In-Depth: Are We Dancers? Understanding Dancing

And now that we’ve touched on what it means to dance (kind of), let’s explore a few “styles” of dance that have arisen in the EDM community.

Shuffling

Here is a video tutorial showing basic “steps” in a typical shuffle step which include the “running man” and a “t-step”.

The styles of shuffle go on for as long as there are genres of music, literally. But a few we’ve noticed that are still being done but are becoming less popular in recent years are jumpstyle, dnb, tektonik, melbourne, and as stated variations of the ‘running man’ and ‘t-step’. (Fun Fact:What is known as “C-Walking also uses a variation of the ‘t-step’).

Gloving

Gloving is a popular form of dance here in the Northwest, and many EDM fans are passionate about it as an art form. The variations and individuality brought to gloving, like every form of dance, should also be noted. Styles vary, and just like shuffling, can go on for as long as there are genres.

(For those interested: Here is a video for more of a ‘whip’ and ‘finger roll’ style gloving and here is a ‘tutting’ style tutrorial.)

And last but definitely not least…

Poi

Poi is a unique style of spinning ropes/strings with weighted ends in tune with the music. And as there are many more words that could be used for poi, we suggest if you want to see it, go out and find someone who can teach you rather than have us link another tutorial video.

Bottom line: This article was written and has suggested links with an earnest desire to motivate our readers, our listeners, to get up and go out and dance and tune in to the music all around you! But be careful what you let fill your ears, mind, body and soul. Peace and Love from DMNW.

(And the article image is a screenshot from The Black Swan (2010) which is a great film in trying to understand the length some take dance!)