Hip Hop Dance Basics for Beginners — Step by Step
Hip hop is the most popular dance style to learn at home. Here are the fundamental moves every beginner needs.
The 5 Foundation Moves
- 1. The Bounce — bend your knees slightly on the beat. This is the foundation of EVERYTHING in hip hop. If you can bounce on beat, you can dance.
- 2. The Two-Step — step side to side with a bounce. Add arm swings. This alone makes you look like you know what you're doing at any party.
- 3. The Rock — shift weight forward and back or side to side with groove. Keep your chest moving.
- 4. The Sway — shift your whole body left and right with feeling. Let your shoulders follow.
- 5. Body Isolation — move ONLY your chest, ONLY your head, ONLY your hips. One body part at a time. This is what separates beginners from intermediate dancers.
How to Find the Beat
Put on any song. Listen for the bass drum — that's usually beats 1 and 3. The snare hits on beats 2 and 4. Nod your head on 2 and 4. That's it — you're on beat.
Practice Routine (15 min/day)
Minutes 1-3: Bounce on beat to your favorite song
Minutes 4-7: Two-step with arm variations
Minutes 8-11: Body isolations — chest, head, hips
Minutes 12-15: Freestyle — combine everything you've learned