From Louie Armstrong to Kendrick Lamar, it’s no secret that jazz music heavily influences hip-hop. Just as jazz’s characteristically “loose” notes, improvisational aspects, and “bebop” style spawned generations of new creative iterations, jazz dancing endured a concurrent evolution. Thus, many find they can easily acclimate from jazz to hip-hop dancing, a derivative of the style. If you’re a jazz dancer who wants to learn hip-hop, here’s how to prepare for the change.

3 Ways to Make the Change From Jazz to Hip-Hop

1. Purchase Hip-Hop Shoes

While most jazz dancers wear a leotard, tights, and jazz shoes, hip-hop dancers tend to wear sneakers and almost any outfit, including comfortable street clothes. Before you start learning new hip-hop moves, pick up a pair of rubber-soled tennis shoes for practicing.

2. Sharpen Movements

While jazz dancing tends to involve loose, fluid movements similar to ballet, hip-hop relies heavily on snap-like precision. From popping and locking to crisscrossing, moonwalking, and cap-tricking, most hip-hop moves rely on a sharp “hit” on some notes of the eight-count. To transition from jazz to hip-hop, practice squeezing your muscles and snapping them into the proper precision. You don’t want to look stiff, though, so it will take some practice to attain the proper balance between rigidity and a jazz-like looseness.

3. Watch Videos

Whether you attend hip-hop dancing classes or are practicing at home, there’s a lot you can learn by browsing videos online. A quick search for hip-hop instructional videos will reveal endless selections, many of which feature professionals. Watching these videos will give you an idea of what to expect until you feel more comfortable trying out the moves yourself.

If you want to expand your hip-hop dancing skills, head to Trumbull, CT’s premier dance facility. The experienced instructors at Rockwell Dance Center teach hip-hop, jazz, and tap dancing classes for students of all ages. To learn more about this dance school, visit the website. If you have any questions or would like to enroll, call (203) 502-8315.