Determine the type of dance routine you want to learn. Some examples are ballroom dancing, ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop. Ballroom dancing involves dancing with a partner and performing a lot of twirls. Ballet is characterized by both lyrical and rapid movements, with an emphasis on classical origin and technique. Tap involves the use of tap shoes which have taps on the bottom that provide the necessary sounds for the movements. Tap is based on rhythm and mostly involves foot movement. Jazz is similar to ballet, but more free in movement and less restricted than the classical technique often associated with ballet. Hip-hop involves the use of pop and lock, or other sharp movements that bring attitude and feeling into the dance.
Clear a space in front of the computer. To learn dance routines online, you need room to practice the dance. If you cannot fully practice the movements, you might not learn them as rapidly or remember them as effectively.
Find a sample written dance lesson. It is helpful to read through the steps of the dance. When watching the video version of the dance routine, you might miss a certain aspect of the movement, especially if you do not have a lot of experience. Therefore, it is beneficial to read a written version of the routine before you begin watching the routine. After reading through the routine at least once, try certain aspects of the routine with the written words.
Watch the video of the dance routine before trying it. This way, you will be able to see how the routine is done. You'll notice elements of the style of the routine you might have missed if you had tried it immediately.
Do the routine with the video in small increments. Watch the first few seconds of the routine, then try the first few seconds of the routine with the video. Look at the video while trying the routine. Repeat this segment of the dance until you feel comfortable with it. Do the same with the following segments.
Practice the entire dance routine with the online video without stopping. You can look at the video for reference if you need to. It is sometimes helpful to look at the dancer in the video while you are practicing in order to become more certain of the details. After you do the dance routine enough times while looking at the video, try it without watching the video. This will help you to perfect your ability to understand the dance routine.