Tips to help you get started

1.) Realize that every person on the dance floor, started as a beginner, even the instructor,

2. Cooperknob – get the app and practice, make sure that you are practicing the correct dance. Every song has multiple dances that can go with them. Most every dance has variations as they are choreographed by different people. It sounds overwhelming but it’s really not. Like a hermit crab, you’ll grow into your next shell and enjoy doing so,

3. Come to this website, it will have links to videos of the dances that our club uses, practice at home as well,

4. When you are driving … listen to the songs of the dances that you’re trying to learn. It will help drive home the beat,

5. Realize that nearly all line dances, actually I assume: all of them, are comprised of repeating steps. For example, a floor favorite is Cotton Eyed Joe. An “Absolute Beginner” version of Cotton Eyed Joe consist of a 32 Count. That 32 count is broken down into 4 easy steps. So basically you count to 8, four times. Repeat those 4 steps throughout the song. Even more advanced versions of the dance is broken down into basic – FUN TO DO – steps.

6. Learn different formats. Examples include: Line, Circle, Partner, Square,… Same basic steps.

7. Read the lyrics to songs that you are learning. Some popular songs use the chorus multiple times. And those that mis-step often do it during the lyrics that are less known. This is especially true if you encounter a start-over during the less known lyric. What’s a startover – don’t worry about that right now, that’s for later.
Example: Roughly 85% of Cotton Eyed Joe by RedNex is the Chorus. The chorus is used 13 times and it’s not used only twice!

Tip 8. Lyrics to remember:

Note the Chorus Lines and the Non-chorus lines.
Example: the chorus is X 4.

“If it hadn’t been for Cotton-Eye Joe
I’d been married long time ago
Where did you come from, where did you go?
Where did you come from, Cotton-Eye Joe?”

Then you have:

“He came to town like a midwinter storm
He rode through the fields, so handsome and strong
His eyes was his tools and his smile was his gun
But all he had come for was having some fun.”

Then the chorus is X 2.
Then you have:

“He brought disaster wherever he went
The hearts of the girls was to Hell, broken, sent
They all ran away so nobody would know
And left only men ’cause of Cotton-Eye Joe.”

Then the chorus is X 8 and the song comes to a close.

listen to the song once to get the rhythm, read the lyrics with the rhythm in your head.

Tip 9. Dance, remember the 4 parts,

1.)   2 X 45’s, TOUCH R HEEL FWD, R TOE BACK, POINT R TO SIDE, FLICK R BEHIND, & SLAP R HEEL

2.) VINE RIGHT, TOUCH, 2 X 45’s

3.) TOUCH L HEEL FWD, L TOE BACK, POINT L TO SIDE, FLICK L BEHIND, & SLAP L HEEL, VINE LEFT ¼ TURN, TOUCH

4.) RIGHT RUMBA BOX BACK WITH TOUCHES

As you do each part, count the movements 1, 2, 3, -8
What is a Vine Right? It’s one of the handful of steps required for this specific dance. It’s also used in many other dances.  The entire dance is 32 movements and a single “Vine Right” is four of them.

Simple, Simple, Simple, Simple, Simple, Simple, Simple, Simple
You can do it! Count your movements 1-8. Just keep it simple. You’ll make mistakes, we all will.  Just remember each movement is simple, and you can do it.

Refer to Learn the Steps

Are you looking for something to do?

Consider dropping by on a Thursday evening to come dance with us. While you're at it, why don't you bring a friend with you. Come on over to Night Moves and ...Come dance with us!