Disco Dance Moves

Even though some would claim the music is dead, disco dance moves continue to be performed in night clubs all over the world. Whether you learn them online, from a movie, or with hands-on instruction, they are a fun way to move.

There are basically two kinds of disco dance moves – partnered and solo (also known as "freestyle". Freestyle moves vary greatly from individual to individual – they depend a lot on body type, prior dance experience, and what kind of a dance environment the disco is being performed in.

A good example of a solo disco move is the "back catch" – where the dancer stands on one leg, and kicks the other leg up and back while at the same time reaching their arms over their head as if they were trying to catch their foot behind them. It's sort of a rapid arabesque from ballet, and obviously not the easiest move to perform. Other solo moves have names like splits, jumps, spins, kicks and cross-kicks, and "illusions" (moves that give the impression of motion or action in some impossible way – such as Michael Jackson's Moonwalk).

Partnered moves are usually based on patterns that are learned either as couples (borrowing from both ballroom and swing dance movement vocabularies) and also in groups. The large pattern-based line dances are some of the most enduring disco moves – hardly a wedding goes by that the "Electric Slide" isn't performed, or Clarence Carter's "Strokin'".

There are many types of multi-person dance moves in disco, and often they are simple repetitive motions that allow the crowds to move while a solo performer shows off in the center of the crowd. These scenes were popularized in many movies, most notably Saturday Night Fever, and later lampooned in many more (Cameron Diaz did an entire dream sequence/tribute of disco moves in the movie Charlie's Angels). The basic moves are very easy to teach and perform, enabling anyone to be a part of the dance experience.

Here is an example of a dance move that is both fun to do in a group and can also build the basic vocabulary that can lead to flashier moves. It is performed in an 8-beat count, which means it will fit into almost any disco song.

1. Stand with feet in second position parallel (in ballet terms) about a foot and a half (or shoulder-width) apart.
2. Shift your weight on your right foot, and cross the left over, touching your toe to the floor with a gentle tap. Let your right arm swing naturally across the body – not too high – in opposition to your left foot.
3. Bring your left foot back to parallel, and let your right arm swing back down.
4. Shift your weight onto your left foot, and repeat the move with your right foot. Remember not to think about the arms too much – just let them move naturally.
5. Bring your right foot back to parallel, letting it take some weight.
6. Repeat step 2 with your left foot and right arm.
7. Same as step 3, left foot coming back to parallel position.
8. Return to bringing your right across, starting again with step 1

There are really three places you can learn more disco moves:

• Online Many websites offer step by step instructions similar to the "Retro Hustle" above, some including foot patterns like Disco-Disco. YouTube also has many moves shown in various videos.
• Instructors Whether you pay for lessons at a local dance studio or buy a DVD to learn from, many dance instructors include disco in their curriculum.
• On the Dance Floor Of course, the most authentic way to learn to disco is to go out to the club and dance. Dress up, learn moves, share your own, and above all, have fun as you groove the night away!

• Photos of Ballet Dancers
• Dance Studio Equipment
• Pictures of Limbo Dancing

• Dance Steps to Thriller
• Popular Line Dances
• Famous Choreographers
• Country Line Dance Steps
• Famous Ballet Dancers

• Disco Dance Outfits
• Main Page
• Category:Dance Instruction
• Disco Dance Steps
• Disco Dance History