How to be a bboy dancer
How To Bboy: The Complete Beginner Guide | by BreakDance Decoded
You are confused right?
You watched a few videos of those athletic guys busting out moves after moves on YouTube — and you’re all fired up now.
You really, really want to pick up this dance known as bboying. You want to learn how to bboy.
The problem?
You don’t even know where to start.
A quick search on YouTube gave you hundreds of tutorials and playlists.
But you’re a complete beginner.
Where should you begin? What should you start with? What do you need to prepare before you begin learning?
Are you even strong enough?
Questions, questions, questions.
You see…
I have received questions like these countless of times. And despite being asked so many times, there was no definitive resource I could point someone to to kickstart their bboy journey.
Until now.
I’ve put together a complete beginner’s guide (broken down into multiple sections) that will guide you EXACTLY on how to start.
It is what I call the “Ultimate List of Bboying Tutorials”. It contains every resource or tutorial that I think is good enough to teach you the basics of breaking.
After going through all these tutorials, you can pat your back, start practicing, start creating and becoming good.
Let’s begin, shall we?
Before we even begin on what to learn in bboying, you need to be part of the culture.
Do you know what is the easiest way to be part of a culture?
Learning the terms and vocabulary.
Being able to identify yourself as a bboy, and use the correct language at the right time welcomes you to the family of hip hop. After going through the resources below, you’ll be able to hi-5 any bboy and communicate with them in bboy lingo.
Bboy Sign Language: A Guide to Battle Gestures
Guide to the 25 Most Popular Powermoves And Their Names
Break Terminology 101
It’s Breakin, not Bboying/Bgirling
List of All Hip Hop Terms
Concept of Biting
PoeOne Explains Importance of Sweep
What’s next after you’ve learnt the language of the dance? You have to immerse yourself into the culture.
Not the moves, not the terminology, not the fashion.
But the knowledge that is deep inside your head.
Only by understanding the culture and attaining the knowledge of hip hop will make you a true bboy.
What is Bboying?
The Roots of Bboying
History of Breakdance
History
You’re already impatient, aren’t you?
3 chapters in and I haven’t even touched on a single move.
Yet.
That’s because the fundamentals of breaking isn’t the moves.
The fundamentals of bboying is the music. And that’s true for any dance.
Without music, there can be no dance. No physical expression. No artistry.
To learn the dance, you need to learn the music. Learn what is old, what is classic and what is new and modern.
And enjoy your time grooving and jiving to it.
157 Bboy Tracks You Must Listen To Before You Die
This Playlist of Bboy Songs Will Make You Move Your Feet
Strife Mixtapes
Stance Mixtapes
DJ Lean Rock
DJ B Ryan
DJ Nobunaga
DJ Four Eyez
DJ Fleg
DJ Jebel
We’ve finally reached the first lesson, the first movement of the dance.
The Toprock.
The Toprock is the upright portion of the dance. It’s where you step to the beat, play with your hands and just enjoy being groovy and cool.
The Rock
Cross Step
Indian Step
Salsa Step
6 Point Toprock
B.yu Video Series on Toprock Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
Toprock Tips
Ynot’s Toprock Workshop
Before you can get into your footwork, you have to do what we call a transition.
A transition is some move or movement you do to change from levels to levels (e.g from toprock to footwork).
A get down (also known as a go down or a drop) is a method of transiting from your top rocks to your footwork.
Here are a few examples of the commonly used get downs you must know to change from the top level to the footwork level.
Coffee Grinder Get Down Tutorial
Knee Drop Tutorial
Cork Screw Tutorial
Indian Step Get Down
30 Drops in 60 Seconds
Powermove Entrances
The footwork is mainly what differentiates us from other dances and sports.
Let’s be honest.
We are quite possibly the only dance in the world to have developed such sophisticated movements at this level.
The footwork is what it describes — doing moves using your legs and arms and creating patterns of movements that are unique to yourself and breaking.
Watch to see what I mean here:
How to Choose Your First Footwork Direction
Basic Footwork Mechanics
Keebz — Steps 1–6
How to Coffee Grinder
How to 2 Step
How to 3 Step
How to 6-Step
7 Conditioning Exercises To Improve Your Footwork
How to Instantly Improve Your Footwork
What is a freeze? A freeze is what it implies — you act like you are frozen.
It serves like a punctuation in your dance. Imagine the various moves and movements like the words in a sentence and the freeze a full stop.
That’s how a freeze is.
Sharp, and locked tight to (usually) signify the end of something.
How to Baby Freeze
How to Turtle Freeze
How to Chair Freeze
How to Shoulder Freeze
8 Freeze Conditioning Exercises
How to Make Your Freeze Sharp
This is the part you’re probably most excited about.
It is the most physically challenging — and rewarding part of the dance. Many of the moves here require you to practice harder than you thought you ever would, as well as get the particular technique right.
It is not surprising to see people take a few months to learn any one of these moves.
But do not be disheartened — because the rewards will be well worth it.
How to Swipe
3 Swipe Mistakes
How to Windmill
3 Windmill Mistakes
How to Flare
How to Backspin
How to Cricket
How to Halo
Remember I mentioned that transitions are ways for you to get from one level to the other? They are also ways to get from one move to another.
In fact, you can count them as moves on their own.
And here are some common transitions used by bboys (some bordering on difficult) to get from moves to moves.
How to Kip Up
How to Valdez
How to Grub
How to Backspin Kick Up
How to Coin Drop
You’ve finally reached the last chapter of the complete beginner guide to bboying.
By now, you should have a clear idea of what the fundamentals of bboying are — and where you should start.
And if you’ve been diligent, you would have already been practicing the moves listed above.
Once you get your fundamentals down pat, you are ready to develop it a step further — and create your own moves.
You do this by employing creativity.
Employing what we call concepts or mental models that you can apply to change up your dance and to switch up your moves.
And where can you get these concepts?
You can either 1) think of it yourself or 2) use concepts that have already been used by other bboys.
And here, you can choose from a variety of videos where some bboys have willingly shared their most ingenious concepts with you.
Concepts for Breaking
How to Flip a Dance Move and Not Bite
3 Original Ways to Create Moves and Movements
Roxrite’s Bboy Concepts
Korean Footwork Dictionary: Penny | Rhythm Gate | 2Touch | TinoRoc | Fleta | Knukl
Leveraging Concepts
How’s that for a guide?
Now, you no longer have any excuse to not know where to start.
Just follow through the Chapters, consume the knowledge and practice everything inside.
And you’ll be well on your way to learn how to bboy.
Peace,
Erin
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Originally published at breakdancedecoded.com on November 30, 2016.
How to Breakdance 101: Unleash Your Inner B-Boy
An impromptu b-boying lesson at home after some Bulleit bourbon. Don’t drink and dance.
Breakin’ 2 did it. It was 1984 and I was convinced I would be a professional breakdancer. Alas, I was seven years old, and I looked exactly like this reader who left a comment on my tango instructional post:
Tim,
I’m pretty impressed by your achievements in tango, but what about tips on your first love?
B-boying is a sport I’ve watched and attempted for years. Sadly, the minute I go from uprock to six-step I look like a two-year-old trying to find spilled jelly-beans.
I don’t know what to do. Can you offer any tips on learning how to storm floors?
PS: Nice freeze on the Jones Soda. I don’t know much about tango, but I do know how hard b-boying is. I’m from Seattle and I’m damn proud.
I didn’t rediscover breakdancing (aka b-boying, not to be confused with popping or locking a la Michael Jackson) until 1997 when I found a few scattered videos of breakdancing online. I download horrible written instructions, crappy 10-second video clips, and resolved to learn how to do my favorite move–windmills–before college graduation. Death or windmills.
Months of bruised hips and humiliation later, I was able to do them. It was almost all guess work and took far too long. I’ve since found better methods for building on basics in a logical progression.
In this post, I will teach you the basics of footwork. If you’ve ever dreamed of breakdancing (and who hasn’t?), this is enough to let you check it off the list…
– Six-step and six-step variations
– Basic flourishes that take 2-10 minutes to learn
– How to enter and exit footwork without looking like an idiot
First, a brief demonstration of what is possible with a mediocre build for breaking.
I am not a good breakdancer, and I’ve never claimed to be one, but I can do enough to use it for dramatic effect around untrained eyes. Assuming you have semi-healthy joints, you can learn how to do the following in 1-2 weeks, and I’ll teach you most of it in the next 10 minutes. This was on-the-spot, in dress shoes, at a conference after months of no practice, which goes to show how simple the moves really are:
Onward to How to Breakdance 101. I cut off my head, as the feet are more important:
This is enough to make an impression around non-b-boys.
Keep in mind that I now b-boy perhaps three times a year, and only for a few minutes at a time. These moves are not hard on the joints and will stay with you. Some other rules of thumb:
1) Thou shalt not break drunk or buzzed. Joints don’t like it.
2) Thou shalt not break on surfaces that might have spilled drinks. Ditto for joints and foreheads.
3) Thou shalt bring a second t-shirt if they plan on not being a sweaty bastard around others.
4) Thou shalt not break in public until reviewing video of themselves. Self-monitoring while breaking is not accurate. Mediocre breakdancing is more of a liability than no breakdancing. Take a few days to get the basics down before showcasing.
Have fun! It’s a great and unusual world to explore.
Here’s how the pros do it–take the time to watch this one:
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How to choose a creative nickname for a breakdance dancer
Here are some tips on how to make it beautiful.
Aliases in hip-hop culture have existed since its inception. Artists use them with pride, shining them like awards on armor.
Surprisingly, in most people's minds, a pseudonym is something given to an artist by a teacher or friend. So, of course, it happens, but most of the names on the stage are the work of the hands, or rather, the heads (well, imagination) of the creators themselves. The desire and ability to freely choose anything is the root of hip-hop culture. Nobody can decide who you are.
One of the main points in creating a name is the need to demonstrate their involvement in hip-hop culture. How to hint again that you are part of the movement, and that this is it - your lifestyle, profession and passion.
Here are some tips on how to choose a b-boy name that will not only stick to you, but will be remembered by the audience.
Crazy Legs, the creator of endless backspins.
© Dean Treml / Red Bull Content Pool
Highlight a special trait or your skill
Names such as RoxRite, which "rocks it right" or Crazy Legs, show how these artists dance.
When the skill level of the b-boy increases, the name is fixed at a particularly high level.
Pay tribute to a teacher or person who inspired you
Leaving the world of dance for a second, remember the artist 50 Cent, who took his name from the Brooklyn gangster of the 80s, in whom the singer saw his mental brother, “surviving any price." Returning to b-boys, let's call the name Poe One - the dancer named himself after his favorite poet, Edgar Allan Poe.
Show you belong to the team
There are groups that "brand" their members by leaving marks in their names. First things first, the example of a Parisian crew called Wanted comes to mind. All dancers of this group have a piece of son in their names. If you run into Yugson, Dedson, Mamson, Babyson or any other "sleep", be sure it's the Wanted team.
Yaman Okur, aka Yamson, of the Wanted Crew
© Gianfranco Tripodo / Red Bull Content Pool
Another example is House of Ninja, who perform under names such as Willi Ninja, Benni Ninja, Javier Ninja and etc.
Find a pun or sound similar to your real name rap, remember Eminem, who created his creative pseudonym from the initials - Marshall Mathers, and became a world star.
Tell people what you're doing
Especially in styles like locking and popping, there are some great examples where a pseudonym shows your style. Just think of Suga Pop, Popin' Pete and P-Lock, and you already know which moves are their favorite.
Of course, these are just examples of how to create a name that will make sense and stick to you right away. What we have listed are not rules, not mandatory conditions. Most importantly, trust your inner instinct and use all the inspiration you have! Good luck!
The b-boy who rocks it right: RoxRite
© Tyrone Bradley / Red Bull Content Pool
By the way, check out Roxrite's b-boy talking about the name while covering his epic RoxRite 100 campaign and check out his Instagram.
where to study, salary, pros and cons
Author: ProfGuide
Updated by
Dancer is a person of art who performs rhythmic movements to music, taking part in theatrical performances, shows.
The profession belongs to the type “a person is an artistic image”, it requires excellent self-discipline and, of course, talent. Children who distinguish literature, physical education, music and singing from all school subjects can become dancers. By the way, the ProfGid career guidance center has recently developed an accurate career guidance test that will tell you which professions suit you, give an opinion about your personality type and intelligence. 9Ol000
Brief description
This profession has a rich history and is closely associated with the arts. However, the success of dancers by more than 50% depends on dedication, endurance, self-discipline. A specialist can work independently, performing solo choreographic numbers, it is also worth highlighting pair and collective dances.
There are a lot of types and techniques of this art direction:
- ballet;
- pop and folk dance;
- historical dance and others.
See also:
Also distinguish styles such as street jazz, hip-hop, R'n'B, contemporary dance, street dance, etc. Dancers choose the style and type of performing arts based on their physical abilities, temperament, personal preferences. On stage, they create artistic images, convey emotions, making the hearts of the audience tremble.
Features of the profession
Anyone can become a professional dancer, but it is worth starting training in childhood. Choreographers recommend giving children to dance studios at the age of 3-7 years, which will allow them to develop good posture, plasticity, stretching, a sense of rhythm and other skills necessary for professional performance. Dancers most often work in 1-2 overlapping styles, they pay special attention to training and rehearsals, maintaining excellent physical shape.
A career is short, because its peak is at the age of 15-25 years, and after 30 years, most specialists change their field of activity. They can realize their talent and knowledge in other areas, working as directors, choreographers, school teachers.
Dancers independently or under the guidance of a choreographer create performances: choice of music, sequence and rhythm of movements, costumes and image, facial expressions, plasticity. Before performing the dance, they rehearse for a long time, honing their skills. Many members of this profession often travel around their native country and travel abroad, where they give concerts. The activity is associated with certain difficulties, which leaves an imprint on the lifestyle and character of the dancer.
Pros and cons of the profession
Pros
- Excellent physical development, because dancing strengthens the body and willpower.
- Opportunity to work on the best scenes.
- Talented dancers quickly achieve success.
- The profession is interesting, active and ambitious people will like it.
- Opportunity to earn income from various sources, because dancers work alone or in pairs, can take part in private productions, star in music videos.
- Useful business connections in the world of art.
- The opportunity to change the field of activity, because dancers often open schools, give private lessons, work as choreographers - the choice of directions is huge.
Cons
- High injury rate.
- Serious injuries can put an end to a professional career.
- Short career period.
- Very high competition.
See also:
Important personal qualities
Dancers have excellent plasticity, but in this profession not only technical performance is important, but also emotionality. The dancers convey the idea of the performance with the help of movements, facial expressions, so they must be distinguished by well-developed artistry.
Increased efficiency, resistance to physical stress and low pain threshold are very important, because rehearsals and performances often end with sprains, dislocations and other minor injuries. Only those people who do not suffer from laziness, negligence, and excessive self-confidence ascend to the pinnacle of success.
Dance training
Professional education can be obtained in various institutions:
- schools and academies of choreography;
- dance studios;
- colleges;
- universities.
There are no special requirements for the education of a dancer, the level of his skill is determined during choreographic tests. It is worth starting training at a young age in order to reach a professional level. Let's consider the most interesting directions:
- "The art of dance (by type)", implemented in choreographic colleges and schools. You can start training after grades 7-9, which depends on the requirements of the college;
- The Art of Ballet.
The direction of training is open in many creative colleges, studio schools, academies. Children who have completed the 4th grade of the school are invited to study.
You can also go to study at a university, choosing a specialty related to choreography, folk dance and other areas. Primary training can be obtained in public and private schools of choreographic art, during individual lessons.
Universities
-
4 years
90,000 ₽/year
12 budget places
-
4 years
158,100 ₽/year
23 budget places
-
4 years
65,000 ₽/year
8 budget places
-
4 years
200,000 ₽/year
16 budget places
Best Primary Schools
- Dance Quarter School.
- School for children "Dancevaliya".
- State 27 Dance Studio.
Best colleges and academies for dancers
- ARB im. A. Ya. Vaganova.
- MGAH.
- Moscow art school at the Moscow State Academy of Theater Arts "Gzhel".
- School-studio (school) at GAANT them. I. Moiseeva.
- KMTI im. G. P. Vishnevskaya.
Best universities
- IPCC.
- GITIS-RATI.
- MGAH.
- ARB them. A. Ya. Vaganova.
- RGU im. A. N. Kosygin.
- ISI.
- UGAI.
- SPbGUP.
- AGIIK.
- KemGIK.
See also:
Place of work
Dancers are in demand in theaters, film industry and organization of holidays and events. They can work as teachers, find vacancies in nightclubs, private groups - there are many options for employment.
Salary
There is no exact tariff rate in this segment, because everything depends on the style in which the dancer works, personal qualities, education, reputation and experience.
