How To: Country Dance

Learning how to country dance is not a difficult task – the popularity of the dance form has spread worldwide. Whether in a dance studio, a Country Western bar, or from a DVD or website, anyone can be boot-scootin' quickly and easily.

Hands down, the best way to learn how to country dance is to actually do it. Country dance evolved out of the social dances of the American frontier, such as the Virginia Reel, [[Square Dance Instruction|Square Dancing], and Contra Dancing. These forms of dance are still done at country fairs and social events all over the world, and usually there are both instructors as well as participants eager to teach newcomers all the steps and patterns.

If you are more interested in the kind of dancing that goes on in clubs, you could try taking a class at a local dance studio. There are several advantages to learning to dance from a private instructor:

• The teacher can give you direct and personal attention, something that is often lacking in group classes.
• You can usually go with a partner, and help each other learn.
• You and your partner can learn each other's particular dance styles, and even put together new moves and combinations under the guidance of the instructor.
• The instructor will help you learn at your own pace.
• Often the instructor will know the best places to go and practice your dance, at various locations in town.

Of course, most clubs that offer Country Western dances have tutorials and lessons before the dancing begins – usually covering a new country line dance, often handing out step sheets for people to take home with them and practice. These classes are not going to be as in-depth and personal as a private instructor, but usually it is enough to get people out on the dance floor. The whole point of dancing is to have fun, and even if you miss a few steps at first, everyone will understand. Get your feet on the floor and move, that's the important part!

From the beginning of the web, printable step sheets were being shared by country dance enthusiasts. They are still out there, at sites such as Boot Scootin', and usually they fit in well with the songs that the dances are named after – for example, "Achy Breaky for Couples" is danced to the popular "Achy Breaky Heart".

With the advent of quick and easy digital video such as YouTube, learning how to country dance has become even easier. One particular YouTube video: Learn to Dance Country and Western has a long list of "related" videos down the side, such as:

• Country Swing Dancing: Candlestick, Dips, Slides
• How to Dance Triple Two Step
• Susannah Stein's Advanced Two Step
• Country Swing Dance

…and as easily as that you have almost an entire course in country dance right there on your computer.

Not everyone has access to high-speed internet, and YouTube videos are often low-quality and amateurish in production. Getting a good DVD about country dance is a great way to overcome these limitations and also retain the benefit of being able to watch it again and again, even slowing down the parts that might be extra difficult. Some sources of country western dance DVDs include specialty sites such as Dancing Videos and the Dance Store Online, but you can also easily find a wide selection through Amazon.

Country dance does require more than just knowing the right steps. Looking the part is important, too; you should try to at least get a good comfortable pair of cowboy boots. Add in some denim jeans, a Western style shirt, and maybe even a cowboy hat, and you'll be all set to hit that dance floor and tear it up!

• 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

• History of Latin Dance
• History of Social Dance
• History of African Dance
• Renaissance Dance Steps
• Country Western Dancing