[Kenji86]

Hey guys, Ok this isn't really a life changing event, more of me just being unable to make a decision on my own. I recently attended my first hip hop dance class the other day having never learnt dance before. Neither have I ever really been a pro-active dancer in the sense of casual get togethers with friends to bust some grooves, clubbing etc. I tend to get into beats and feel like dancing in my own spare time , but have never pro-actively taken it out in public.

The first dance session was good exercise but one thing I notice is how hard it was to pick up moves during the session. IT was a quick one hour session, stretches/warm ups , followed by basic head banging to get into the beat like exercises. Then we launched straight into a routine/choreo (which some of the older students had started learning in the previous dance semester..). Anyway she (the dance teacher) showed us say the 8 steps you need, but then after that it gets faster and faster as we do the 8 steps to the music. Now i found this really hard given i'd never danced before and all of a sudden i was given 8 steps which we just outright banged out on the spot, and really, by the end of the night i could only really memorise the first 4, and even when I did I had no time to check myself out in the mirror to see if I was doing it right (in the sense that besides the right steps/general movements, that my movements actually looked smooth/nice/correct). I mean my brain just couldn't cope with following the steps let alone making sure my technique/movement was right. At times I just felt stupid sticking the wrong foot here or there, doing the wrong thing as i tried to follow her, whilst everyone else seemed to have a grasp of it.

So that leads me to my first question (hopefully for you dancers out there to answer). Is this the way that most dance classes teach/learn? Am i just not cut out for dancing? I mean I'm not sure whether to sign up for the term (9 more weeks) given how we just launch into things? Like is this how any of you dancers started off? Do things start to get easier/pick up? Or is this style of teaching something I should avoid?

The other factors weighing in my mind on starting off in dance like hip hop is my age and height. I mean i'm over 20 (given the fact that im posting in this forum) I'm working full time as an accountant. Deep down I wouldn't mind learning to know I can bust out some moves, but somehow I'm discouraged by the fact that I'm moving into a career, and clubbing days/opportunities to use dance seem limited? It's no longer uni days where I can expect to hang out with friends and use my new found skills. What do you guys think? I guess it's more of a confidence factor, i mean an accountant/professional/full time worker dancing hip hop at night?

Second my height... I'm over 6" for an asian.. maybe about 6"1? about 180-183 cm I APPROXIMATE.. never measured for sure. I'm not that built, just your normal slim frame. At times i feel like I'm into the dancing /beat but standing in front of the mirror I look like a mess. Am i just not smooth/cut out to be a dancer or does being tall make you look more rigid? I mean some pplz have said to me, and I guess its true, but all hip hop dancers tend to be average or short size... somehow now I feel discouraged given my height... would I just look stupid/weird learning hip hop? I mean I guess when I Think about it i do look more rigid/beanpole'ish and I'm not sure if that just makes me not cut out for this style of dancing.

Just wanted to hear you guys thoughts, especially those who dance (it would be a plus if you dance hip hop too) or better still have found themselves learning dance at my age/height in life? It'd be good to hear about your own learning curve. I've never been to another dance class so I'm not familiar if this is how good beginner classes should be (launching into the routine straight away to learn). Somehow I just feel like i need them to individually study/correct your mistakes, having learnt badminton and other things which have more of a one on one disciplined focus at times to correct technique)Next class comes up around Thursday so I have to commit for the whole term then if I wish. So if anyone has any advice to help me make a decision, that'd be great!

[dahmanegi800]

It was your first class. Don't expect to be a rock star straight out of the gate. Just keep with it and, like everything else, you'll eventually find your comfort zone. There's no age limit to learning hip-hop dance... I actually commend you for doing something you wanted to try. Let us know how you progress.

[hipzilla]

That's been my experience whenever hopping into a new sport/activity. My ex got me to sign up for salsa classes (I'm 6' ~240lbs) and I was a hot mess for the first couple of sessions. I was having fun though, and with a little practice everything came together.

If you enjoy dancing why not stick with the class? It's a fun hobby, not something you'll be making a living from.

[nailbunny]

Picking up the moves as the teacher goes through them is something you'll pick up in time. When I first started hip hop classes, I was constantly forgetting what came next. You sort of just...work into it? When your teacher is first showing you the steps, try to do them with her, even if its on a small scale and you have to glue your eyes to her instead of the mirror. If the teacher makes you guys do it one at a time, do it with the other people (obviously not majorly, you don't want to mess them up) even if it isn't your turn. You can worry about how the steps look once you've got them down. Whatever you can remember, go over in your head, actually do them if you can, a few times after class. I had weekly classes, and the amount of stuff you forget (especially right after a class) is incredible.

The first hip hop class I took (like...2+ years ago?) was a bit slower, in that the teacher liked to show us the steps and make sure we got them before putting them in a routine. The teacher I have now likes to just throw us into routines and have us work it out from there. We do 10-15 minutes of warm up, some practice steps across the floor, and she goes right into the routine. She also switches routines every 3 weeks, so every fourth week we start a new one. Each routine is generally around 30 seconds long.

I think in the case for hip hop, it is less about the technique and more about what extra flairs your personally put in it, and then what kind of steps you can put together. It is also less like club dancing IMO (at least my classes are, maybe yours are different?), but more like the backup dancing you might see on stage for music. The moves are generally pretty simple unless you're throwing in some street-style or break dancing, it just takes practice to make them look good. It isn't like, for example, a ballet class, where you do have to spend a significant amount of time working on the techniques because your leg has to be extended just so and this position has to be held this long. If you showed any two hip hop steps to someone on the street, my bet is that they could do it...it probably wouldn't look good, but they generally aren't hard. That said, it makes sense to me that your teacher is spending the majority of class on the routine.

To address your other factors, I'm over 20, working, and taking dance I do it for the exercise and the fun...the studio I go to also has end of the year shows, dunno if yours does? I don't think your height should really be an issue...yeah, I agree that it seems a lot of the hip hop/street dancers are shorter, but a while back, a super tall guy came in to observe a class. I think he was a ballet dancer, he was just so...lanky and long. But even though it was his first class, he was pulling windmills and freezes better than anyone else xD So discouraging. It really just depends on how your work your height.

If you like it, you should definitely stick with it. I think it's great exercise and it's so much fun.

[mofo]

take ballroom instead. its more age appropriate.

[sugarcube]

There's no age limit on any genre of dance.. and since when did being in your 20s make you too old for anything? The only limits there are the ones you place on yourself, stay positive & just stick with it. It was only your first class, it'll get easier each time.

[LoveJiyong]

No...age doesnt matter...
it just depends on how good a person is at on picking up on things.
some are faster than others...some may take a few days,weeks, or even months.
but you know what...Practice makes Perfect.
i mean i never thought i'd get through my first jazz hip hop dance session.
but hey! i did it!! & went through all the performances like a breeze...<33 kaY.

[Searesrayne]

Age doesn't matter, and even if you do look awkward at first who isn't when they first take up dancing. Height shouldn't matter, in time you'll get use to seeing yourself in the mirror .

Accountant and hip hop dancing is great combo... I'm mean for me accountant is hella boring xD you need some excitement in your life

I took hip hop dance xD there so many kind of ppl that go.... you should see Belly Dancing THAT has so many different kinds of ppl xD even seniors xDDDDD.

Anyways Yes it may seem fast pace for you but when you do the routine over and over and over again it will stick you, and don't be afraid to ask the teacher to slow down for you to get one move.

[kpopsensation]

No, this is very normal. I found myself hard to follow the moves and dance to it. The reason is because of the teacher. They rush to teaching you the moves and forgets about those who don't know the moves. One of this guy I interview is a Vietnamese dance instructor and he noticed that dance teachers now a days don't know how to teach because they don't focus on the moves, they just want to get the dance moves over with and some teaches by the book, but he said that he teaches with his heart. He takes it slow for those who are trying to get a hang of hip hop dances.

I took hip hop class before and to be honest, I was shocked at how the teacher was making us do these weird exercises and I was doing the wrong move too. I know its embarrassing but I am not the only one. And you are not the only one my friend. Everyone learns differently and they learn at their own pace. I would hope to see a teacher who teaches by the heart. If its an one on one training then I'm sure you will get the moves right. My friend taught me one on one and it was easier then the hip hop class.

[hysteriic]

my mom took hiphop classes..and bellydance classes
now she can do the splits and dances better than me.
-__-"

so no, you arent too old
and everyone has a 'first class' experience!

[punky_brewster]

i usually watch MTV and record those dance step...
i was a dance when i was in high school to half of college days...
but now i'm doing yoga and jogging for exercise.

[Monkey Boy]

You're never too old! And height doesn't matter too much, either, as long as you're well-proportioned.

With hip hop it's different with stuff like popping, bboying etc because it's more about routine/choreography. So, for the most part, the classes will be taught just like that. Just make sure you watch closely and be on beat. If you lose your place, don't try and speed up or anything to compensate, just wait until you're in rhythm again and start again.

=)

[j-la]

as the majority said, you're never too old to dance. even my mom wants to go salsa dancing and she's nearly half a century.
the class you took probably had lessons before it, and the other people had more time to practice, whereas it was your first time. don't be discouraged. just watch, listen, learn, and practice. i'm sure you'll do fine. heck, i wanna take hip hop dancing classes, but i can't find the right class, and the prices of the classes i DO wanna take are way too hefty.

remember, practice makes perfect. (:

[Mr. Chan]

I would like to get into hip hop dancing, but the thought of epically failing has kept me from doing so.

[HERMIT]

I'd like to try it, but I'm afraid I have too much hip and nowhere's near enough hop.

[maaza]

Hey guys, Ok this isn't really a life changing event, more of me just being unable to make a decision on my own. I recently attended my first hip hop dance class the other day having never learnt dance before. Neither have I ever really been a pro-active dancer in the sense of casual get togethers with friends to bust some grooves, clubbing etc. I tend to get into beats and feel like dancing in my own spare time , but have never pro-actively taken it out in public.

Hi,

Hip hop dancers place a lot of importance in creating their own styles and their own body movements while dancing. They always look for new steps and movements to include in their dancing movements and styles.

[malayka]

Age doesn't matter. Height doesn't (really) matter ( as long as you're comfortable in your skin). What matters most is how much effort you invest in the dance, how much you practice ( after ur classes). Listen to your music a hundred times until you can't take it anymore, it'll help you know the beat better. I suggest that you can check out a different teacher before signing up for 9 weeks. It sounds like your current teacher is moving a little too fast for a begginer's class but I could be wrong. Last but not least, remember to have fun with it and let loose. When I dance it's all about my love for the dance and music. Feel it in your heart and your soul and your bady will follow. Good luck

[RyokuTenshi]

i know im not 20 , im 19 going on 20 in july ,
but hey , when i first started choreo , it was real hard following along ,

its natural , you arent too old to start , theres alotta people older than me who dance ,
also theres quite a few people who are pretty tall too (:
im a bboy , a freestyler , so its hard following someone else cause im used to following myself yno ?

but trust me when i say this , once you keep doing it , and keep taking workshops and learning more ,
it gets alot easier , and you pick it up faster ,

this is talking from experience ,
im still not the best at picking choreo up BUT ,
i have seem myself grow in hip-hop choreography .

but yeah thats how most classes are ,
and for sure my first class was pretty bad though ,
sometimes they still are , BUT we're in classes to learn right ?
everyone has to start somewhere , and everyone starts the same way ,

just like when i bboy , everyone starts the same way .

its cool to know that cause freestyling and breakin is what i do ,
and usually the transition between the two is pretty different with some similarities ,

just make sure you dont give up even if you tend to over think it ,
so keep it up , if you have the passion for it , keep going ,
you got it (: , all it is , is time and practice !

hope this helped , if anything else feel free too pm (: or reply , id be happy to help in anyway i can ,
im no expert of course , but what im talking about is fo real (:

you can do it :D !

[Xiaoba1tu]

The first few classes for beginners is hard to keep up with, especially having to remember the choreography.
I don't think you should be put down by the challenge of learning how to dance hip hop, especially if you're just a beginner.
A good way to remember steps from a routine is to practice the day you learn it when you come home. Practice with the same song if possible. Practicing it straight away after you have learnt it, ensures that you retained as much as you could from that class. Also listening to hip hop music and the beat of the song helps you dance - and after a while you won't look like a mess. Keep practicing, that's the only way to improve!
I went for a 6 week, once a week hip hop dance class for beginners a couple of years ago. It was challenging but fun.

[kerupi]

Kenji, I'm curious so do you attend these classes then and if so? has your attitude changed?