Poppin'

[Draconis]

Hi I'm new to this board and I have a boat load of questions because of my natural curiosity. I'm definitely a dance newbie so please help me out. Well I have a question about popping, and that is: How do you do it? I've heard that you have to "flex" your muscles, but I have no idea HOW. I want to learn to pop like Michael Jackson does during his dangerous routine, during the talking part where he pops a bit with his upper body and especially his neck and head. So how do you "flex" your muscles to create the popping effect? Thanks!

[Backstreet]

Popping comes from several different areas:

Arms

Chest

Neck

Knees

Each of these involves flexing the muscle to the beat of the music. Ever seen body builders then they hit a pose? They are flexing their muscles.

Flexing is basically tightening the muscles. To make popping look good, you have to be able to isolate each spot and flex the muscle. Most beginning poppers will flex for just one count (To give the "hit" effect). However, as you progress you do things like ticking which is usually following the "ticking" beat in music. It is a very fast pop.

[Draconis]

Thanks Backstreet. I can't seem to get the "jerky" effect that most poppers have. Like MJ's popping moves he jerks a bit after every movement and then, well, let's just say his popping moves are WAY more poppish then mine. I can't seem to get the jerky "hit" feeling and I don't know how to flex my muscles to GET that feeling or effect.

[Backstreet]

It takes lots of practice. Popping is a style like anything else. It requires training to perfect it.