SOME BASIC STEPS
Listed below are some very basic but essential steps to learn as a beginning line dancer. Once you have mastered some of the basic steps, you will quickly adapt to learning some of the other steps such as scissor, sailor, cha cha, heel or toe slaps, waltz, and others. Learn to put the number count to your steps when learning them. This will help you follow the beat of the music and assist you with rhythm.
Grapevine right: Step right foot to the right. Put weight on it – Count 1. Step left foot behind right foot. Put weight on it – Count 2. Step right foot to the right – Count 3. Touch left foot to the right foot – Count 4. The fourth count is generally a touch. However, it could be a brush, stomp, kick or another variation.
Grapevine Left: Step left foot to the left. Put weight on it – Count 1. Step right foot behind left foot. Put weight on it – Count 2. Step left foot to the left – Count 3. Touch right foot beside left – Count 4.
Jazz Box Step: Most jazz box steps are a four-count and performed in pairs. You could have a right turn in the first jazz box and then a regular jazz box without a turn. You could have two jazz box steps without a turn, or a turn and a regular or two jazz box steps with turns.
Jazz Box Step without a Turn: Step forward with right foot (cross over left) – Count 1. Rock back on left foot placing weight on left foot – Count 2. Bring right foot back beside left foot – Count 3. Step left in place with weight on left – Count 4
Jazz Box Step with a ¼ Turn to Right: Step forward with right foot (cross over left) – Count 1. Rock back on left foot placing weight on left foot – Count 2. Take right foot and turn it ¼ turn to the right, with weight on right – Count 3. Rotate body around toward right and place left foot beside right with weight on the left – Count 4
Shuffle Steps: Shuffle steps are a 1 and 2 count. They can lead with the right foot or the left. Step forward with right foot and quickly bring your left foot to your right foot and quickly step or slide forward with your right foot (opposite for a left foot lead shuffle).
Military Turns or Pivot Turns: Two count step. Step forward with right foot with weight on right foot – Count 1. Do ½ turn to the left as you are placing your left foot with weight on left foot – Count 2. Procedure is opposite when doing a military turn or pivot turn leading with left foot.
Kick Ball Change Step: The step is a 1 and 2 count. Kick your right foot forward - stepping down on the ball of the right foot – Count 1. Lift left foot quickly and place back on the floor – Count 2. A kick ball change step can also lead with the left foot.
EVERYONE CAN DANCE
Can you dance? Yes!!!! If you can count to four or eight.....you can dance. As in many major dance, sports and other coordinated movements, count is important. Basically, there are several basic steps to line dancing and once you have mastered them, you can do a number of dances. Generally, the basic steps are in most line dances and written in different combinations.
Some dancing tips to remember
1. Dancing is fun, good exercise - physically and mentally. Its OK to make a mistake. When you get confused, stop, look and jump back in when you feel comfortable with the step. Generally, it takes several weeks to learn a dance. When learning, make a commitment for at least six weeks.
2. A sequence of a basic step will generally start in a four count and continue to an eight count. The first beat/count will start in a particular direction (right foot to the right or forward, back), or Left starting first to left, forward or back. The fourth beat or step will not have weight as it needs to be ready for the next move.
If you have a turn in a four step count, generally the turn will be on the count of three. However, there are occasions when the turn will be on the first count. WHENEVER you have a turn, place the foot in the direction of turn on that count.
If a dance ends in a two count such as the Electric slide, and it involves a turn.... the turn has to be on the first count...with the weight on second count so you are ready to start next sequence of four or eight.
Count could be 1, 2, 3, 4 or 1 & 2--3 & 4. Generally, a basic step will follow an eight count. Then the count and step will change to another eight count.
3. Try not to learn the dances by watching feet. Memorize the sequences. Learn the first sequence of a dance, then the second, etc.