How do you two step dance
Learning the Basic Country Two-Step Dance – Country Dancing Tonight
I started country dancing about 3 years ago and was able to learn how to do the basic Two-Step country dance after a few private lessons. Looking back I realized it wasn’t as hard as I thought and since then have shown many people the basics to get them going and remove some of the mystery about it.
If you are going out for the evening to a country bar to do some dancing, there will most likely be lots of line dancing interspersed with couples partner dancing. Far and away the most popular partner dancing in the United States is the two-step. Drawing from what I’ve learned, this post will give you the basics to prepare you to be ready when you venture out to your local country bar or dance club.
Basic Positions for the Two-Step
In country two-step there is a leader and follower.
Leader: facing your partner, place your right hand under your follower’s left arm and on their shoulder blade.
Follower: facing your partner, place your left hand on your leader’s shoulder seam.
Both: Join your free hands on the other side and hold up and out at about shoulder height.
Notes:
1. After creating this closed position, the leader should position their feet to the left slightly so your toes aren’t pointing directly at each other, but offset slightly. This way you’re less likely to bang your feet together while dancing.
2. It’s important for the follower to lean back slightly into their leader’s right hand and also to put a little pressure with both their left hand (on the leader’s shoulder seam) and with their right clasped hand.
The idea is to keep a fixed amount of space between each other and with this pressure, the lead can push and pull their partner easily. This is known as a good “dance-frame.”
Understanding the Basic Steps for the Two-Step
Two-step dancing consists of two “quick” steps and then two “slow” steps.
Knowing when to do these steps is about finding the bass beat of the music being danced to. To get comfortable finding this beat listen to your favorite country songs with this intent. You’ll notice a main beat that you naturally can tap your hand or foot to. In music there is also the “&” beat in-between each basic beat. 1-&-2-&-3-&-4. The Quicksteps are quick because the second one happens on one of these “&” beats. Then you pause or stop for the next “&” and step on the 2nd main beat. This stepping on the “&” beat sometimes and skipping to step on the main beat creates the quick-quick, slow-slow that country two-step is known for.
For me, as a lead this was the hardest and most intimidating part to getting into country Two-Step. I would ask a lady to dance we would go out onto the floor, assume the correct dance frame and then with other dancers already going I would freeze! I couldn’t hear the beat! I couldn’t start! Honestly, there was no immediate fix to this.
It just took some time getting used to hearing and feeling that beat almost subconsciously and naturally so that now I can begin right away.
Tip: I did learn to listen for that beat even before asking someone to dance! This way I was almost already dancing before we started!
Beginning the Two-Step Dance
So, as the lead, there is no absolute beat to start on (like there is with line dancing). You just pick a beat and begin. As the leader, you do signal your partner that you are beginning by leaning in and pushing.
The lead begins with their left foot and consequently, the follower steps backward with their right foot.
Then the 2nd (quick) step is taken by your right foot and the follower steps back with their left.
Then you pause for the “&” and step on the main beat, with your left again, followed by a 2nd “slow” step on your right after skipping another “&” beat.
The diagram above illustrates this.
Line of Dance for Two-Step and Partner Dancing
When you go to any country bar to see partner dancing or any ballroom for that matter you will notice that the direction of traffic on the dance floor is always moving counter-clockwise.
This is a big part of dance floor etiquette and is very important!
Notes:
Along with the counter-clockwise line of dance, generally it is understood that the outer lanes are going to be used by the more experienced dancers and (unlike a freeway) is the “fast-lane.” The inside lanes of the dance floor are meant for the slower or beginner dancers. And the more toward the middle of the floor the more it is free of traffic. Occasionally there is a really great couple that wants to do some fancy tricks right in the middle open area—so just keep your head up and watch out! It is also pretty common for country bars to allow for line dancing to a given song to happen in the middle while the Two-Step dancers go around them.The Two-Step is known as a “Progressive” or “Traveling” dance and is always danced in a counter-clockwise direction around any dance floor. This graphic illustrates this as well as where to dance as a beginner dancer (inside lane) or more advanced dancer (outside lane).
Two-Step Dancing Leader & Follower Roles
Leader: As a leader, it is your job on the dance floor to watch and steer your partner safely around the dance floor. After getting a good grasp on the basic two-step, a good next level is to turn your partner and lead backward. However, this doesn’t switch the responsibly to the follower to watch out. The leader now must look over their shoulder and see the traffic and continue to steer the two of you safely around the dance floor.
But of course, if the follower sees a collision about to happen they can try to give a heads up! But its really not their job. The leader is to be aware of the space and try to see all the dancers around.
Follower: As the follower, it is important to help maintain that pressure between you and your leader. This is how you will know what they’re doing. If you are getting your feet stepped on by your lead you may be collapsing in and not keeping that pressure.
Different Styles of Two-Step Dancing
While the timing for the Two-Step is agreed on universally, there are some differing thoughts about style. This observation of style has to do with timing and is really a discussion for the leader. The main one I’ve heard is how big your steps should be and if your speed is constant or variant. It stands to reason that maybe for a “quick” step you can’t step as far, but for a “slow” step you can take a bigger longer step. But some would say, no, just take longer to make the step! So, all steps are the same distance. I’ve also heard when you do the quick step it should be as if someone “pushes you from behind” hence you’re speeding up at that moment, to then slow down at the “slow-slow.” I don’t think it matters much! The main thing is that as the leader, whatever style feels right for you, you are a good lead and your follow can feel it and pick it up.
Two-Step Dance Routines
The Basic dance frame “closed” position, the steps, timing, how to start and understanding the leader and follower roles is all you need to get out on the dance floor and begin! At this point, you are ready to go out dancing and move around the dance floor – in a counter-clockwise direction!
This all provides the foundation for Two-Step and can be built upon throughout years of dancing enjoyment.
The following are a few added dance moves and routines to add to your growing repertoire.
180º Turn – This is a simple turn of the both of you initiated by the lead. The turn is accomplished by the lead using the first slow to move his partner to the right out of the “track” and then completing the full turn of both partners on the second slow. Then the next quick-quick is the lead walking backward, pulling the follower who is now walking forward.
Outside Turn – Possibly more common than turning around might be just turning or spinning the follower. This is accomplished by a small “prep” or signal to the follower with the left hand and turning them around by pulling their hand away from you so they turn clockwise. They will follow their right shoulder. As they come around the leader will reposition their right hand back under the shoulder blade.
Sweetheart Position – This not necessarily a dance move, but another way to progress around the dance floor beside the “closed position.
” When in “closed position” the leader just pulls the follower in for a 1/2 inside turn switching hands. Both partners look forward, both holding right hands in front and left hands held above the follower’s shoulder. The Sweetheart Position gives the follower a nice break from always traveling backward.
Extra: Once you have this down, try moving to it while the leader is traveling backwards! This forces the lead to be the one turning to walk forward.
Two-Step Dancing Tutorials
This post obviously isn’t intended to turn you into a world-class Two-Stepper overnight! There are many other intermediate and after that advanced routines or patterns to learn! The ones explained above will be a great start and allow you to blend in pretty well with a typical night of Two-Stepping at your local country bar. Below are some great video tutorials showing some of the basics covered above. These videos also add additional tips and will take you farther.
Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/xoscqzFdwB0Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: How to Do the 2-Step | Line Dancing (https://youtu.be/xoscqzFdwB0)
To begin with, this brief tutorial from Robert Royston, a 5-time country dance world champion goes over the basics!https://youtu.be/2NPdOQyqCkcVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: HOW TO DANCE TWO STEP – Country Two Step Dancing For Dummies (https://youtu.be/2NPdOQyqCkc)
In this tutorial Anthony and Rose of Country Dance X seek to settle the debate of how to dance the Two-Step once and for all and take a look cause they are legit dance pros!https://youtu.be/4-2MHaNny8gVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Beginner Country Two Step Dance Tutorial | Basic Two Step Patterns (https://youtu.be/4-2MHaNny8g)
Lastly, here is a more lengthy and equally reliable tutorial from another equally qualified couple going through several patterns for the Two-Step.How To Do The Two Step
Video Transcript:
Alright guys, the next move we’re about to jump into is another basic hip hop move. It’s called the Two Step. Alright and once you get this move down, you’ll be able to use it with any style of music that comes on in any situation. So take a look at t first and then we’ll break it down step by step for you. Six, five, six, seven, eight. And five, six, five, six, seven, eight. Alright so let’s break it down step by step. Now the name is just how is sounds, it’s Two Steps.
So you’re going to start with your feet together and then you’re going to step out one with this foot. And then you’re going to step back in two with the other foot. Alright and different than a Step Touch, you’re not going to touch, you’re going to actually step it together. Stepping back out again, step, together, step, together, step, together and step, together. Alright. Now we’ve got the step down, we’re going to add the bounce into this.
So what I want you guys to do is start from a bent knee and every time you step you’re going to rock up, down, up, down, up, down, up and bounce it, up, up, and up, good. Now all I’m doing here is I’m just bending my torso forward, bending my knees slightly and bringing it up straight. Coming from down low to bouncing up. Alright so let’s try that bounce and we step side to side. Starting with your feet together, nice and slow, five, six, seven, eight and one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, again, and one, two, three, four, five, six, one more time, eight and one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight, good. Now what you do with your hands.
There’s a couple of different things you can do with your hands with this move. Anything that feels comfortable for you guys to do is fine. I’m going to give you a couple different things to try it out. Number one, we’re going to have our hands opening and closing. Open and close. Now when you close them, you’re hands are going to cross but it doesn’t matter which hand you put on top.
It’s up to you. Open, close, open, close, open, close, open and close. So let’s give that a try with the same two steps using that bounce up as we step. Five, six, seven, eight, we go open, close, open, close, open, close, open and close, keep it up. Open, close, open, close, just like that, one more time through, and open, close, open, close, open, close, open, close. Nice job guys.
So a couple of things to remember before we try it with music. Just remember your body position, you’re going to be bent over slightly and then you’re going to be rocking up with your body. So not down, you want to start from the low position and rock up. And remember that basic step, just stepping from the side together, side, together. Alright so let’s give it a shot with music, just have some fun with it, groove it out to the song, you hear the beat it goes one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, so you’ll step together, step together, step together. Just like that. Let’s give it a shot. Five, six, seven, eight and step.
Good, keeping that bounce going with your body, nice guys, keep it up. Good, you got this basic in and out in a motion, keep that step going, try something different with your hands now, burry it up, hey, nice, you see what your mouth is doing, you can try that as well, Kyle and KC is doing the same thing, just give it a shot, make it your own, that’s the biggest thing. You can have your own personal style for you. Good, a couple more times, keep it going, and five, six, five, six, seven, eight.
Back to hip hop dance moves
Lyrics and Lyrics Ciara
Ladies and gentlemen (ladies and gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen, ooh-wee) Phizzle) Productshizzle
This is Jazzle Phizzle (Jazzle Phizzle) production!
Missy (Missy)
Missy (Missy),
The princess is here (ooh-wee)
The princess is here (oh yes!)
(She's here) Ciara! This beat is...
(She's here!) Ciara! This rhythm…
Automatic, supersonic, hypnotic, funky fresh
…automatic, supersonic, hypnotic, damn fresh!
Work my body, so melodic
So melodic, he does something incredible with my body!
This beat flows right through my chest
Everybody, Ma and Papi came to party
So many beautiful girls and charming guys came here today!
Grab somebody, work your body, work your body
Grab somebody on the dance floor and move your body, move your body!
Let me see you 1, 2 step
Show me how you dance: one step, two step!
Rock it, don't stop it
Rock it, don't stop!
Everybody get on the floor
Everybody get on the floor!
Wake the party up
Save the party!
We about to get it on
Oh, yes, we are already making progress!
Let me see ya
Show me how you dance:
1, 2 step
One step, two step!
I love it when ya
I love it when you do:
1, 2 step
One step, two steps!
Everybody
All together:
1, 2 step
One step, two steps!
We about to get it on
We are already making progress!
(This beat is)
(This beat)
Outrageous, so contagious, make you crave it
Fierce, so contagious, you keep asking for more!
(Jazze made it)
(Jazze made it).
So retarded, top-charted
Somewhat belatedly he soared to the top of the charts
Ever since the day I started
track!
Goodies make the boys jump on it
If a song is really great, then they just jump on it.
No, I can't control myself
No, I can't control myself.
Now let me do my 1, 2 step (come on)
Now let me do: one step, two step! (let's go!)
Rock it, don't stop it
Everybody get on the floor
Everybody get on the floor!
Wake the party up
Save the party!
We about to get it on
Oh, yes, we are already making progress!
Let me see ya
Show me how you dance:
1, 2 step
One step, two step!
I love it when ya
I love it when you do:
1, 2 step
One step, two steps!
Everybody
All together:
1, 2 step
One step, two steps!
We about to get it on
We are already making progress!
(We gon' drop the beat like this, ooh-wee)0003
It don't matter to me
It don't matter to me
We can dance slow (ladies and gentlemen) this will tell us the rhythm.
Our bodies will go (I like this)
So swing it over here, Mr. DJ (hey, hey)
Come on, play your records, Mr. DJ (hey, hey!)
And we will, we will rock you up (oh yeah)
And we, we will raise everything here on our ears!
It don't matter to me
We can dance slow (dance slow ya, ya, ya)
Which ever way the beat drops
If the rhythm tells us.
Our bodies will go (hey, hey)
So swing it over here, Mr. DJ (ladies and gentlemen)
And we will, we will rock you up (let's shake)
And we, we will rock you up (let's shake)
(let's shake them!)
[Missy]
[Missy]
I shake it like jello, make the boys say hello
m rockin' the beat
Because they know this rockin' beat is mine.
I know you heard about a lot of great MC's
But they ain't got nothin' on me
Because I'm 5 ft 2, I wanna dance with you
Because I'm about 160 cm tall.
I want to dance with you.
And I'm sophisticated fun, I eat filet mignon
And I'm nice and young, best believe I'm number one
I'm pretty and young and generally the best!
(oh)
(Oh!)
Rock it, don't stop it
Everybody get on the floor
Everybody get on the floor!
Wake the party up (oh)
Save the party!
We about to get it on
Oh, yes, we are already making progress!
Let me see ya
Show me how you dance:
1, 2 step
One step, two step!
I love it when ya
I love it when you do:
1, 2 step
One step, two step!
Everybody
All together:
1, 2 step
One step, two steps!
We about to get it on
We are already making progress!
Rock it, don't stop it
Rock it, don't stop!
Everybody get on the floor
Everybody get on the floor!
Wake the party up
Save the party!
We about to get it on
Oh, we're already making progress!
Let me see ya
Show me how you dance:
1, 2 step
One step, two step!
I love it when ya
I love it when you do:
1, 2 step
One step, two steps!
Everybody
All together:
1, 2 step
One step, two steps!
We about to get it on
We are already making progress!
[Missy]
[Missy]
This is for the hearing impaired (hearing impaired) Oh, yes, oh, yes!)
Statuses about dancing
I don't dance to the music, the music plays to me.
..
It's not the place that makes the dancer beautiful, but the dance.
Dance for yourself. If someone understands, fine, if not, it doesn't matter, keep doing what you love!
3.8/5 - (36 votes)
You must believe in yourself, especially when no one believes in you
Every workout is a step forward. Every missed workout is two steps back
There is nothing better than living your life striving to become better.
You must be able! You will not gain power in magic with questions or book knowledge. Create without knowing what you are doing.
If you can talk, you can sing; if you can walk, you can dance.
It is better to dance clumsily than to limp.
They don't stop dancing because they get old, they get old because they stop dancing.
Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion
If you don't dance, your legs are wasted!
Only mediocrities dance with their feet.
Geniuses dance with their hearts.
Dancing is the art of withdrawing your foot before your partner steps on it.
Dance is the world's favorite metaphor.
When we give ourselves entirely to the spirit of dance, it becomes prayer.
There is a bit of madness in dancing which is of great benefit to everyone.
I don’t dance to music, music plays to me…
Two squares with handles….I dance with clouds…
I sit dancing 😀
There are short roads to happiness, and dance is one of them.
Dance is the vertical expression of horizontal desire
It's better to dance in a disco than in a bathroom queue 🙂
What the f**k of friendship…when seeing you makes me breakdance inside me!…
Dancing is like making love but not being ashamed , and enjoy the peeping.
One who cannot feel the music considers the dancers abnormal.
Tell me what your favorite dance is and I'll tell you who you are!
If you know the names of all the movements that you dance, then you are either a beginner or an international class dancer.
If you want to learn how to dance, learn to look into each other's eyes.
Dancing is creating an image for yourself, where you are a part of something bigger, where you splash out your emotions, feelings and passion.
Who does not dance, he has complexes.
It is not the place that makes the dancer beautiful, but the dance.
Dancing is joy and pleasure. If not, it's exercise.
Beautiful handwriting is not given from birth - it needs to be learned; and ease of movement is the hallmark of one who knows how to dance.
It is very easy to learn how to perform Indian dances: with one hand you screw in the bulb, with the other you pet the dog :))
A real dancer does not back down… He trains, endures, waits and achieves!!!
If you have chosen the path of dance, know that your life will not be easy, but it will not be boring either.
When I dance, all problems, worries, disappointments fade into the background.
There is no other way to push your negative thoughts away.
Each dance is a unique story of feeling.
Hip Hop is the breath of the streets.
Dance so that the audience loves, the coach thanked, the rivals were afraid, and the parents were proud!
Dance is a hot mixture of emotions and music.
Fall in love with dance and it will love you back!
Dancing is not a drug, but oxygen!
Dance is power! The body will remember if the head has forgotten.
The best school is the dance hall. There is no place for glamor and pathos, there is only a desire to train hard.
Anything is real in dance. And if we really love to dance, then we develop not only the body, but also all the shells of our being.
I don't try to dance better than others. I try to dance better than myself.
I dance because I am happy. I dance because I am free.
Dance for yourself.
If someone understands, fine, if not, it doesn't matter, keep doing what you love!
Dance like no one is watching!
There are two types of people: some dance, others dream about it.
Dance is a huge energy that nourishes every cell of the body and gives strength to move on. It is a feeling of freedom and flight.
A dancer is a person who thinks about three things: purpose, dancing, family
Only labor can create ease, beauty and inspiration of dance.
When I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only rejoice and be whole. That is why I dance.
Dance not with your body, but with your soul. So your dance will take on a life of its own, it will be life itself.
We must consider lost every day in which we did not dance at least once.
I am never alone. With me my pride, dancing and new sneakers.
To be a dancer is to be one always and everywhere.
