Help me learn hip hop dance.

[scribbles1015]

So I'll admit it. I am a bad dancer. However, I'd like to turn into a good dancer. Basically, I'd like to be able to go to a dance club in the city and be able to get on the dance floor at any given time and look good while I'm doing it.

So how do I start? Are there any instructional videos or set moves that I should learn?

Edit: I think I should have been more specific. I bunch of times, at dance parties or clubs, there are a bunch of chicks together who are dancing by themselves. What I'd like to be able to do is walk up to that group and start dancing with them so that some of them would start dancing with me or grind with me. What I need help on is the moves that I'm basically dancing with myself and the girls are just around me and watching.

[bjp22tango]

Welcome Scribbles1015

Start here.

http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=2761

[scribbles1015]

I think I should have been more specific. I bunch of times, at dance parties or clubs, there are a bunch of chicks together who are dancing by themselves. What I'd like to be able to do is walk up to that group and start dancing with them so that some of them would start dancing with me or grind with me. What I need help on is the moves that I'm basically dancing with myself and the girls are just around me and watching.

[Backstreet]

In other words you want to learn how to freestyle? (Not grinding) -- In order to freestyle you have to have knowledge of different areas of hiphop. (Roboting, Dimestopping, Gliding, Waving, Liquid, Popping and Locking, Boogaloo, etc) If this is what you mean, no post is going to help you unless you help yourself. You will have to find a dance studio or a convention and start learning.

Here's my suggestion to you:

1) Identify where I want to be. Do I want to be just mediocre so it looks like I am moving with the beat and nothing fancy? Do I want to draw attention on me and have a crowd (and girls like you said) in amazement?

2) Depending on your answer to 1 means you will have to start taking classes. If you start taking classes, identify what kind of style you are most interested in and follow it.

What I need help on is the moves that I'm basically dancing with myself and the girls are just around me and watching.

Ultimately, if attention is what you want you are going to need experience and style. Basic moves are not going to draw you attention because you'll look like everyone else.

[Twilight_Elena]

If your target is impressing others, I don't think you'll ever become a good dancer, in my humble opinion. I respect the fact that you wish you impress others, but I feel that dancing is not going to satisfy that feeling. It's something completely irrelavant to dancing that is pushing you there. If you want to become th centre of attention and get girls drooling over you, then perhaps dancing is not the thing for you. Again in my opinion, dancing needs more than just a desire to do fancy moves. It needs love and dedication.
But assuming I've misunderstood your motives, I'll have to agree with Backstreet. Style comes with practice. Practice, practice, practice. And then practice some more. There is NO 101 Groovy 10-lesson Course out there, no fast and easy way of looking as good as those guys that girls run after. It takes time. It takes persistence. And if you put a lot of effort in it, you might one day become good. The good thing about that is that you'll have that for the rest of your life. ;)
So my advice is to start digging around. Look for hip hop, modern jazz, breakdance, etc. classes in you area. Find what does it for you. Finally, visit our sister site, http://www.danceforums.net/, where dancers who don't do partner dance meet and discuss.
Good luck.

Twilight Elena

[dancersdreamland]

First, look for classes in your area and start with that. The best way to learn to dance is by taking classes.

Second, ask people whose dancing you admire to show you a few moves. Learn them and build upon it.

Third, check out some instructional videos. http://www.dancersdreamland.com/movie_main.htm Check out the links under Workout Videos.