Beginner Dance Styles to Try: Hip-Hop, Ballet, and Contemporary
Dance can be a wonderful way to move your body, express yourself, learn something new, and simply have fun. But if you've never taken a dance class before, choosing a style can feel a little overwhelming. There are so many options, and it can be difficult to know which one will actually suit you.
Three styles that are especially worth exploring are hip-hop, ballet, and contemporary. They are very different from one another, which makes them a great introduction to the wide world of dance.
Hip-hop tends to be energetic, rhythmic, and playful. Ballet focuses on technique, posture, balance, and controlled movement. Contemporary combines elements of several dance traditions with more expressive, fluid movement.
You don't need previous dance experience to try any of them. Beginner classes are designed to teach the fundamentals, and you can start at any age or fitness level. The most important thing is finding a style that makes you want to keep moving.
Why Try Dance as a Beginner?
Dance offers more than just physical exercise.
Learning choreography requires concentration and memory. You have to listen to music, pay attention to timing, remember combinations, and coordinate different parts of your body.
At the same time, dance gives you a creative outlet.
You can focus on improving your technique while also enjoying the music and discovering how you naturally move. Taking a class can also be a great way to meet people, especially if you join a regular group.
You don't have to become a professional dancer to enjoy these benefits. Dance can simply become a hobby that gives you something enjoyable to look forward to each week.
Hip-Hop: High-Energy and Fun
Hip-hop is often a great choice for beginners who want something energetic, rhythmic, and less formal.
The style developed from hip-hop culture and encompasses a variety of movement styles, including foundational grooves, footwork, and styles such as breaking, popping, and locking.
Different instructors and studios may teach hip-hop quite differently, so don't be surprised if two beginner classes feel completely different.
Some classes focus heavily on choreography, while others spend more time teaching foundational movements.
What to Expect in a Beginner Hip-Hop Class
A typical class may begin with a warm-up before moving into basic steps, grooves, or rhythm exercises.
The instructor will then teach a short combination.
You may learn it in small sections, repeating each section several times before putting everything together.
Don't worry if you don't remember the choreography immediately.
Everyone gets lost sometimes, especially when learning a combination for the first time. The goal is to keep trying and gradually become more comfortable with the rhythm and movement.
What Makes Hip-Hop Good for Beginners?
Hip-hop can be particularly appealing if you enjoy popular music and energetic movement.
You don't necessarily need the flexibility associated with some other dance styles, and many beginner classes have a relaxed atmosphere.
It can also help you become more comfortable with rhythm and musicality.
You'll learn to listen for beats, accents, pauses, and changes in the music rather than simply moving through a sequence mechanically.
What to Wear for Hip-Hop
Comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely is usually a good choice.
Depending on the studio, you may wear sneakers or another type of supportive athletic shoe.
Avoid anything that makes it difficult to bend, squat, turn, or move your arms comfortably.
If you're not sure what a particular class requires, check with the studio before attending.
Ballet: A Foundation for Technique
Ballet is often associated with professional dancers, pointe shoes, and highly technical performances,
but you don't need any of that to begin.
Adult beginner ballet classes are designed for people who have little or no experience.
Ballet can teach you a strong understanding of posture, alignment, balance, coordination, and controlled movement.
Even if you eventually decide to explore another dance style, these skills can be useful.
What to Expect in a Beginner Ballet Class
Many ballet classes begin at the barre.
You'll learn basic positions and exercises while using the barre for support. These exercises help you become familiar with ballet terminology and movement patterns.
The class may then move into exercises in the center of the room.
You might practice simple combinations involving steps, arm movements, turns, or small jumps.
Don't worry if the terminology sounds like another language at first. Ballet uses many traditional French terms, and you'll gradually learn what they mean.
Why Ballet Can Be Good for Beginners
Ballet is a good choice if you enjoy structure and want to focus on technique.
You'll learn to pay close attention to how your body is positioned and how movements connect.
It can also be surprisingly challenging.
A simple-looking exercise may require considerable control and coordination.
That's part of what makes ballet satisfying. You can return to the same basic exercises over time and notice how your technique improves.
Do You Need Ballet Shoes?
You may eventually want a pair of ballet slippers, but check with the studio before buying anything.
Some beginner classes allow students to start in socks or comfortable clothing while they decide whether they enjoy the style.
You do not need pointe shoes as a beginner.
Pointe work requires significant training and preparation and isn't part of a typical introductory class.
Contemporary: Expressive and Fluid
Contemporary dance can be a wonderful option if you want a style that allows for more individual expression.
Contemporary incorporates ideas from several dance traditions and often explores concepts such as weight, momentum, floor work, suspension, release, and changes in direction.
It can look very different from one class or choreographer to another.
Some contemporary classes are slow and emotional. Others are athletic and energetic.
That variety is part of the appeal.
What to Expect in a Beginner Contemporary Class
A class may begin with a warm-up designed to get your body moving through different ranges of motion.
You might work on basic exercises involving balance, shifting weight, floor movement, or traveling across the room.
Eventually, the instructor may teach a short combination.
Unlike some more structured dance styles, contemporary may encourage you to think about how a movement feels rather than simply how it looks.
You may be asked to experiment with momentum, levels, or different ways of moving through space.
Why Contemporary Can Be Good for Beginners
Contemporary is a good option if you enjoy creativity and expression.
You don't necessarily have to make every movement look identical to everyone else's.
The style often gives dancers opportunities to explore emotion, musicality, and individuality.
It can also introduce you to concepts that are useful in many other forms of dance.
What to Wear for Contemporary
Comfortable clothing is important because contemporary classes often involve floor work.
Leggings, fitted athletic pants, shorts, or a comfortable shirt can work well.
Many contemporary classes are taken barefoot, although requirements vary by studio.
Because you'll likely be moving on the floor, choose clothing that allows you to bend and stretch comfortably.
Hip-Hop vs. Ballet vs. Contemporary
If you're trying to decide between the three, think about what kind of experience sounds most enjoyable.
Choose hip-hop if you:
Love energetic music
Enjoy rhythm and grooves
Want a relaxed, high-energy class
Like learning choreography
Prefer a more casual atmosphere
Choose ballet if you:
Enjoy structure
Want to focus on technique
Like precise movements
Are interested in posture and alignment
Want to build a strong dance foundation
Choose contemporary if you:
Enjoy expressive movement
Like experimenting
Want to explore musicality
Don't mind floor work
Prefer a more fluid style
There isn't a wrong choice.
You may even discover that you enjoy all three for completely different reasons.
Don't Be Afraid of Beginner Classes
If you've never danced before, you may feel nervous about walking into a studio full of people who seem more experienced.
Remember that beginner classes exist specifically for people who are learning.
You are not expected to know the terminology or remember choreography immediately.
You will probably make mistakes.
So will everyone else.
You may turn the wrong direction, forget a step, or start moving a beat too early. That's part of learning.
Try to laugh it off and keep going.
You Don't Need to Be Flexible
A common misconception is that you need to be naturally flexible before starting dance.
You don't.
Flexibility can develop over time, and different dance styles require different physical abilities.
A beginner class should meet you where you are.
Don't force your body into positions that cause pain just because someone else can go farther.
Focus on gradually improving your range of motion and learning proper technique.
You Don't Need to Be Naturally Rhythmic
Another common worry is, "I have no rhythm."
Rhythm is a skill you can practice.
Start by listening to music and identifying the beat. Tap your foot, clap along, or simply walk in time with the music.
Dance classes give you plenty of opportunities to develop your sense of timing.
You don't have to walk into your first class already knowing how to move perfectly with the music.
Give Yourself Time to Learn Choreography
Remembering choreography is a skill.
At first, it can feel like your brain is trying to memorize too many things at once.
Don't panic.
Break combinations into small sections. Pay attention to the instructor's counts and cues. Practice the difficult section repeatedly instead of trying to memorize the entire routine immediately.
Eventually, your body begins to remember movements without you consciously thinking about every step.
Focus on Progress Rather Than Looking Perfect
When you're learning dance, it's easy to watch other people and feel like everyone else understands the choreography faster than you do.
Try not to make that your focus.
Instead, notice your own progress.
Maybe you remembered more of the combination this week. Maybe you felt more comfortable with a particular movement. Maybe you didn't freeze when the music started.
Those are real improvements.
Dance is a skill, and skills develop with practice.
Take Beginner Classes Seriously, But Have Fun
Learning dance requires effort, but that doesn't mean every class needs to feel like a test.
You can work on your technique while still enjoying yourself.
Smile. Listen to the music. Let yourself make mistakes. Celebrate when you finally get a difficult step.
If you spend the entire class worrying about whether you're doing everything perfectly, you may miss the enjoyment that made you want to dance in the first place.
Try Different Instructors and Studios
Your experience with a dance style can depend heavily on the instructor.
One hip-hop class might focus on choreography while another emphasizes foundational movements. One ballet teacher may have a very structured approach, while another may create a more relaxed atmosphere.
If you don't enjoy your first class, don't assume you dislike the entire style.
Try another instructor or studio if you have the opportunity.
Finding the right environment can make a huge difference.
*As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Consider Taking Classes Online
In-person classes aren't your only option.
Online beginner classes can be useful if you're nervous about attending a studio or don't have convenient classes nearby.
They also allow you to pause, rewind, and repeat combinations.
That can be particularly helpful when you're learning choreography.
Just make sure you have enough open space to move safely, and choose instructors who clearly explain technique and modifications for beginners.
Start Slowly
You don't need to take five dance classes a week to make progress.
One beginner class per week can be enough to get started.
As you become more comfortable, you can add another class or practice at home.
Your body also needs time to adapt to unfamiliar movements.
Especially when you're new to dance, give yourself recovery time and don't push through sharp or unusual pain.
Think About What You Want From Dance
The best dance style for you depends partly on what you're hoping to get from the experience.
Maybe you want a fun form of exercise. Maybe you want to perform someday. Perhaps you're interested in improving coordination or trying something creative.
You might simply want a hobby that gets you away from your computer for an hour.
Your goals can help guide your choice.
And remember that your goals can change. You may start ballet because you want to improve technique and eventually discover that contemporary is where you feel most at home.
Dance Is for More Than Professional Performers
You don't have to dream of performing on a major stage to benefit from dance.
Dance can be a hobby.
You can take a class after work, dance with friends, practice choreography at home, or attend a community class simply because you enjoy it.
There is no requirement to turn your hobby into a competition.
You don't even have to perform for anyone.
Learning to move with music can be rewarding simply because it makes you feel more comfortable in your own body and gives you an enjoyable creative outlet.
Don't Give Up After One Class
Your first dance class may feel awkward.
That's normal.
You may not understand the terminology. You may forget the combination. You may feel like everyone else is watching you, even though they're probably concentrating on themselves.
Give yourself a few classes before deciding whether a style is right for you.
The first class is about figuring out where the bathrooms are, learning the instructor's teaching style, getting used to the room, and discovering what the class feels like.
You may enjoy it much more once the unfamiliarity wears off.
Find the Style That Makes You Want to Come Back
Hip-hop, ballet, and contemporary all offer something different.
Hip-hop can introduce you to rhythm, grooves, and energetic choreography. Ballet can help you develop control, balance, alignment, and technical awareness. Contemporary can encourage creativity, musicality, and expressive movement.
You don't need to choose based on which style seems most impressive.
Choose the one that makes you curious.
Maybe you hear a song and immediately want to move. Maybe you're fascinated by ballet technique. Maybe you love the emotional quality of contemporary choreography.
Follow that interest.
The best beginner dance style isn't necessarily the one you're naturally good at. It's the one that makes you want to keep learning.
And if you try one style and discover that it's not for you, that's useful information too. There are countless ways to dance, and somewhere out there is a class, style, or instructor that may make you wonder why you didn't start sooner.
LEARN MORE:
*As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Comments