How To Dance to Funk Music

In the late 1960’s, African-American music artists blended jazz, R&B, and soul into one new music
genre they called funk. Because of these roots, funk is distinctly rhythmic, highlighting electric guitar riffs, bass lines, and drum thumps. Its distinct rhythm makes funk music danceable, which is why in the 1970’s, a few years after the birth of the music genre, funk dance styles were born. These dance styles were soon adapted by the hip hop community, and not too long after, hip hop dancers incorporated funk dance styles into their own moves. In clubs, you can see how hip hop and funk dancers move their body to the beat of funk music. They dance with graceful agility and complex movements. But don’t get intimidated. Even if you are not so familiar with hip hop or funk dance movements, it is quite easy to groove to funk music. Here’s how.

* Familiarize yourself with the music. The first thing you need to do when attempting to dance to funk music is familiarize yourself with its beat and rhythm. Notice the pattern—the fastest and slowest parts, the sound, and the feel. And as you do, create dance steps in your mind, which you think can go with the music.
* Allow the music overtake you. Do what dancers do: feel the music and allow it to move your body. In the previous tip, you created mental dance steps; now, it is time to perform them. Just move your body. Open your arms, stretch your legs, sway your hips, move your feet, and jump. Do what your mind tells you to do. And make sure to free yourself from all kinds of inhibitions.
* Learn how professional dancers do it. Learn doesn’t mean you are expected to dance like the professional dancers. But it does mean you are at least expected to be familiar with the way they move. This way, you can have an idea what funk movements are like and try to incorporate these moves into your own. While your goal here is not to dance like a funk or hip hop dancer, you should dance in way that is close to funk style.
* Watch old funk dance videos. If you have access to these videos, great. You can see how people groove to the funk music in its heyday. Again, notice how they dance. Learn the patterns, routines, handwork, and footwork. Then, try to execute them. You may not get them the first time, but with consistent practice, you can master the steps and dance like you have been dancing all your life.
* Practice a lot. Whenever you have spare time, consider practicing your funk moves. Find a place where you can conveniently and unashamedly practice. You can, for instance, do it in your room or in a bathroom. Also, try to dance to different funk songs. Collect as many funk songs as you can and try to choreograph each of them.

So you won’t stress your body out, it will help if you do stretching exercises before dancing. Particularly, focus on your knees, legs, arms, and upper body.