How to dance like a cowboy
20 Beginner Line Dances You Need to Know! – Country Dancing Tonight
The Slappin' Leather Line Dance
Please enable JavaScript
The Slappin' Leather Line Dance
Since becoming introduced to the country dance scene a couple of years ago I have found much happiness in learning to dance and over time becoming a better dancer. If you are new to the country bar dance scene, I know how you feel! At first, it is equal parts intrigue and intimidation, exciting and terrifying! But don’t worry it will all work out!
You can divide all the dancing into 2 groups: partner and line dancing, and what follows here is a good round-up of the most popular and easiest beginner line dances out there.
Learn some of these and you’ll be set to get out on the dance floor every time you go out! Starting with the most common and easiest and working down… But all these are very beginner line dances.
Here’s my list of 20 beginner & popular line dances you will encounter: (click on them to pop down to each one).
1. Cupid Shuffle
2. Wobble
3. Electric Slide
4. Power Jam
5. Cowboy Hustle
6. House Party
7. Watermelon Crawl
8. Black Velvet
9. Boot Scootin’ Boogie
10. Two-Step (the line dance-not the partner dance!)
11. Good Time
12. Linda Lu
13. My Maria
14. Rock Me
15. A Little Bit Lit
16. Slapping Leather
17. Outlaw
18. Tush Push
19. Country Girl Shake
20. Ten Step (this is actually not done in lines!)
1.
Cupid Shuffle| Count: 32 | Wall: 4 | Level: Very Beginner |
Choreography: Bernard Bryson (Cupid)
Music: Cupid Shuffle by Cupid
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
Cupid Shuffle was choreographed by the singer Cupid and created simultaneously with his song The Cupid Shuffle that was recorded in 2006. When he set out to create it, it was with the exact intention of creating a line dance classic without genre, that everyone could dance to. He came up with the dance in the studio while making up the song.
That is all history! While the song isn’t a country song, this line dance has to be my lead off, since its arguably the most popular and one everyone has danced to (at bars, weddings, schools). It is particularly easy since the lyrics tell you what to do next! “To the right, to the right, to the right, to the right… To the left, to the left, to the left, to the left… Now kick…” so, no excuses, you can do this! But download the step sheet if you are worried!
https://youtu.
be/iJH6Ce588McVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: How to Do the Cupid Shuffle | Line Dancing (https://youtu.be/iJH6Ce588Mc)
2. Wobble
| Count: 32 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner |
Choreography: V.I.C. Brentnell
Music: Wobble by V.I.C.
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
The Wobble is another non-country line dance that is about as popular as the Cupid Shuffle. And another line dance created by the musical artist! Its very fun and always a crowd-pleaser. It is very common to see people doing the Wobble at weddings and parties as well as a local country bar where it is sure to get everyone out on the dance floor. The Wobble can get a little long though with the song lasting over 5 minutes.
A lot of jumping!
https://youtu.be/oeS1usUnkxkVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: How to Do the Wobble | Line Dancing (https://youtu.be/oeS1usUnkxk)
Demo & Teach Video
3. Electric Slide
| Count: 18 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner |
Choreography: Ric Silver (1976)
Music: Electric Boogie by Marcia Griffiths (with scores of alternates, including Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus and Fast As You by Dwight Yoakam)
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
While the Electric Slide was originally choreographed in 1976, it was Marcia Griffiths song Electric Boogie that gave it popularity. It was in 1989 when it really took off and for ten years was listed as the number one dance in the world! Today there are many songs used to dance the Electric Slide to.
Achy Breaky Heart is a popular go-to at a country bar, but so many others work great. It is simple enough here’s the steps:
1. Grapevine right. Take one step right with your right foot.
2. Grapevine left. Take one step left with your left foot.
3. Rock forward and back with a toe-touch. Step back with your right foot, then bring your left foot to meet it.
4. Quarter-turn left and begin again…
It’s pretty easy (once you know it!). I’ve only known the Electric Slide for a couple of years and I did need a video to get that rock, toe touch, and quarter-turn all timed right. Another great thing about line dancing, especially with an easy one like the Electric Slide is that, as you get good, you can “play” adding in turns, etc. to have fun, make it your own and show-off a little on the dance floor.
https://youtu.be/WwFFfWxAWlEVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Electric Slide (Line Dance) – Demo & Teach (https://youtu.
be/WwFFfWxAWlE)
4. Power Jam (San Diego Version)
| Count: 24 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner |
Choreographer: Lynn Bryant
Music: American Muscle by Canaan Smith (and countless others!)
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
Power Jam is a pretty common call-out and is aptly named. It’s pretty fast-paced and the slides and heal taps and then the hop at the end that most people do is all great fun. This is a good one to get under your belt and a live band is for sure going to have some songs for it.
There are a couple of slight variations I’ve noticed with Power Jam. Firstly, for the first two heel-taps to the front and toe-taps to the back, most people just do one tap and hold it for the extra beat.
Secondly, at the end of the dance instead of the little hop, you can also just stomp the left foot.
https://youtu.be/JoN8oqFSDzEVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Power Jam (Line Dance) – Demo & Teach (https://youtu.be/JoN8oqFSDzE)
Demo & Teach Video
5. Cowboy Hustle
| Count: 32 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner |
Choreographer: Unknown
Music: What the Cowgirls Do by Vince Gill
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
Cowboy Hustle is another great fun, fast and easy line dance not too unlike the Power Jam. In fact, I’ve been confused and switched these for each other at times. They both tap out the right heel forward and behind, so watch out for that! Like the Power Jam, Cowboy Hustle can go with many songs and will get called out commonly.
https://youtu.be/RbfH7vjwQ_IVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Cowboy Hustle (Line Dance) – Demo & Teach (https://youtu.be/RbfH7vjwQ_I)
Demo & Teach Video
6. House Party
| Count: 24 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner |
Choreographer: Jessica Short and Kerry Kick (2014)
Music: House Party by Sam Hunt
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
House Party is a favorite one at The Ranch in Anaheim and after all, it is co-choreographed by Kerry Kick one of the weekly instructors there. It has a very current feel, danced to Sam Hunt’s song House Party. It feels like a lot of spinning to me since besides two step-turns there are 4 turns and shuffles (to make the four walls of the house!) But its always a fun one with a full floor.
During those 4 turns and shuffles people hold up and touch their hands to look like a house, kind of reminds me of YMCA!
https://youtu.be/dNduEuIMcScVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: "House Party" Dance Lesson (https://youtu.be/dNduEuIMcSc)
Demo & Teach Video
7. Watermelon Crawl
| Count: 40 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner / Intermediate |
Choreographer: Sue Lipscomb
Music: Watermelon Crawl by Tracy Byrd
Step Sheet: Click here to download
Watermelon Crawl is a beginner/intermediate, but is also super common and popular and a lot of fun. One small tip to learning this one that helped me was to just ignore the two 1/2 turns at the end of the dance just wait for everyone to stop turning and you’ll be a little more ready to start the beginning of the dance again with everyone.
The fun part of this dance, of course, is the stepping out to the right and then sliding back. I think that part is supposed to be the “watermelon crawl.” And the song, of course, has a good message: “If you drink, don’t drive…do the watermelon crawl.” Click on the video below to see Ranch dance instructor Shelly Graham demo the dance!
https://youtu.be/qW8Yh0WKvDQVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Watermelon Crawl – Line Dance (Demo) (https://youtu.be/qW8Yh0WKvDQ)
Demo Video
8. Black Velvet
| Count: 40 | Wall: 1 | Level: Beginner |
Choreographer: Linda De Ford
Music: Black Velvet by Robin Lee
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
Black Velvet is also a very common line dance and while a beginner line dance, this one was pretty intimidating to me at first.
This line dance was my first exposure to “contra” line dances. Contra line dances are dances where every other line of dancers is facing the opposite direction, or the lines start facing each other and then move past each other.
It can be a lot of fun since typically there’s a lot of high-fives happening as you glide past your friends. But for the beginner, it looks pretty messed up.
Who do you follow? The people to your left and right are faced opposite you! So, just look to the next row at the person going in your direction and follow them! This ends up being really fun and it actually is pretty easy! Check out the video or download the step sheet to give it a try.
https://youtu.be/j_PELRa0cFwVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Black Velvet Line Dance (https://youtu.be/j_PELRa0cFw)
Demo & Teach Video
9. Boot Scootin’ Boogie
| Count: 32 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner |
Choreographer: Tom Mattox & Skippy Blair
Music: Boot Scootin’ Boogie by Brooks & Dunn
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
Boot Scootin’ Boogie is actually a line dance not often seen in So. Cal. but is one I wish was. While I’m a recent convert to the country dance scene, I’m a long-time country music fan and I had wondered, “Hey, what about Brooks & Dunn’s Boot Scootin’ Boogie?” I wondered if there was a line dance for a great classic that talks about line dancing! Well, sure enough, there is! In fact on the Copperknob website, there are 3 pages of step sheets to different versions of dances to the song!
If you love Brooks & Dunn as much as me and you want to have this one under your belt. On YouTube Bill Bader’s version is pretty common but in So. Cal. I’ve only seen people dance the Tom Mattox & Skippy Blair version. They both are 32 counts, but this one’s more of a beginner line dance.
https://youtu.be/Z9AXp61DNxQVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Boot Scootin Boogie (https://youtu.be/Z9AXp61DNxQ)
Demo & Teach Video
10.
Two-Step (line dance)| Count: 16 | Wall: 4 | Level: Very Beginner |
Choreographer: Robert Royston – Dance Y’All Crew (2013)
Music: Two-Step by Laura Bell Bundy featuring Colt Ford
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
The Two-Step line dance is not to be confused with the Two-Step partner dance! As explained in the video below from “Dancin’ with Patti” this is from the music video by Laura Bell Bundy found on YouTube. With only 16 counts this is a very beginner line dance. Reminds me a little of the Cupid Shuffle.
Fun fact: Robert Royston also more recently choreographed the line dance seen in Midland’s Mr. Lonely music video. So, another music video that people have now learned a line dance from.
https://youtu.be/xPL9kb0espsVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Two Step Teach and Demo (https://youtu.
be/xPL9kb0esps)
11. Good Time
| Count: 48 | Wall: 4 | Level: Improver |
Choreographer: Jenny Cain
Music: Good Time by Alan Jackson
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
Good Time, you’ll notice is actually not considered a beginner line dance! But it is very common and if you stick with it I think you’ll get it down pretty quick. The highlight to me is the toe-taps & rolling grapevines, first to right and then repeated (mirrored to the left).
Fun fact: In Alan Jackson’s music video of Good Time it shows him singing out on the road and trying to set the record for the longest line dance. 22 miles long it says at one point! There are different opinions about whether it’s true or not, some say it was a real honest attempt, but falls short of the actual record set in China.
Please leave a comment if you know the real facts!
https://youtu.be/SyjibcFZlQIVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Good Time line dance (https://youtu.be/SyjibcFZlQI)
Demo & Teach Video
12. Linda Lu
| Count: 48 | Wall: 4 | Level: Improver |
Choreographer: Neil Hale
Music: Linda Lu by Ricky Van Shelton
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
Linda Lu is also another super common line dance called out and at 48 counts is aptly called by Copperknob an upper-beginner/intermediate line dance. This isn’t a favorite of mine w/ the “out-outs,” “in-ins.” Maybe it’s just me!
https://youtu.be/Fh9ICn_wgkMVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Linda Lu line dance (walk-through) (https://youtu.be/Fh9ICn_wgkM)
Teach Videohttps://youtu.
be/hp0PLikxAE0Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Linda Lu line dance (demo) to Delbert McClinton's Linda Lu (https://youtu.be/hp0PLikxAE0)
13. My Maria
| Count: 32 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner / Intermediate |
Choreographer: Mike Camara & Dan Albro (1996)
Music: My Maria by Brooks & Dunn (a Cha-Cha at 136BPM)
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
My Maria is another beginner / intermediate, but at 32 counts not too hard. This is a great line dance to another great classic Brooks & Dunn song. The unique thing is that it is a Cha-Cha line dance. The Shuffles between alot of the steps are 3 steps: Cha-Cha-Cha. The pivot-hooks are a lot of fun too.
https://youtu.be/Ggb4b9m7owIVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: My Maria Line Dance Instruction (https://youtu.
be/Ggb4b9m7owI)
https://youtu.be/TwsoB_UamOcVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: My Maria (https://youtu.be/TwsoB_UamOc)
Demo & Teach Video
14. Rock Me
| Count: 32 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner / Intermediate |
Choreographer: Donna Manning & LeAnne Lesmeister (Mar 2013)
Music: Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
Rock Me is my favorite line dance! I am a big Darius Rucker fan and his song Wagon Wheel is a great song. The rocking steps choreographed to “Rock Me” throughout the dance is pretty cool. I don’t see it called every night but it should be! So good!
https://youtu.be/j_P9IosMvSkVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Rock Me Teach and Demo (https://youtu.
be/j_P9IosMvSk)
15. A Little Bit Lit
| Count: 32 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner + |
Choreographer: Rob Fowler (2017)
Music: Lit by Trace Adkins
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
A Little Bit Lit is a dance that is taught a lot on the weekends at the Ranch Saloon. A good one for beginners. And like some other line dances on this list just a really great country song to dance to. Lyrically the song Lit is amazing. A fast and fun song. Included below is the lyric video!
https://youtu.be/mOJNH_8ojHYVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: A Little Bit Lit – Line Dance (Dance & Teach in English & 中文) (https://youtu.be/mOJNH_8ojHY)
Demo & Teach Videohttps://youtu.be/mAJTe-6fVaYVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Trace Adkins – Lit (Lyric Video) (https://youtu.
be/mAJTe-6fVaY)
16. Slappin’ Leather
| Count: 40 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner |
Choreographer: Gayle Brandon (California modified version, 2016)
Music: Footloose by Kenny Loggins and Blake Shelton (alt: T.R.O.U.B.L.E. by Travis Tritt)
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
Slappin’ Leather is a very famous line dance that is considered a beginner dance. You can dance this to the Footloose song from the movies, but the movies actually didn’t have Slappin’ Leather as part of their choreography. The Footloose movie features the more advanced line dance Fake ID. Click here to go to my post that talks all about that.
Slappin’ Leather has a part in it (the Slappin’ Leather part!) that seems pretty intermediate and takes some coordination! But the dance is just too fun and famous not to include it here.
This dance is going to pretty much get called almost every night depending on the club your at. There are many variations of it throughout the world, but the step sheet and the video here are the So. Cal. version.
Fun Fact: Slappin’ Leather was used in an episode of the TV Show Pretty Little Liars.
https://youtu.be/aFyOaX5Pr4gVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Slapping Leather (Line Dance) – Demo & Teach (https://youtu.be/aFyOaX5Pr4g)
Demo & Teach Video
17. Outlaw
| Count: 32 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner |
Choreographer: Suzanne Wilson (Norco, CA Style)
Music: Whiskey Drinkin’ S.O.B. by Mikel Knight
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
Outlaw is a pretty popular dance but is one of the line dances out there that isn’t to a country song.
Country rapper Mikel Knight doesn’t really fit at all in my opinion of what country music and country dancing is about, but people love the dance!
https://youtu.be/jsUIUT7GY8sVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: The Outlaw (Line Dance) – Demo & Teach (https://youtu.be/jsUIUT7GY8s)
Demo & Teach Video
18. Tush Push
| Count: 40 | Wall: 4 | Level: Beginner / Intermediate |
Choreographer: Jim Ferrazzano (1979)
Music: Chattahoochee by Alan Jackson
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
Tush Push has been called the most popular line dance in the United States for the last 20 years! There’s a great story about how Jim Ferrazzano came up with the dance over a period of time, to check it out click here.
One thing interesting is that it’s kind of 2 dances in one. This is because it was only 1/2 written for months. When completed, the final steps were cha-cha steps setting them apart from the first part of the dance.
Note: When you download the Step Sheet you’ll notice there are 6 options included on the 2nd page!
https://youtu.be/VRbR1VRRfE8Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Tush Push (Line Dance ) Walkthrough ( All Classes Through City Of Clovis ) (https://youtu.be/VRbR1VRRfE8)
Teach Video
19. Country Girl Shake
| Count: 32 | Wall: 4 | Level: Improver |
Choreographer: Michele Adlam & Maria Hennings Hunt (2011)
Music: Country Girl (Shake it for Me) by Luke Bryan
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
Country Girl Shake is another really popular line dance. There are a few variations out there, but I think this demo and Teach video along with the step sheet will get you really close to whatever you might see.
https://youtu.be/SuXbB_Lm4zMVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Country Girl Shake (Line Dance) – Demo & Teach (https://youtu.be/SuXbB_Lm4zM)
Demo & Teach Video
20. Ten-Step
| Count: 18 | Wall: 0 | Level: Beginner | Line / Partner |
Choreographer: Unknown
Music: Devil Went Down to Georgia by the Charlie Daniels Band
Step Sheet: Click here to download.
The Ten-Step is actually not a line dance! The Ten-Step would really be considered a partner dance.
As such, you can dance it with a partner, but it is commonly danced individually and so much fun that I wanted to include it. It is also easy! Like most partner dances it is danced in a circle (counter-clockwise) on the dance floor.
One common song to hear when it is called is Devil Went Down to Georgia. The beat is fast and its a lot of fun when the band speeds up the tempo toward the end to challenge both the fiddle player and the dancers to keep up, ’til, of course, they can’t!
So, if dancing with a partner, you do so in the sweetheart position or just holding hands. But, if individually you get the fun option to spin during the shuffle steps that occur between the “10-step” part. (altogether it is an 18 count dance).
And if by chance you watch the video below taken at the Cowboy Palace in Chatsworth and struck by the particular magic and charm of this scene click here to read the recounting of my experience there. It truly is an awesome country dance bar.
https://youtu.be/RBA2apxSMo8Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Ten Step – Danse country partner (https://youtu.be/RBA2apxSMo8)
Demo Videohttps://youtu.be/0dhY6g4kACIVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Devil Went Down to Georgia (https://youtu.be/0dhY6g4kACI)
Demo of the Ten-Step at the Cowboy Palace in Chatsworth
Some Beginning Line Dancing Basics
So there it is! My list of what I think are 20 of the easiest and also popular line dances out there right now. In addition to the dances themselves here’s a little more information about line dancing if you’re new to all this and a little confused about what is happening out there on the floor–I know I was!
A couple of things to know about if you’re new! Line dances are typically 16, 32, 40 or 48 steps (based on the level of difficulty) You may have noticed these numbers are all divisible by 8! Most popular music has a 4/4 time signature, but dancers count beats in sets of 8, hence line dance choreography is grouped and taught in sets of 8 or with “8-count.
”
Next (and the other major thing), line dances are known for having one, two or four walls. A one-wall dance means everyone will face in the same direction when all steps are performed. A two-wall line dance is when at the end of each sequence of steps everyone has turned 180º and you begin again facing the back — for these dances, you will always just face the “front” and “back” walls. Then, with a four-wall line dance (the most difficult), at the end of the steps, everyone has turned 90º and “begins the dance” again facing one of the “side” walls. As the dance progresses you will keep finishing and starting again facing a new wall.
| TIP: When first learning and taking a class it is tempting to hide in the last row! But as you may have already guessed, that’s a bad idea! As soon as the dance has moved on to the back wall, if you were in the back, you are now in the front! You can’t see anyone and everyone is looking at you! So, find a good spot somewhere in the middle and you’ll be able to always watch someone who knows what they are doing! |
With 20 line dances to learn and a couple of basics, you are ready to get involved in this fun activity.
Like anything else in life, it takes some just plain jumping headlong in and learning as you go!
Jackson Hole Wyoming - Cowboy Dancing
For a town of less than 15,000, Jackson Hole abounds in opportunities to dance. We tend to emphasize "cowboy dancing" in this quintessential Western town, but there's other styles here too.
Where can I go Dancing?
The two main venues for Cowboy dancing are the Cowboy and the Stagecoach.
- The Cowboy Bar
The Cowboy plays live country music six nights a week (less in the off seasons). Don't forget the free, hour and a half Cowboy Dance lesson on Thursday nights at 7:30. During the season, music plays Monday thru Saturday, starting at 9 pm, and bands usually play a two week engagement. Covers range from $2.00 to $5.00 unless you have a valid Teton County driver's license. 25 North Cache, on the Town Square, 733-2207. - The Stagecoach Bar (a.k.a. the Coach)
Sunday night at the Coach is a religion with many locals and it's one of the oldest musical traditions in town dating back about twenty-five years.
It's the only gig in town for dancing on Sunday nights--blue laws require bars to shut at 10 pm except for four holiday weekends--and the famous and fabulous Stagecoach Band plays from 5:30 to 9:30. An amazing cross-section of people, definitely check it out. The dance floor is a challenge--it's small, crowded and linoleum. Thursday nights is Disco night starting at 9:30 and it's attracting a huge crowd. That's it, just Thursdays and Sundays. No covers. In Wilson (15 minute drive from the Town Square at the base of Teton Pass into Idaho), 733-4407. - Mangy Moose Saloon (a.k.a. the Moose)
The Moose is a nationally, well-known aprs-ski venue. They book a variety of progressive, lively, non-country, touring groups (including some well-known groups), appealing to the twenty-something crowd and tourists, usually for a two-night gig. Covers are in the $6 to $12 range with lots of freestyle/rock & roll dancing. Occasional bigger names will garnish covers pushing the $20 range, and the atmosphere may turn a bit more concert-like.
3285 West McCollister Dr., Teton Village (at the big ski area, about a 20 minute drive from the Town Square), 733-4913.
How can I dance like a Cowboy or Cowgirl?
There are no dress codes, anything is acceptable and you'll see the full range from shorts and sandals, to jeans/t-shirt/sneakers, to cowboys who looked like they just got off a horse, to cowboys who looked like they just walked off a Hollywood set, to tie and jacket (very little of that, thank heavens). The exception would be some special events where cowboy attire is encouraged, but not mandatory; and theme dances, such as Disco Night at the Stagecoach, where adventuresome folks dress the part.
For cowboy dancing, your best shot is the free Thursday night lesson at the Cowboy from 7:30-9pm; or the free Monday night lesson at the Jackson Lake Lodge (in the Park) from 8-9:30pm. If you're a woman, theoretically you only need to know how to follow--relax completely, don't anticipate any moves, go where your partner guides you.
An average night at the Cowboy will have any number of local dancers that would be happy (sometimes too happy, if you get my drift) to give you a lesson on the spot--how you catch their eye is up to you. For a guy, you can't fake formal dancing so I suggest you dance freestyle/rock and roll. If you're adventuresome and want to try a more formal style, I suggest you move towards the center of the dance floor away from traffic and just rock back-and-forth to the music, from left foot to right foot and back, staying on the beat--effectively a one-step (add Latin hips and you've got a Meringue). Trust me on this one: all the fancy dance moves in the Universe look like poop if you're off the beat, so just strive for a simple one-step, on the beat.
There is one piece of etiquette that I hope you burn into the back of your hand so you can always see it. With much of the cowboy music you "travel" by dancing in a counter-clockwise direction around the perimeter of the dance floor. That is, if you're doing a stationary dance (such as the Western Swing or freestyle/rock & roll) at one of the country bars where folks are Two Stepping in a circle, get the hell away from the edge of the dance floor or you will have couples bumping into you about every ten seconds.
And, if you're traveling with a Two Step and want to try a series of moves that will slow you down, get out of the flow of traffic by taking a couple of steps towards the center, do your thing, then rejoin the flow. If you're dancing with a more formal dance crowd, it is good etiquette to always dance when you are asked (limiting yourself to one dance would be the appropriate way to show disinterest). If you are dance savvy and chat with locals about dancing, please note that there are regional differences in technique and nomenclature.
Master class for music directors of the preschool educational institution on learning the plot-figurative dance “Let's play cowboys”
The master class was held for music directors of the city of Saransk. The dance composition is intended for children of the senior group of the kindergarten.
Rhythm and choreography are a synthetic type of activity, therefore, in the process of moving to music, a whole complex of skills and abilities is formed.
The first, introductory part of the lesson is a warm-up, during which children perform the main types of dance step: toe step, springy step, high step, jump, gallop, running funny socks and funny heels. And they also fix the couplet form, changing the nature of the movement in accordance with the parts of the music. A warm-up is a mandatory part of every workout, as it prepares the muscular apparatus for a more intense load. nine0003
Children perform the exercise "Path".
Greetings.
In order for the process of learning dance to be successful, it is very important to interest children from the first lesson, arouse their interest and desire to practice. To solve this problem, it seemed to me expedient to combine figuratively - dance movements in a single storyline. At the same time, it became possible to involve children in creativity, in the independent use of imitation movements. And here's what we got. nine0003
Guys, do you know who cowboys are?
Tell me about them.
Where do they live? What are they doing? What does a cowboy have to be like to stay strong in the saddle? Look, here's a portrait of a cowboy named Tom. Today I will tell you a story about him, but you will help me tell it. Deal? Then we start. (Children go to their places.)
Learning the dance “Let's play cowboys”.
(Movement changes for every musical phrase)
When learning the introduction to the dance, I used an improvisational method.
Early morning on the prairie. Cowboy Tom wakes up, can you show what he does when he wakes up? (children imitate movements) To finally wake up, cheer up, what needs to be done? That's right, charging. But as? ( The story is accompanied by appropriate movements).
In the future, the main methods of learning will be the demonstration and the verbal method.
But it's time to go. Tom jumped on his mustang and rode. ( Hands holding the reins, springy movement of the legs )
Having driven far into the steppe, our cowboy decided to see if a herd of wild mustangs was grazing somewhere nearby.
He did it like this. (R. 77 p. with a visor to the forehead, tilt to the right, forward, left, straighten up, hands in surprise to the sides. Left. R. with a visor to the forehead, tilt to the left, forward, right, straighten up, spread your arms in surprise to the sides.)
The following movement can be divided into its component parts, so it is advisable to use a concentric or dissected method. Seeing a horse in the distance, Tom gave chase. And what does he need to catch a horse? That's right, lasso. (1 t. - a cowboy gallops holding the reins. 2 t. - a cowboy gallops, swinging a lasso over his head.)
Having caught the horse, he was very happy and even jumped for joy. (1 t. - four steps to the right, 2 t. - high jump, pull up the heels, chop above the head. The same to the left side.)
Well, our cowboy has a hard job, sweat streaming down his face. (Alternately with right hand and left hand we wipe the sweat from the forehead.
)
This part of the dance is performed to music.
We also recommend:
master class on the musical education of preschoolers
master class of a musical director with parents
When the dance movements have been mastered by most of the children, those of them who are good at them can be involved in the show.
Tom is heading home, but suddenly there is an obstacle in his way. What should be done? That's right, pull the reins. (7 t. - the cowboy jumps, 2 t. - turning the body to the right, raise the knee of the right leg, tilt the body back - “pull the reins”. 3-4 t. - the same to the left)
Suddenly Indians appeared on the horizon, our the cowboy is not used to retreat, he is not afraid of danger and enters into a firefight. (1 t. - lunge to the right, hands folded with a pistol stretch forward to the right. 2 t. - the same to the left side)
But now all the difficulties and dangers behind and far away seemed to be my native village.
(Cowboy rides).
This part of the dance is performed to music.
Our cowboy at home. Well, it turned out to be a difficult day, I could hardly catch my breath. (1 t
with a turn to the right, they fan their face with their hands, they tap the floor with the toe of their right foot. 2 t - the same to the left).
But Tom is a young guy, he decided to take a walk around the village. But first you need to put the clothes in order, shake out all the sand from it. nine0005 (1 t.. - shake hands on the right, 2 t. - shake hands on the left. 3 t. - shake the right leg, 4 t. - shake the left leg)
And the street is already full of young people and all of them beautiful and elegant. So Tom decided to show off in front of the girls. (bars 1-2 - hands on the belt, proud posture, toe pr. n. turned to the side, hips swaying. 3-4 bars - the same to the left.)
Suddenly he saw a beautiful stranger. Oh, how his heart beat fast.
Our cowboy fell in love and decided to declare his love to her. nine0005 (bars 1-2
hands lock, elbows to the sides, palms pressed to the chest to the rhythm of the music. bar 3-4 - get on one knee, perform the same movement with your hands)
The day has come to an end , a tired cowboy, barely made it to the bed, threw off his boots and collapsed on it exhausted. (Children fall on their backs , legs up).
This part of the dance is performed to music.
This is the story of a cowboy named Tom. I told you in her words. And now let's tell it to our guests. But only you will use not words, but movements. nine0003
Children dance from beginning to end.
And at the end of the lesson, we will show you the Cha-cha-cha dance. Unlike the Cowboy Dance, which has 14 moves, the Cha-Cha Dance has only two. But in the process of learning, they caused difficulties for many children. The alternation of side steps 2, 1, 1 to the right and left, turning with moving to the side did not immediately work out.
Despite this, the children enjoyed learning to perform these movements. But now these difficulties have been overcome. Our task at this stage is to improve the quality of movements, coordinate movements with music and with our partner. nine0003
Once a cowboy Tom drove into a neighboring town, where at that time a fun holiday was taking place - a carnival. Everyone had fun, sang songs and danced. Let us join the common fun and dance together with the inhabitants of this city. But don't forget, guys, the dance is only beautiful when its movements are performed by everyone at the same time, please listen to the music and when you dance in pairs, respect your partner, try to feel for each other.
There was a lot of dancing at the fun carnival,
Rhythms are different, and we are dancing cha-cha-cha.
Cha-cha-cha.
Well, the cowboy game is over. Thank you guys for your efforts. We have prepared sweet prizes for you - the favorite delicacy of cowboys is puffed corn.
Eat, please.
Music for cowboy dance https://yadi.sk/d/kr6ueZZj3XkcGE
Author's development
Download the complete master class for musical directors of the preschool educational institution on learning the plot-figurative dance "Let's play cowboys"
Master class on musical education of preschoolers.
Author: Urazova Natalya Sergeevna
Position: music director
Place of work: MDOU "Kindergarten" 71 "
Location: city of Saransk, Republic of Mordovia
Date of change: 06/11/2018
Publication date: 06/11038/2018 development of the song and dance "Cowboys" music. K. Kostina
More than 15 years of operation of the site "My Kindergarten". The authors are professional teachers from all over the CIS. More than 2,000 unique methods for kindergarten and school. In total, the site was evaluated by about 100,000 educators. As a result, more than 1 million happy children. nine0161
admin
For learning in the preparatory group.
Cowboys
Music and lyrics by K. Kostin. Movements by T. Yagodina
Dance performed at the New Year's party
4 girls and 2 boys participate. The boys sing a song.
Purpose: Enrichment of motor experience of children with dances of the peoples of the world.
Tasks:
- to promote the development of new dance movements;
- to develop musical and figurative abilities, the ability to convey a flirtatious, mischievous character (girls) and a brave, courageous (boys).
- to develop the ability to move in a team to the beat of the music, to convey the content of the song through facial expressions, gestures and figurative movements;
- to promote tolerance towards the culture of the American people.
DANCE STROKE
Introduction. They come out from behind the Christmas tree from two sides.
The boys are in front, the girls are behind each other, putting their hands on the shoulders of the person in front.
Main step: step with the right foot (spring on it), bend the left at the knee, lifting it up. The hands of the "cowboy" - the boy "hold the reins." The boys stand up to the microphones, the girls unhook and stand on both sides of the Christmas tree moving backward step with a crouch.
| Song text | Movements to boys | Movement girls |
| 1. Knings each in our state, Johnny does not lie. We are great guys, People love us. And the girls in our City, Know us - you ask them, Bill and Johnny are our names.
| Perform gestures according to the text. nine0006 6 Top up with the right foot
-show girls -show -Finger 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9EL Move the right leg forward - crosswise - forward and attach; - side step with right-left clap - repeat 2 times
Step forward-arms to the sides, back-curtsy ("spring") Standing on toes, twist the heels to the right and right, with your hands to shut with a skirt | |
grants . : We are cowboys, we are cowboys, We are brave and there are two of us.
We love beautiful girls and horses - Everything is ok with them!
| Turn their backs to each other, fold their hands on their chest, stamp their toes Point to girls forward-cross - forward and attach; - side step with a right-left clap - repeat 2 times0006 Standing on socks, twist the heels of the right and left, wind it with your hands with a skirt
| |
| 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 They jump on the horses, the spring, the hands are held by the “reins”
|
Girls take the hands of the “boat”, and perform 4 side gallopes along the side walls, parallel foot heel-toe-heel-toe), Then the same way to the left.
| |
| 2
But to visit the Indians It would not hurt us.
You girls don't cry We'll be back in the City tomorrow
And the Indians will wait.
You girls don't cry Tomorrow we will return to the City, And the Indians will wait. | Crutal movements with hands
-“Calmage” the girls who have run out of ,0003 9000 -Masha. .
- stretch out their hands to the girls - wave down. | Turn around itself (on running with ZAHLET)- Wip out heels and wound with a skirt Turn around them to the left (on the run with zeles)- 9000 Twist the heels and windpoints with a skirt. Two girls run up to the cowboys and “cry” rub their eyes with their fists. Returning circling The second cowboy gallops a figure eight around his girls. The boys walk towards each other, the girls cling to the back and seem to not let them in, pulling them away from each other and backing away. The second time they fall to the floor, legs apart. Boys. looking around, they are surprised, pick them up. "They mount horses" and carry the girls. They get back to the microphone. |
| Chorus | The movements are repeated. At the end, everyone raises their hands and shouts "Hey!"
| |
| Lose | “Leaving”, boys holding “reins”, girls waving “Goodbye!” | |
Prepared by music director Yagodina Tatyana Yurievna
Municipal budgetary preschool educational institution
Kindergarten No.
5, Vorsma
Certificate of publication
Fresh records
Air Air and its properties
Summary of NODs in the middle group (Open lesson) was prepared and conducted by: teacher Fedorova Tatyana Anatolyevna, municipal budgetary educational institution of the MBDOU ... 9007 9,000 9,000. "Profession - veterinary doctor"
Children's project Prepared by: project manager Olga Nikolaevna Lyakhova, educator, Novospassky Kindergarten No. 6, Ulyanovsk Region. Introduction The author of the work Arseniy ...
Read
"Professions"
Abstract of a speech therapy lesson for children OHP Purpose: To arouse children's interest in the world around them, expand knowledge and ideas about professions ...
Read
Formation of partnerships with parents
communication and relationships with parents. Tasks: Update existing problems in interaction with parents; Contribute to increased confidence in …
Read
“Defender of the Fatherland Day”
Scenario of a physical culture holiday for the preparatory group Prepared by Koba Vera Gennadievna, physical education instructor of GBDOU ds No.
