Find the beat. Every dance style including free styling at a party or club, requires you to be able to move in time with the music. Most songs are written with four beats per measure meaning the beat should be very recognizable. Just listen to the drums. You can count 1, 2, 3, 4, giving a number to each drumbeat. In a fast song, the drums often hit every other beat. Practice finding the beat by clapping along with the drums.
Add your feet. Once you are able to clap along with the drums, you have established the beat. Now it's time to get your body moving. Step on the 1 and 3 count and clap on the 2 and 4. Step with your right foot, and then clap. Now step with your left foot and then clap. Be sure you are stepping side to side, almost in place, and not trying to move forward. Count out loud!
Add some hip action. As you step with the right foot, lead with your right hip out, and then reverse it on the left. Remember your hips and feet move on the 1 count and then you clap on the 2 and 4. Once you have mastered this, you can change the claps to snaps. You'll look cooler on the dance floor!! Keep your elbows tucked in instead of flailing about.
Add your own style, but do it front of a mirror or ask a friend to give their honest opinion about how your moves look! If you have found the beat, and loosened up your hips, you can add other body parts as well. You may want to look in the direction you step each time, or look into your partner's eyes! You could add some shoulder bouncing for a hip-hop flair, or double the hip action! It's up to you. How much you add may depend on where you’re dancing, or with whom you are dancing.
Take a class or many classes! Congratulations, you are now dancing! If you can find the beat and move in time with the music, then you are certainly capable of learning so much more in any style dance class! There are so many choices, from ballroom, ballet, hip-hop, tap and jazz, to country line dancing at your local bar. Sign up for a class in your preferred style, and get ready to have some fun.