How to Dance to House Music

Learning Beginner Steps

Learn the step-touch. Stand with your feet hip width apart. Step to the left side with your left foot. Bringing your right foot to meet your left, tap your foot on the ground. As you move to the left side, leave your head in the center as if it is stuck in place while you step out to the side. This will cause you to lean your body to the side. Next, step out with your right foot past your starting position. Bring your left foot to meet your right, tapping your left foot on the ground. During this motion, your upper body should come back to the middle and then lean over to the right side, while your head stays in place. Repeat, swaying your body and stepping side to side to the beat of the music. Move your arms to the beat as you move from side to side. Your arms can be bent at your waist as you sway or you can raise them in the air. Just move them naturally with the movement of your body as you move to the tempo of the music. You can also lean your body out as you do this move, turning your hips slightly in the direction that you are stepping. This adds additional movement to this step.

Do the jack. Start off with your feet shoulder width apart. Dip your knees, bending them at a 45 degree angle. Stand back up. After you dip your knees, add a body roll as your stand back up. Dip down with your knees, and as your knees get to the 45 degree angle, roll your body by moving your hips out first. Then, push your chest out and lean your head back as you start to stand back up straight. Your head should come back to center as you straighten your body and knees. You may have to practice this move a few times before you get the rhythm just right, especially since house music tends to be fast. Try slowing it down, taking a few beats to complete the movement until you get comfortable with it.

Learn the chase. Start with your feet together. Step forward with your right leg. Bring your left leg forward and tap the tip of your toe right behind the heel of your right foot. Step back with your left foot and then your right, returning to your starting position. Repeat with the other leg, continuing to alternate legs each time you complete a rotation. This move can be done to slow and fast songs. Just increase the tempo to whatever song you are dancing to.

Learn the scissors. Start with your feet together. Glide your right leg to the side, skimming your foot along the floor without lifting it. Stretch your leg a little farther than shoulder width. Then glide your leg back in. Repeat on the opposite side. As you move your legs side to side, lean your body in the opposite direction of your leg, swaying your arms with your movements from side to side. This move can be as fast or as slow as you want, depending on the beat of the music.

Do the crisscross. Start with your feet shoulder width apart. Jump up, bringing your feet together to cross in front of you as you land. Jump again, bringing your feet back to their starting position. You should land softly on the balls of your feet. Repeat the motion, crossing the opposite foot in the front. Continue to switch which foot crosses in front as you repeat this motion. You can change the tempo of your movements depending on the music. Move your arms around as you jump. This helps you keep balanced and makes the move look smoother.

Mastering Advanced Moves

Learn the skate. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Kick your left leg across your body toward the right side, turning your body in that direction as you kick. As you bring your leg back down, bend your knees in a squat. As you stand up from the squat, kick your right leg out to the left side, turning your body as you kick. Return your right foot to where it started, landing in another squat. Repeat the full rotation to the beat of the music. Swing your arms in the same direction as you leg. When you squat, you can do whatever you want with you arms, like raise them over your head or throw them out to the sides. Make sure you don't bend down too far. You don't want to lose your balance or hurt your leg muscles.

Do the heel toe hop. Start with your hips shoulder width apart. Step out with your right foot, pointing your toe out to the right side about 45 degrees and resting your heel on the ground. On the next count, lay your toes down, twisting your foot to point your toes to the left side at a 45 degree angle. Next, bring your right knee up, keeping your leg at the same angle your foot is in. Hop in place as you drop your right foot, landing on your left foot, which is now resting on your left heel and pointing out to the left side. This position mirrors the position your right foot was it a few beats ago. Repeat all the moves on this side, including the transitional hop. Repeat the circuit, alternating as you keep up with the beat of the music. You may need to try this move slowly until you get the hang of it. Try doing it to a slow song or move on every other beat of the music if the song is too fast.

Learn the crosswalk. Start with your legs slightly less than shoulder width apart. Jump toward the left side, angling your body toward the left as you land on your right foot and pop your left foot back. Hop to switch feet, landing with your left foot down and right foot raised in front of you, still angled toward the left side. Hop again, switching back to your right foot with your left foot raised in front of you. Repeat the move, jumping toward the right side, angling your body in that direction as you land on your left foot with your right foot popped behind you. Repeat the remaining steps on this side. Transition between sides each time your make it through the circuit of steps. This move is complicated, so it may take some practice. Try is slowly at first, increasing tempo as you get better at it.

Do the farmer. Start with your legs shoulder width apart. Jump in place, raising your right leg as you jump. Next, put your right leg back down. To complete the rotation, jump in place again, lifting your left leg. Then, sit down your left leg. Repeat, changing legs each time. This can be adapted to any tempo music. You can do it at a slower pace, adding in a small dip in your leg as you jump. You can also do it faster, making your hops smaller as you switch legs to the beat of the music. Swing your arms slightly with the movements of your body. This will look cool with your move and will help keep you balanced.

Learn the roger rabbit. Start with your feet together. Hop on your left foot, moving a small step forward as you hop. At the same time, lift your right leg up toward the middle, swinging it out toward the right side in one fluid motion. Next, hop as you move your right foot behind where your left foot was, landing with your right foot at an angle toward the right side. At the same time, lift your left leg, pointing it slightly toward the right side. Next, repeat the original moves now that you are on the opposite side. Hop your right foot forward as you swing your left leg toward the left side. Hop to switch legs again. Repeat the move, transitioning between legs each time. Given the difficulty of this move, try it at a slow pace at first until you get the hang of it. Once you get it, you can increase the tempo. Move your arms at your side, keeping them bent for balance as you hop between your feet.