Michael Jackson debuted his famous moonwalk (or "moonwalk") in 1983, but despite having put his own distinctive feature on it, Michael was not the first person to make this move. Anyone can try to do it, so what's stopping you from trying? If you want to know how to dance "Billie Jean" like a pro and want to become a master of the moonwalk, follow these simple steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Prepare
Step 1. Wear a pair of socks
While you can perform this dance move in any shoe (even hiking boots), you should have as little friction as possible as a beginner. Wearing socks will make these movements easier and allow you to glide across the entire floor.
When you've turned pro, you can even master this move by wearing sneakers! At the moment, doing this may seem impossible
Step 2. Find a smooth surface
Again, smoothness is key, and while you can try this move anywhere, practicing on a smooth, flat, non-sticky surface, such as a hardwood or tile floor, will help. You can obviously use any dance floor to practice this move, but you can also use kitchen floors. You'll want to stay away from uneven, uneven, or carpeted surfaces.
- If there is no smooth surface at home to practice on, then in uneven places you may be better off wearing shoes instead of socks.
- When you're an expert, you can even practice this move on a rug!
Method 2 of 2: Do the Moon Step
Step 1. Place one foot directly in front of the other and stand on the toes of your back leg
Next, lift your right leg and place the toes of your right foot facing the floor, approximately 12 inches behind your left leg. Keep your arms at your sides (you'll worry about them later). Keep your left foot completely on the floor.
Step 2. Keep your balance
You can do this by increasing the width between your legs and feet, until you feel stable. In general, it is good to have your legs between 7 and 15 cm (the width of one of your feet). As you get more comfortable with this move, you can do it with your legs closer together. You can raise your arms a bit if it helps you balance when moving backwards.
Step 3. Slide the heel of your left foot back and "toward" the floor
As you do this, bend over your right leg so that your left foot ends behind your right leg. During this movement, the heel of your right foot should remain fixed in the air, with your toes pointing toward the ground. Put all of your weight on your raised leg so that the foot that was on the ground feels light.
Step 4. Lift the heel of your left foot off the floor, and at the same time, place the heel of your right foot on the floor
You are now in the same position you started in, only this time your feet have changed position. Your right foot should be in front of your left leg and not the other way around. When performing this step correctly, only one of your feet should be in the air at any one time. Always one; never two, not zero.
Step 5. Repeat the two steps mentioned above, changing the roles of your left and right feet
This movement can be mastered, through practice and refinement, until it actually looks like you are walking on the moon and until your feet are rolling back smoothly and without any kink.
Step 6. Add some additional moves
Add a shake of the head to create the illusion of a "moonwalk". As you slide your leg back, move your head forward as it will stay behind in the movement. Then move your head back into place as you switch to the other foot.
- You can also swing your arms with each step, arch your shoulders, or put on your hat (if you're wearing one), just like Michael Jackson did.
- You can use your whole body to show that you are walking on the moon, not just your feet.
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Advice
- The tip of your feet never they must leave the ground.
- Start very slowly, practicing the movements methodically and individually. As you master the movements, gradually increase your speed. Make sure you perform these movements flawlessly.
- Leaning on a stable object can be very helpful at first; over time, you can do it without help.
- Swing your arms as if you were walking normally. As your left leg slides back, your right arm should swing forward and vice versa. Another variation on this is doing the moonwalk with your hands in your pockets.
- Actually, this technique is a combination of two different techniques from the stationary walk used in the pantomime: the "pressure walk" and the "walk against the wind." Mastering these techniques separately can help you learn the moonwalk easily and efficiently.
- If you use a pair of mirrors (one in front of you and one next to you), it will probably be easier for you to observe how you move.
- If you are a beginner, start by practicing on soft surfaces; wear socks.
- Once you think you've done it, ask a friend to observe you and give you their most honest opinion, before trying to do it at the club.
- Wearing socks is very helpful.
- Once you've mastered the backward movement, you can moonwalk in one spot, then to the sides. The trick to making this step look good is to exaggerate the gliding and movement of the heels and of course, syncing the rest of your body so that it looks like you are moving backwards, even though you are actually moving forward.
- Observe other people; it's so much easier to do it when you watch other people do it. If you know someone who can perform this dance step, watch them and ask for advice. However, if none of your friends know how to do this step, be the first. Watch videos of Michael Jackson or other dancers performing this step.
- A historical fact: the original name of this dance step was not moonwalk, but "backward slide". In the years when Michael Jackson was quite popular, the media used the word "moonwalk" to refer to this movement; it has been known that way ever since.