Disco Dance Steps

Disco, a form of music, was a creation of the 1970s by the African-American. Slowly, it found its way into other cultures who willingly embraced it as a new music style. Naturally, a dance form complementing the music developed, and popularly came to be known as 'Disco Dance'. Highly popularized by the 1970s movie 'Saturday Night Fever' featuring John Travolta, disco dance continues to be a rage till date.

Dancing is always fun, even for those who think they have two left feet. Disco dance is one such dance form, which is considered pure fun. There are some very famous disco dance steps and moves, which several youngsters and adults alike, are willing to learn and emulate.

Basic Steps

In order to create a dance form which was uninterrupted, disco attempted to maintain a rhythm between breaks in music. Disco dance has been inspired by several Latin American dances such as the merengue, the tango and the cha-cha. As a result, the famous disco dances such as the hip hop dance, freestyle, and the hustle came into being. Other classic disco dance forms are the disco cha-cha and the disco bump.

Any form of disco dance will have the following features:

• Hip and pelvic movements, inspired by Latin American dances, are an important feature of disco dance.
• Side to side movements are a basic element of disco dance.
• Hand and shoulder movements, such as revolving the hands and arms, and tilting shoulders from side to side, are also some basic steps.
• Another basic disco dance step is the forward and backward movement, complemented by arm and shoulder movements.

Combined together, these movements can be choreographed into one groovy dance number. One may use a partner in order to improvise on the dance presentation. Disco dance involves minimum contact between partners.

The Point
A common basic disco dance step is 'the point'. The most popular among various disco dance moves, 'the point' involves the upward and downward movement of the hand, with the index finger pointing out, with alternating hip movements. It is performed in the following manner:

1. The feet should be kept apart at shoulder length.
2. To begin with, the hips should be pointed to the left and locked in this position, while the right hand, balled in a fist except for the index finger is to be raised up to the right.
3. Now, the right hand is to be pulled down across the body towards the left, while the hips are to move towards the right.
4. Continuous practice with these movements will acquaint one to the rhythm required to perform this movement.
5. This disco dance move can also be done while alternating both hands, right and left, in accordance with the alternate hip movements.

The Hustle
Another popular move in disco dance is 'the hustle' which is a series of backward and forward movements, with partners walking toward and away from each other to the beat of 1-2-3. In the following way, one can learn how to do 'the hustle'.

1. Similar to 'the point', keep your feet apart at shoulder length, while keeping the body weight on the left foot.
2. In a backward movement, make alternating steps starting with the right foot, then left, and then the right again.
3. While clapping hands, tap the left foot toward the insole of the right foot, and shift the body weight to the right foot. A similar movement is repeated starting with the same step with the left foot.
4. Instantly, step out to the side with the left foot after clapping your hands. Swing the right foot behind the left, and tap the right toe while in the same position.
5. Clap your hands with a tap of the right toe.
6. Swing back the right foot to the original position and repeat the same step with the left foot.
7. The hands are to be maintained with an elbow bend, when not clapping. In such a case, the hands should be balled into fists, except for the thumb. The arms will then swing in accordance with the foot movements.

In order to master this disco dance step, it is advisable to begin learning with just the footwork. Once the comfort level is achieved with the footwork, the hand movements can be added to complete the steps.

Other Moves

Disco dance moves may be performed solo (freestyle), or with a partner. To perform the ultimate disco dance moves, follow these steps, and enjoy dancing to your favorite disco dance number.

1. Do 'the hustle' in the above mentioned manner. It is the best and most famous disco dance move.
2. Follow it with 'the point', as did John Travolta in 'Saturday Night Fever'. Any disco dance move should leave room for hand movements. It is the only way the dance will look complete.
3. Thrust your hips from side to side, while doing the disco dance. As are hand movements, hip movements also form the signature step in disco dance. Stepping from side to side, while doing the hip movements, will add perfect spice to the dance.
4. The all-famous butt bump, is the easiest disco dance move to perform. The butt bump, performed with a partner, is a perfect dance filler.
5. Moving in the shape of a box, the box step is a well-known disco dance move. Step to the left while lifting the right foot off the ground. Join both feet and step backward. Similarly, move to the right while lifting the left foot off the ground, and join both feet together. Complete the entire movement in the shape of a box.

Disco dance has always been considered easy to do. A lot of new dance styles have been inspired by disco dance. Newer heights are achieved with value additions to the already famous disco dance moves. However, for those wanting to get back to some simple disco dance, or perform at a retro party with a disco dance theme, or just learn some basic disco dance steps for fun, one has a smashing dance ready to be performed to their favorite disco dance number, when all the aforementioned steps are put together.