If you want to dance hip hop but you don't have time for formal instruction, try learning a few simple moves. Combine these moves in different orders, and intersperse them with your usual dance moves. Hip hop dance is wonderfully versatile, and now that it has gone mainstream and the pop stars have worked these moves into pop routines, you can get away with sprinkling a little hip hop into your regular routine. Remember, these dance moves are intended to bring attention to yourself, so do them up right, and make it into a show.
Animation Popping Move
When you dance hip hop, practice starting and stopping your movements as if you were one of those old-time animated films where you can tell the animation is jerky because it was stop-motion picture quality. Pretend you are moving from frame to frame in an old cartoon as you dance around.
Crazy Legs
It's tough to master Crazy Legs in a day, but it sure is fun to try. This dance move is all about the legs, knees and feet. Move your feet in and out while rapidly twisting at both your ankles and your knees. The point is to make the impression that your upper and lower halves of your legs are always going in opposite directions.
Stop On A Dime
Dance your regular dance moves, then freeze as if you have to stop on a dime. This is most effective if you freeze, do some quick pop and lock moves, then start to dance hip hop again.
Mime Moves
Act as if you have to pull yourself through the air. Use a hand to grab hold of a section of air, and then pull yourself through to that spot. This hip hop move is best used when trying to get attention of a crowd and should be accompanied by further dance moves after you are noticed. You may wish to turn it into a mime-like dance show, especially if you can think of moves that will tell the story of the song playing or will make the crowd on the dance floor laugh. This is a grat way for beginners to dance hip hop.
 | Hip hop dance has its origins in African dance and Caribbean music. While many artists have contributed to the hip hop culture, DJ Kool Herc is typically credited with pioneering break beat sounds that are the foundation of hip hop. |
 | Beginner hip hop dance moves are not hard to master. These moves are the foundation for other, more complicated dance moves that you might want to learn later. |
 | Looking for hip hop dance tips? Are you new to the scene and worry that you don't know what to do? These suggestions can help you stand out at the club-for all the right reasons. |
Interested in the history of hip hop dance? This dance culture has gained mainstream acceptance and has permeated American culture, making "hip hop" a household word. |
Want to learn how to dance hip hop? Not sure where to start? A popular hip hop dance move, the Harlem Shake, is a good place to start. |
