Q&A for How to Dance Hip Hop

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  • Question
    How can I be more confident when I dance?
    Yolanda Thomas
    Dance Instructor
    Yolanda Thomas is a Hip Hop Dance Instructor based in Los Angeles, California and Sydney, Australia. Yolanda has taught hip hop at the Sydney Dance Company and is a two-time winner of the LA Music Award for singing and songwriting. She has won Choreographer of the Year by GROOVE, an Australian hip hop dance competition and was hired by Google to choreograph their Sydney Mardi Gras float.
    Dance Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Getting feedback from other people will really help build up your confidence. You can also record yourself dancing and watch it back so you can see what you're doing well and what could use some improvement. Also, try to keep the dialogue in your head positive and confident. If you catch yourself thinking negatively about your dancing, pause and reframe that thought as something positive.
  • Question
    How can I learn to dance hip hop at home?
    Yolanda Thomas
    Dance Instructor
    Yolanda Thomas is a Hip Hop Dance Instructor based in Los Angeles, California and Sydney, Australia. Yolanda has taught hip hop at the Sydney Dance Company and is a two-time winner of the LA Music Award for singing and songwriting. She has won Choreographer of the Year by GROOVE, an Australian hip hop dance competition and was hired by Google to choreograph their Sydney Mardi Gras float.
    Dance Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Learning at home can be done with the help of YouTube tutorials. However, you'll definitely learn faster with some in-person coaching. A teacher can give you immediate feedback on your dancing.
  • Question
    How can I learn to dance hip hop fast?
    Yolanda Thomas
    Dance Instructor
    Yolanda Thomas is a Hip Hop Dance Instructor based in Los Angeles, California and Sydney, Australia. Yolanda has taught hip hop at the Sydney Dance Company and is a two-time winner of the LA Music Award for singing and songwriting. She has won Choreographer of the Year by GROOVE, an Australian hip hop dance competition and was hired by Google to choreograph their Sydney Mardi Gras float.
    Dance Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Take hip hop dance classes. You'll start to see a difference in your abilities in as few as three classes. You won't be able to learn everything quickly, but you can build a good foundation in just a few sessions.
  • Question
    How can I learn a good dance?
    Community Answer
    Check out great choreographers on YouTube (for example, Matt Steffanina, Dana Alexa, Mina Myoung). Check to see whether they have any tutorials. A tip for your own dancing is to find a song that has a good beat, and something that you will surely like, as "feeling" the rhythm and emotion is half the battle won.
  • Question
    Can you recommend some good hip hop dance teachers on YouTube?
    Community Answer
    Matt Steffanina is a really good one (he also does tutorials on each dance video).
  • Question
    How do I not look funny when I dance hip hop?
    Community Answer
    Do not tighten your body, Keep it relaxed, loose and just have fun. Have SWAG. It's okay to look funny. The trick is to not care if you look funny.
  • Question
    How can I remember dances better?
    Community Answer
    The more you practice, the easier it will be to remember a particular dance. Also, if you're taking lessons, you could ask your instructor for help with this.
  • Question
    How do I beat someone in a hip hop competition?
    Community Answer
    Stick to your routine; changing last minute will definitely jeopardize your chances of winning. Don't use up all of your energy before you compete either - practice the dance with minimal effort so you can give it your all during the competition.
  • Question
    Is the step the same for all songs?
    Community Answer
    It's your choice if you want to mix it up or keep it the same -- it all depends on what you want.
  • Question
    How do I know if I'm a good dancer?
    Community Answer
    If you can feel yourself really being part of the music, then that's good. If you dance with the rhythm, then that's also good. You can even watch and learn from other dancers. Also, you can show your friends your dance moves and ask them what they think.
  • Question
    How can I dance hip hop in a dancing contest on a dance floor?
    Community Answer
    Learn the basic steps, feel the beat and dance with confidence!
  • Question
    What's essential in hip-hop?
    Community Answer
    The most important element in hip-hop dancing is fun! Remember to have fun as you do the moves and the rest will eventually fall in place.
  • Question
    How do I dance hip hop without looking stupid?
    Community Answer
    First you have to believe that you can do it. Then I would recommend practicing a routine on a song over and over until you get it.
  • Question
    How would I start to learn hip hop dance so that I have enough skill to go to a dance studio?
    Community Answer
    You could watch videos online or for me, I just went into a beginner class. It is hard to remember all the steps and do it correctly at first, but after a while you will get the hang of it!
  • Question
    What can I do if I am a terrible dancer in general?
    Community Answer
    You don`t have to be a good dancer to dance! If you have fun, that´s all that matters. Don´t get caught up in your head when you dance, let loose and go with the feeling. What other people think is not important, just enjoy and do whatever feels right for you!
  • Question
    How do I remember all of my steps durng a dance class?
    Amruta Bhat
    Community Answer
    Try connecting each step with lyrics. If not, try to connect two steps as continuation of the previous step.
  • Question
    Can I use bone break styles in hip hop?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Any kind of street dance can be incorporated into hip hop.
  • Question
    Should I catch beats or lyrics in hip hop songs?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Coordinating the moves to the beats or lyrics will make your dance routine seem much more organized and stunning.
  • Question
    When twerking, do I have to move my butt up and down?
    Community Answer
    Yes, that is what twerking is. If you're not comfortable doing this, that's okay. You don't have to twerk.
  • Question
    Can I wear any other shoes while dancing hip hop?
    Community Answer
    Jordans, Nike Air Max and Nike Air Force work great.
  • Question
    Can other dances help me with learning hip hop?
    Community Answer
    Of course! If you know how to dance any other styles, learning hip hop its gonna be so much easier.
  • Question
    How do I get better at dancing hip hop?
    Community Answer
    To get better at hip hop, you have to practice. Look up some YouTube tutorials and/or take lessons at a local dance studio. Finally, if you want to get accustomed with basic dance styles first, then try jazz and ballet, both of which will help with hip hop moves.
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