There are some Hip Hop stereotypes that I must debunk right here and now. At the same time, I hope that you’ll find some tidbits of information between the lines and get a realistic feel for what the Hip Hop dance community is really like.

Let’s begin with…

Grillz

Really? (see Britney). We aren’t trying to be Paul Wall here. I promise it’s possible to have swag without trying to hold foil on your teeth. I’ve heard some pretty brutal stories about foil cutting gums, too. My advice would be to stay away from things that aren’t actually meant for your mouth.

Fat, long, huge, gold chains

Um, what? — maybe in an old school movie. But realistically, if you’re doing any sort of actual dancing, that chain is going to get in the way. Even my tiny trinket necklace that I never take off gets caught in my hair or hits my teeth when I’m dancing. That’s correct — as far as accessories, they may look cool, but personally save them for the stage because when you’re practicing, you definitely don’t want anything getting in your way!

Sagging – Wearing your sweatpants lower than your hips

Again, I’m all about functionality. How are you supposed to dance when you can’t even keep your pants on while walking?! This one is just a big fat “NO.”

Hats and beanies

These are a bit iffy for me. Of course hats and beanies look really cool and add a bit of swag to your outfit, but are they really necessary? If your hat is tight enough that it won’t go flying off with a sudden turn of your head, then go for it. Beanies I have to admit look really good as well, but I have seen many dancers alter their head movement and/or lose it as they’re dancing. I’ve tried manyyy times to figure out how to make my beanie stay on while I’m dancing and have yet to be successful. If you can comfortably wear your headgear without it hindering your dancing, I’d say why not!

SUPER baggy clothing

Though dancing Hip Hop in skin tight clothing does not sound fun to me either, you do not need to go out and buy sweats and t-shirt five sizes larger than your usual clothes. In fact, clothes that are too baggy drown your movement and you have to work that much harder to make it look like you’re hitting every beat. Go with comfortable. You don’t want to be wearing spandex, but don’t exaggerate the baggy and you’ll be just fine.

Keep it real…

Overall, try to avoid the “Hollywood” Hip Hop stereotypes and think about practicality. Hip Hop is fast and you will sweat. Wear light, loose-fitting clothes that will allow you to move and feel comfortable. Wear shoes that you have broken in and that will support you when you do quick, heavy footwork. You don’t need to break your bank on “Hip Hop clothes.” Honestly, the cheap $10 sweatpants at Target or Wal-Mart work just fine. Pair them with an old t-shirt or loose tank and you’re golden. So before you stress too much over the clothes and accessories you choose to wear for your next Hip Hop dance class, be reminded that it’s really about being comfortable and having fun.

The post Hip Hop Stereotypes: Do’s & Don’ts appeared first on DanceLova Dance Academy - Irvine, CA.

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you begin:

1) Remember to get low!

Hip Hop is a style that relies the least on formal technique. Your “home” position should include bent knees, a wide stance and a hunched posture. It shouldn’t be pretty!

2) Listen, listen, listen.

Once you have picked a song, be sure to listen to the song multiple times before attempting to choreograph. Listen on your stereo, on your iPod, in your car, etc. Different sound systems might reveal little beats and accents you hadn’t noticed before. Hip Hop is about visually seeing your music, so by accenting snares or backbeats, you can improve your routine that much more.

3) Don’t be scared to try something new!

When I choreograph, I do the craziest things and somehow am able to make them into a really cool Hip Hop move! Play your music and let your body do what it wants and see if you can refine those into something for your routine.

4) Be an individual.

Everybody has their own unique style. Don’t expect your routine to look similar to somebody you idolize. Definitely look to others for inspiration, but remember that your routine is your routine.

5) Think visually.

As a dancer, you always have to keep your audience in mind. If you have a move for your feet, don’t be afraid to add some arms as well. If you have arm choreography, pair it with a few steps or jumps to keep it visually appealing.

6) I’m stuck…

No worries! Creating a routine takes time. Give it time to settle into your body and mind and you will be surprised where inspiration can come from. But just in case, here are some basic moves you can build off of and tweak to fit your style:

The Chest Pop:

A very simple move that is great for accenting heavy bass beats. In whatever position your arms and feet are in, tense your chest upward quickly and retract, all in one beat.

The Body Roll:

Can be done upwards or downwards and my personal “go to” whenever I’m stuck. Start by sticking out your neck, then shoulders, chest, stomach and hips. When sped up this motion should move fluidly throughout your body and create a nice visual.

The Squat:

A very important aspect of Hip Hop dancing is levels. Doing every dance move standing upright can get boring visually. Think of a plié in second position without the proper form. Keep your feet in parallel as opposed to being turned out, and hunch your back so you’re not so upright. From here bend down and try a move starting from this position to mix up your levels!

Anything — seriously, anything can be made into a Hip Hop move. You have a lot of freedom with this style. Just remember to listen to your body and have fun!

The post Hip Hop Dance: The Basics, First Routine appeared first on DanceLova Dance Academy - Irvine, CA.