. You'll be using your stomach as a point of balance, so it needs to be firm enough to support your weight. Starting a crunch/leg lift routine will help dramatically.

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How To Pop-Lock: Body Wave

Alvin121 — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 11:03:00 -0500

A body wave is a pop-locking dance move which creates the illusion of a wave traveling through the body, from your head to your toes and back. It is recommended that you know how to arm wave first, though you can still perform a body wave if you haven't. The following directions cover a top to bottom wave, then the return wave.

Stand with your arms loosely at your sides.
Raise your shoulders straight up, as if you were trying to touch them to your ears.
Roll your shoulders backwards, so they are being pulled behind you, and project your chest forward, as if trying to bump an invisible wall in front of you.
Pull your chest in, pushing your pelvis forward to make your stomach stick out. Pulling your shoulders forward to further "cave-in" your chest helps to enhance the illusion.

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How To Pop-Lock: Arm Wave

Alvin121 — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 08:14:00 -0500

An arm wave is a pop-locking dance move that looks like a wave of electricity is traveling through your body, much like a wave through a taut string. It is considered one of the fundamental moves to pop-locking, and mastery is needed before more advanced moves are considered.

The following are directions for a left-to-right arm wave.

Start with your arms out at your sides, your hands at the same height as your shoulders, with your elbows slightly bent.
Without moving any other part of your arm, tilt your left hand upwards as high as you can, so the back of your hand is directly facing you.
Simultaneously bend your wrist forward as far as you can, and slightly bend your elbow to raise the height of your wrist. Be careful only bend your elbow, but not to change its spatial position.

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How To Pop-Lock: Back Glide (Moonwalking)

Alvin121 — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 11:59:00 -0500

Since Michael Jackson introduced this dance move to the mainstream, it's become a trademark move of dancers everywhere, and a staple move in the repertoire of pop-lockers. Incorporating the moonwalk into your routine is an easy way to make a strong impression on the dance floor!

Start with your feet side-by-side, six inches apart, your toes facing directly forward.
Without changing the position of your hips, bend your right leg at the knee as you lift your right heel off the ground, stopping with your toe pushing into the ground.
Raise your left foot off the ground, almost imperceptibly, to reduce the friction as you begin to slide this foot. It is critical that your foot still looks like it is firmly touching the ground, as this enhances the illusion of gliding.

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