How to shuffle dance for beginners
What Is The Shuffle Dance? Learn How To Do It In 5 Minutes!
In the recent years, we’ve seen a lot of EDM fans show off this weird, and somewhat new, dance move in a lot of music videos, throughout the web and on Youtube in their own personal videos. It seems like you are missing out on a lot of fun when you’re not sure what it’s all about and how to do it.
At first sight, it seems like the person is running while smiling and having a good time. To dance music fans, shuffling is more than just having a good time. As with most things EDM-related, it is a form of self expression, an accomplishment, and as some put it “a way to improve their mental and physical health”.
The Shuffle dance was developed in the 1980s, it is improvised dancing where the person repeatedly “shuffles” the feet inwards, then outwards, while thrusting their arms up and down, or side to side, in time with the beat.
Let’s go into more details and learn more about the dance and find out how you can start dancing it in 5 minutes!
Where did it start?
The Shuffling dance started in Melbourne, Australia, in the underground rave scene back in the early 1980s. Back then, it was known as the Melbourne Shuffle. With the growth of the electronic dance music scene around the world, Shuffling dance popularity grew and is now practiced by people from around the world at all the major EDM festivals. In 2012, the Melbourne Shuffle became a popular dance in the UK and became known as simply “The Shuffle”.
The Best Music For Shuffling
Melbourne’s underground scene in the early 90s was under the huge influence of Techno music. This high-BPM electronic music sub-genre placed the perfect beat for shuffle dancers. But shuffling became so popular that it crossed over into electro house and hardstyle genres. Today, shuffling spans into almost the full spectrum of electronic dance music. We’ve seen shuffling in videos from EDM, Trance, House, Techno, Electro and most of it’s sub-genres.
The best music for Shuffling is usually the more upbeat versions of electronic music. Although any EDM genre will work for the dance. Which makes Shuffling a very versatile dancing style: you can choose whatever music you want to dance on.
There’s no limit to how much you can personalize this dance.
Check out this Spotify playlist for music to Shuffle dance on.
Shuffling For Beginners
As a beginner, you have to learn to master just two basic moves before moving on to the more advanced stuff.
The first image below shows the T-step movement. The second is the same T-step combined with a variation of the running man dance. You can take a closer look at the dance by watching it being performed by Janet Jackson in the video of her hit “Rhythm Nation”.
A great tip you can keep in mind as beginners is that you can sprinkle talcum powder or add liquid to the floor to help you slide more smoothly and easily.
After mastering the basic shuffle moves you can now throw in some jumps, spins and slides. You’ll make the dance your own, having a complete shuffle routine that’s personalized and unique to you alone. After that, all you need is some awesome EDM banging music blasting through your speakers and let the fun begin!
Time To Learn How To Shuffle
Learning how to shuffle might seem like a difficult task, but it really isn’t!
When you take it slow, understand the steps and practice, you’ll be ready to hit the dance floor in no time!
As we previously mentioned, you’ll be starting out by learning the basic “running man” move.
With time, you’ll be able to switch things up and add your unique twists to the overall dance. Hell, you might end up having a unique dance for every song, you’ll become the unstoppable Shuffle Master! Sounds awesome no?
In the below tutorial video, you will learn the basics of Running Man. You’ll start by breaking down the steps easily and after that we put the steps to the counts and then to the music.
When getting started, keep these tips in mind:
1. Start slow – learn and practice the basics over a period of time
2. Dance in front of a mirror to better see what you’re doing
3. Copy the experts: watch Youtube videos to see how others are doing it
4. Wear good shoes and socks (or your feet will hurt like hell!)
5. Start slow, use slower BPM tracks such as deep house at first to get the hang of it first
6. Find people who already have mastered the dance and become friends, they’ll give you tips and tricks from their own experience
And most importantly, DON’T GIVE UP! Like everything in life, this will take it’s time to master and will need practice time, even though it looks easy in the videos.
Here Are Some Advanced Moves
The Kick Side Step:
The Charleston Shuffle:
Club Dance Footwork Moves:
Are There Any Benefits To Shuffling?
Shuffling, as you might have already discovered by now, is a lot of work. Your legs are moving, your hands are moving and your whole body is balancing itself throughout. You will be sweating in out when you shuffle, that’s almost a guarantee. But consider it a workout. Throughout the years, fitness experts and clubs have promoted dancing to music as a sort of exercise regime.
And it is! Nowadays, shuffling falls into that category.
During a shuffling dance, your full body is moving and shaking. Burning around 500-1,500 calories an hour. Your leg muscles, calves, and glutes (and behind area) are getting toned with every passing minute, in addition to the toning of your abdominal muscles, with every twist and turn. Your legs get a serious focus, in addition to the muscles being stretched and toned, the joints and ligaments in your legs are getting some much needed attention. They’re getting extra strength with every active move.
But shuffling not only improves physical health. It can do wonders to your mental health as well. Similar to other physical workouts, shuffling releases endorphins into your nervous system. These are the anti-stress hormones, and the longer you shuffle, the longer they’ll stay in your system and the more stress and anxiety goes out of your way.Shuffling also improves mental focus, you’re in your zone trying to keep the rhythm going and focused on your moves, being in this mindful state is very beneficial to you.
Once you’re in your rhythm and going about your dance, the success of every move will boost your confidence levels and keep you away from the everyday stresses of our lives. You’ll have a great sense of accomplishment after a successful streak. One dance will create a momentum in you to keep on going and try the more complex moves and get out of your comfort zone.
Speaking of “zones” being focused on your body movements will also bring you closer to the music. This deeper appreciation for the melodies and the detailed undertones of the track adds a special bond between you and your favorite artists.
There’s a whole community of Shuffle dancers out there. With the above knowledge and some time to practice, you’ll join them on the dance floor and you’ll be showing those awesome moves at the next EDM festival in no time!
Want more? Learn how to grind dance in minutes, go to our article right here.
Read More on EDM Festival Insider:
4 Websites To Learn Shuffle Dance Lessons Online (Free And Paid)
by CMUSE
Learn Shuffle Dance Lessons Online
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Shuffle dance is a nice dance technique for public places, parties, and lots more. Otherwise known as Melbourne shuffle, this dance began in Victoria State, which is found in Melbourne.
Since its inception in the 1980s, it has grown to become one of the most spectacular organized dances that you can enjoy.
Its popularity increased in the 2000s as several individuals uploaded their videos of the dance on YouTube and other video-sharing platforms. Notably, electronic instruments usually play a great part in shuffle dance.
Some of the most common electronic musical instruments for the dance include Theremin, Trautonium, Telhamonium, Martinet, and lots more.
Popular methods of shuffle dance
The three common methods of shuffle dance are highlighted below:
1. T-step
2. Running man
3. Pull it all together
Each of these dance techniques involves different moves that you can learn via shuffle dance lessons.
If you are looking for shuffle dance lessons online, you need to pay attention to the types of methods that will be used.
This is because the methods determine whether you will be able to make the standard moves of Melbourne shuffle or not.
Also, you should pay attention to the cost, duration, and other essential elements of the lesson before registering for it.
4 Websites To Learn Shuffle Dance Lessons Online Review
1) Udemy
When it comes to the platform through which you can learn a wide range of subjects, Udemy needs no introduction. At the moment, the number of lessons that are related to shuffle dance on this website is more than 1000.
This means that you have access to several shuffle dance lessons on Udemy. The lessons are designed for different levels of learners. The majority of them are for beginners while some are for intermediate and expert shuffle dance learners.
It is worthwhile to note that the remaining shuffle dance lessons on Udemy are for all levels of learners. Therefore, irrespective of your level, you can easily find an Udemy lesson that is suitable for you.
Learners should understand that these courses come at different prices. While you may have to spend over $50 on joining some classes, others cost less than $20.
The lessons focus on a wide range of shuffle dance methods, so you need to consider the methods you want to learn before joining any class. Endeavor to check out the rating of each lesson before joining it.
A few of the best shuffle dance lessons on Udemy are Shuffle Dance Master Class Vol. 1, 2, and 3 by Brain Bee and Cutting Shapes||Shuffle Dance Beginner to Advanced Course by Ali Chokairy.
Others include 32 Footwork Dance Moves for Parties and Showing Off by Brian Bee and How to Dance: Shuffle/Running Man by Ceech Hsu.
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2) Skillshare
Skillshare is another platform that is entirely dedicated to helping people learn different things. Currently, this website has only 3 shuffle dance lessons; however, the lessons have comprehensive scopes that guarantee that the learners will get most of the things they need to know about shuffle dance.
One of the courses is How to Shuffle Dance, which is taught by Brian B. This lesson covers several new and top-quality shuffle dance moves that will make you the star of any event.
Apart from learning the various moves, this lesson also shows you how you can combine the moves to form a single routine. Notably, it is for intermediate learners.
How To Shuffle Dance & Learn Party Rock Anthem Shuffle Choreography 2020 is another shuffle dance lesson on this platform. Hosted by Cameron Cole, this 17-minute lesson is created to show you the fundamental moves of this awesome dance type.
It is one of the best shuffle dance lessons for individuals with little or no experience in this dance. This step-by-step guide simplifies how to learn dance Melbourne shuffle and adds fun to it.
The third lesson is A Beginners Guide to Hip Hop Dance Moves|Old School. Featuring over two hours of different moves, the lesson equips the students with the knowledge of circle grooves, forward grooves, bounce grooves, back grooves, and several other important parts of shuffle dance.
Also, you will learn about full-body moves, upper body moves, and lower-body moves.
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3) Dance.Lovetoknow
Do you want to learn shuffle dance on a site that is completely designed for beginners? This is the ideal platform for you. On this website, you will be shown the basic steps of shuffle dance.
Since you are new to the dance style, this lesson will give you the rudiments and assist you to learn the major moves. One of the top shuffling techniques you will learn is the running man.
This technique serves as the foundation of this dance style. Once you have mastered it, you can start practicing more advanced shuffle dance moves.The lesson also covers kick side step, which is another unparalleled shuffle dance technique.
Derived from rock style, this technique involves certain moves that are made in a slight lateral manner. You need the understanding of the running man to perfect kick side step.
You should note that this technique is just as simple as the running man technique.
As the lesson progresses, you will learn a technique known as the t-step. Like kick side step, the t-step involves lateral motion.
To master this step, you need to rely on your balance and coordination. This complex move needs to enter your muscle memory slowly over time. The last move that the instructors will show you on this site is the Charleston.
This technique combines various hip hop, swing, and several other dance moves. It includes a wonderful twist that requires some practices to make.
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4) Mattsteffanina
This site brings the basics of shuffle dance closer to you than ever before. This lesson is anchored by Chris Koehl, who is an experienced and well-known dancer with a performance at various world dancing competitions.
The instructor will take you a short journey that involves practicing the essential footwork that you need to become a good shuffle dancer.
As you continue learning, Chris will add a bit of rock to it to make sure that your moves are exceptional.
Apart from the shuffle dance moves that you are going to learn from the seasoned instructor, you will also get an idea of how you combine the footwork with grooves and waves that will make you stand out.
Furthermore, you will learn what it takes to bring several moves together to create an awe-inspiring freestyle that other dancers will want to learn from you.
Upon your successful completion of this lesson, you would have known how to add hip hop, tectonic, jumpstyle, and many other dance moves to your shuffle dance.
To start learning how to make astonishing Melbourne shuffle moves, subscribe to this website, and join other interested learners. You will get a series of materials that will aid the learning process.
Overall, this platform has made learning shuffle dance easy for everyone. You can learn via a live class or watch a recorded video. Also, the subscription is relatively affordable.
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Choosing The Best Shuffle Dance Lesson Online
Whether you want to learn shuffle dance as professional performances or just for the fun of it, it is worthwhile to know there are lots of benefits you gain from the dance.
Foremost, it relieves any problems you may have with hand-eye coordination. Besides, this dance can go a long way in assisting you to make your brain more active.
Also, shuffle dance stimulates the production of endorphins, which is a hormone required for lowering body pain. It can also be instrumental in preventing mood swings.Check out the various websites mentioned above and choose the one that offers the type of shuffle dance lessons you want.
Categories Lessons ListHow to learn to dance shuffle - Lifehacker
December 15, 2019LikbezSports and Fitness
Master the basic movements, and then improvise and get high.
Iya Zorina
Author of Lifehacker, athlete, CCM
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0 This dance style includes a lot of freedom and improvisation. That is why he is so good. You can master the basic movements in a couple of hours, and then complicate them to infinity and combine them with each other, create your own combinations and spy on others.
Dance in sneakers, socks or barefoot, in any outfit, anywhere.
Master the basic movements of the shuffle
In this style, you do all the basic movements with your feet, the hands most often move freely - according to the heart.
Running man
This is the most basic and essential shuffle movement. You can do it in three different ways.
Full foot
The movement begins by bending the knee and lifting one leg. Next, you need to simultaneously put both legs - supporting and raised - at a distance of one step from each other.
The raised leg is placed forward on a full foot, the standing one behind slips back on the ball of the foot and remains on it - the heel is not placed on the floor. The weight is evenly distributed between the two legs.
After that, it remains to return to the starting position. To do this, the front leg slides back, and at the same time, the back leg is pulled up. You find yourself in the starting position and repeat the cycle.
The movement itself is soft and springy: do not stick into the floor, keep your legs relaxed.
Heel
This is a lighter and faster running man look that may be needed for some combinations. Here you put your foot not on the whole foot, but on the heel. At the same time, the one standing behind remains on the toe.
On pads
In this variation, the foot is placed forward on the pad. At the same time, the one standing behind also remains on the ball of the foot, and the body leans slightly back.
T‑step
In this movement, one foot constantly makes a “herringbone” - turns the heel in and out - and the second touches the floor and immediately rises back.
When the heel of the skating leg turns inward, the toe of the other leg touches the floor; when outward, the other leg rises, turning the knee inward.
It turns out two positions: closed - when the legs are wrapped with the knees inward, and one leg is raised, and open - when the legs are turned out with the knees outward, and the toe touches the floor.
Practice doing the T-step in both directions: slowly at first, then with acceleration.
Rocking
You jump on one foot, and the other touches the floor in different places: on the side of the supporting leg, across, behind - anywhere you want. You can put your foot on the toe or on the heel - the latter is called a kick. The supporting leg can simply rise low or perform a T-step - move the heel out and in.
Charleston
To begin, you turn your knees and toes inward and lift one leg. Then turn your toes and knees outward, and put your raised leg forward crosswise. Repeat the same with the other leg.
All movement occurs on the balls of the feet, the heels do not fall to the floor. You can move both forward and backward.
Diamond
First you put your feet crosswise with your toes outward with a jump, then you also spread your legs apart with a jump.
Slides
One leg is straight, stands on the whole foot, the other is with a bent knee on the pad.
Leaning on the pad, you slip the foot of a straight leg back, as if wiping the sole on the floor.
Immediately after the slip, you turn around. In the turn, the straight leg bends and goes to the pad, and the one that was on the pad, on the contrary, turns on the heel. After that, it remains only to change legs and move in the same way in the other direction.
Scissors
From the starting position - standing with a raised leg, as in Running man - you turn your hips to the side with a jump and put your legs crosswise.
The front foot is on the heel, the back foot is on the ball. Then you jump back to the starting position and do the same on the other side.
Sidekick
From the starting position, you turn your hips to the side with a jump and spread your legs a step apart from each other. The standing foot in front is placed on the heel, the standing one behind remains on the pillow. Then, with a jump, you collect your legs and do the same on the other side.
Try other variations of the basic shuffle movements
You can perform the basic movements in different directions: forward and backward, turning around. This will give you more freedom to improvise.
Variations Running man
Do several times in place and then turn around. You can also try walking this way to the side. Each time the leg will need to be placed slightly crossed in order to slowly move to the side.
Variations T‑step
You can lower your foot on the toe, on the whole foot, touch the floor to the side of the supporting leg or forward and behind it.
You can also keep the other leg off the floor at all - leave it on the toe and turn the knee in and out.
Variations Diamond
Here one more element is added to the movement – the heel strike. In the starting position, you wrap the toes of the feet and knees inward, and then jump on the heels, turning the socks to the sides.
From this position, without jumping, you turn your toes and knees inward, cross your legs with a jump, turning your feet with your toes outward, and then return to the starting position.
Charleston Variations
After three turns of the Charleston, turn both toes in one direction and then in the other. At the end, you can turn the knee to the side.
Connect familiar shuffle moves
While you lack the skills to move freely and come up with something of your own, learn a few combinations. They contain interesting movements that will replenish your dance vocabulary.
Combination 1
This is a simple combination of two basic movements - Running man and T-step. First take five Running man steps, then four T-steps to the side and repeat the same in the opposite direction.
Combination 2
Another combination of two basic movements. Here you do three Running mans, then one T‑step with a back foot touch, and two front heel touch kicks. The same on the other side.
Combination 3
There are no standard steps here, but there are already familiar Sidekick and transition from heels to toes.
Learn more difficult combinations
We will add some videos with good combinations.
1. Cool video for beginners: movements are repeated in slow motion to make it easier to dance to the music.
2. And here the combination is analyzed step by step in slow motion, dividing it into three parts. Very comfortably. Look for more on this channel, there are several such analyzes.
3. There is no slowdown here, just a great combination. But you already know almost all the movements, so you can figure it out. If something is not clear, watch the video at a speed of 0.25.
Pick up the music and improvise
Surely you have favorite songs to shuffle to.
Include them and start with basic movements: just do the Running man and periodically add different elements when you want. Move in different directions, relax and have fun.
If you don't have favorite tracks, try our selection.
I must say that the shuffle is an amazing cardio workout. In just a couple of tracks, you will be out of breath and sweat, like after a run, but you will feel absolutely happy!
What's more, if you have to force yourself to keep going while running, shuffle requires you to have the willpower to stop and not dance. As a bonus - a short video from a beginner after a couple of hours of practice.
Shuffle is cool!
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How to learn to shuffle at home
Details on how to learn to shuffle
Contents
- 1 Video:
- 2 Running Man
- 3 Tips
Video:
We will describe the movements using the example of three main approaches.
This is a dance style that takes its roots from the Melbourne Shuffle. This club fun dance appeared in the eighties. It happened at a music festival in Australia, in Melbourne.
First of all, in order to understand how to learn how to dance the shuffle, you should know that its essence lies in the rapid movement from heel to toe. It is most convenient to perform this dance to electronic music.
Modern shuffle is largely due to the LMFAO video for the song Party Rock Anthem. To study this direction, it is necessary to master the movements "running man" and "step". Links between the specified elements are also important.
Let's move on to the first solution to the question of how to learn to dance shuffle at home. So, we stand straight, spread our legs, the distance between them should be 0.3 meters.
This is the starting position of the "Step". Raise the right leg up. Move the left one inward.
Raise it by 15 cm. As a result of the movement, the leg should move away from the body. To do this, raise the knee up, and then inward.
Move the left foot so that the toes point to the middle. Raise it up at the same time.
Next, move the right leg down.
The running man
Let's move on to the next method of solving the question of how to learn to shuffle. We put the right foot in front. Leave the left one on the ground.
Lightly touch the ground with the toes of the right foot. Then we pick it up. We stretch.
Raise the leg up 15 cm. Slide back. This must be done on the left leg.
The right one must be raised. The next step is to put it on the surface. Now we move with the left foot.
Put her on her toes. This makes it easier to pick it up during the next step. We repeat the described steps with the other leg.
There is another way to learn how to shuffle. We make the transition between the "step" and "running man".
It's easy. In one of the parties we make the movement "step", in the other - "running man". We take five steps to the left.
Lowering the leg for the last time. We turn forward 90 degrees. We use the leg as a leader for the "running man".
We do this movement in place. It can also be done in a circle. However, this requires additional skills.
Then put both feet on the ground. We lift one of them up. Let's start taking a step.
You can use this trick to move both forward and backward. Next, we proceed to the movement of the "running man".
We start it on the spot or in a circle. Turn left 90 degrees. We start moving.
Move from left to right. At the same time, we repeat the elements of the “step” movement. As a result, both legs should be in the "running man" position.
Raise one of the legs. We use it for the movement "step". We are moving in her direction.
We alternate movements. Let's take a few steps. We turn around.
Let's start with the "running man". We do this move twice. Let's switch to step.
We repeat it several times. We return to the first movement. You can highlight one of the elements.
Let's start the "step". We do the "running man" several times.
