How to Learn to Dance

While dancing is innate for many, it doesn't come easily to everyone. And taking dancing to a perfected form requires instruction, repeated practice and devotion to your dance art. You can learn to dance alone with the aid of videos, books and instructions or you can learn to dance with live instructors and classes. Whatever your choice for learning, there are things you can do to make learning to dance well a lot easier for yourself, and some of them are set out here.

Edit Steps

Part: What Kind of Dancing Do You Like?

Find a style of dance you like. There are many styles out there, so there has to be at least one that you're bound to like. Focusing on two or three styles you're really into will help a lot. You'll commit better to fewer styles rather than trying to learn to dance 15 different routines or styles, so choose what you like most.
- It may take months to find a style you are really into, so don't rush it.
- Dance styles include: Contemporary, Ballroom, Latin, Hip Hop, Break dancing, Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Belly, Pole, Swing, Salsa, Krump, Foxtrot, and Tango.
So, how do you know which one's right for you? The following steps will help you decide.

Research your dance. Look online, read books, watch dance on TV and in movies. Look for dance information anywhere relevant. Learn as much as you can about the background of the form of dance that interests you. Try to find out where it was developed, where the name of the dance comes from, its history, and any the other forms of that dancing style. You may be interested in its history so much that you will want to give it a try.

Look for simple routines for that dance on TV or online. Watch a few routines first, and see if you like the moves, beat, and rhythm. Then, as best as you can, copy the moves that you see the person/people dancing. See how you like the feel of it. Is the dance fun? Give it a couple tries before you give up and decide that style is not to your liking.
- Read dance books and magazines. Many bookstores have dance guide books and magazines for you to buy. Your local library will most likely have tons of books on dancing. Check some out to read to your style, like ballet magazines or a simple hip hop step book. Borrow a few from a friend or family member if they have some. Read the book a couple of times, then try to do the moves showed. You may also want to do it step by step.

Watch dancing performances. If you watch someone dance, you'll get a better feel for dancing, and you'll see some great moves and ideas from the pros. Watch a play or movie that has dancing, musicals are great. You may get some great inspiration, and watching performances could help you a lot. Really pay attention to the other dancers to see what they are doing. Are they focused? How is their technique? Do their emotions compliment the music? Ask yourself questions about it, then dance more for yourself, taking what you've learned from the performance. But, try seeing different styles of dance to have a wider variety of options.
- Purchase an instructional dance DVD. If you are one of those people that is a do-er and need to see in order to do the moves, try buying a how-to dance DVD. You could buy some at the store, on the phone, or online. See the level, if any (Beginner, Advanced) to get an idea of what you will learn. Then pop in the DVD and learn! It's as simple as that.

Keep in mind what you know about your own abilities and limitations. If you have good posture, can stretch your legs and point your toes, try classical ballet, not hip hop. When you research the dance, make sure you know the body placements and see which ones you think you can do well (but always bear in mind that you are learning and may need to challenge yourself).

Part 2: Dancing to Your Own Beat

Dance at your own pace. When you see professional dancers, or cool moves online, you will most likely want to be able to dance like them, but such perfection can't be achieved right away. If you try to dance at a level that is too fast for you, you won't be able to have fun learning and performing the moves and it'll likely put you off continuing. That said, if you feel that you know how to dance in a way that's more advanced than what you're already dancing, find some harder moves, or try moving to a higher dance class, if you go to one. Challenging yourself within your abilities is a good way to learn and improve.

Learn the basics first. For, say, ballet, try to learn the warm ups and basic positions, like first, second, etc. before you try to perform jumps and turns. Starting at the very beginning will help you to avoid frustration when you cannot do something; it will also help you improve your technique for more complicated moves.

Dance where you are comfortable. While some people prefer to dance at a theater or stage, others like to dance in the privacy of their living room. Nobody, especially when just learning to dance, is pressuring you to dance where you aren't comfortable. Practice dancing where you want, whether it's alone, with a partner, or with a small group. Try dancing in front of different people, with different people, and in different places to see which you like best. Some styles of dance need a partner, or require a group, but see how much you can practice on your own.
- Start out dancing alone. No one will be there to bother or intimidate you, and you can focus on dancing, not being embarrassed. Then, try finding a partner or two to practice with, then a large group. Everyone has their own learning style, so dance with whoever you feel comfortable dancing with.

Listen to music. When you listen to music, you'll often find catchy beats and rhythms, not to mention the urge to hum or sing along. That can help you dance, so listen to music as much as you can, even if it's just a little every day. Pick a song you really like and listen to it once. Then listen to it again, this time dancing along. Don't be afraid if you don't know what to do, just dance! Move your arms, legs, jump, anything, just start moving around, starting to find a dance routine.
- You may want to start out by moving just your arms, then making leg movements (or vice versa), then combining them. It's easier to focus on one part. Really listen to the beat to be on time with the moves. You don't have to "mimic" in your dancing what the lyrics say, for example, making a phone with your hands when the song says "call" or "phone", but it could be a good start.

Part 3: Learning in a Class

Join a local dance class. This is yet another way of learning, and it is best to learn from a professional. Don't be afraid to join a class if you think you can't dance, the whole point is for you to learn how. Look online for local classes, and see when they offer classes, and what styles you can take. Dance classes, however, will cost money, so keep that in mind before deciding to join. Also, there may be different levels of classes, like Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, or even numbers, like 1-5. Start with the lowest first, then work your way up as you get more and more advanced. Remember, basic is best to start at.
- Get a friend to join the class. It could be more fun to know that a friend will be joining the class. Ask them if they are into the dance class, and they may even join!

Be confident. Smile when you dance and be ready to show your talent. Don't be jealous of other's dancing abilities, just be proud of what you can do, as well as being open to learning from others. When you dance, express your creativity and dance with pride. Don't care what others think about your dancing. If you think you dance great, then you do.

Part 4: Keeping Up Your Dancing

Practice every day. You'll have to practice to get good at dance, you'll have to work at it. Know that you'll have to commit to dance if you'd like to learn, so ask yourself, Can I commit to this?. Make time in your schedule for practicing time. Try to shoot for 30 minutes to an hour. (You should get 30-60 minutes of exercise anyway, so make exercise time dance time). Crank up the music and...dance! Have fun and rock out.

Be persistent and patient. Dancing comes more easily to some than it does to others, but talent doesn't simply appear overnight. You will need to keep practicing, continue learning and going over your errors in order to remedy them. With the attitude that you're just going to keep on improving and lots of practice, you will get better. Some day, you'll probably be inspiring others to do as well as you are.