The Charleston is a medium to fast tempo dance that originated in the 1920s. It became known as the first social dance that could be practiced as a couple. There are several versions of the Charleston, with the 1920s and 1930s being the most popular. The Charleston is made up of a series of easily adaptable movements that can be incorporated into a wide variety of dances, but the basic step is always the same.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Master the Basic Move
Step 1. Take a back swing step with your left foot
Touch the floor with the tip of the right foot, without lowering the heel. Don't put all your weight on this foot.
- When dancing Charleston, lean your torso slightly forward and bend your knees a little. Keep your weight on the balls of your feet.
- The swing step, also known by its English names (rock or break) is a movement in which the weight is briefly transferred to one foot before returning to the first.
- This step is only started with the right foot to follow the partner when dancing in pairs. When two people dance the Charleston together, the leader begins by stepping back with his left foot, while the follower begins by stepping back with his right foot, moving as if one were the reflection of the other.
Step 2. Step back with your left foot
Now you must step in front of the right foot. This time, shift the weight to your left foot.
Step 3. Take another forward swinging step with your right foot
Touch the floor with your heel, without planting your entire foot. The weight should remain on the left foot after this movement.
Step 4. Take a step back with your right foot
Now you must step behind the left foot. Shift the weight back to your right foot.
Step 5. Swing your arms as you do the step
As you move, you should swing your arms. This may happen automatically, especially if you've ever seen other people dancing Charleston and have an idea of what the full movement looks like. When you have the left foot in front of the body, the right arm should launch forward. When you have the right foot in front of the body, the left arm should launch forward.
Step 6. Repeat this step
It is probably not spectacular on its own, but the forward, backward and forward movement pattern is the mainstay of any variant of the Charleston. Practice it until it feels natural to you. Once you get the hang of it, you are ready to start combining it with other moves.
Method 2 of 3: Dancing the 1920s Charleston
Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the basic movement
All variants of the Charleston require complete mastery of the basic gait. Practice it until it becomes mechanical.
Step 2. Rotate your foot in and out
Keep your weight on the balls of your feet. With each step, the heel of the foot you are weighing on should rotate in and out.
Step 3. Raise your elbows while swinging your arms
This move is basically an exaggerated version of the basic arm swing. As always, when you have your right foot in front of your body, you should launch your left arm forward, and when you have your left foot in front of your body, you should launch your right arm forward.
- You should bend your arms at an angle of about 90 degrees.
- The elbow of the arm that you throw back should be at shoulder height, and the forearm of the arm that you throw forward should be parallel to the floor.
Step 4. Rotate your knees in and out
There is a very typical movement of the Charleston that consists of opening and closing the knees while crossing and uncrossing the arms. This is possibly the most famous movement of the Charleston.
- Begin with your knees bent and touching each other, with your arms crossed so that your right hand is resting on your left knee and your left hand on your right knee.
- Spread your knees as you uncross your arms so that you end up with your left hand on your left knee and your right hand on your right knee.
- Repeat this movement a few times.
Method 3 of 3: Dancing the 1930s Charleston
Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the basic movement
All variants of the Charleston require a mastery of the basic gait. Practice it until it becomes mechanical.
Step 2. Substitute a kick step for the common step
This move will give an extra touch of energy to the basic step. Instead of taking a single step forward, raise your knee and kick your foot forward.
- You should raise your knee first, kicking your foot forward vigorously right after.
- If you don't need to shift your weight to that foot in this step, throw it back again without letting it touch the floor. If, on the other hand, you need to put the weight on that foot, plant it on the floor behind the body once you complete the forward kick.
Step 3. Add an element of difficulty by moving your leg back
Instead of just taking a step back after the kick, add an element of difficulty to this move. Raise your knee again, so that the raised leg is parallel to the floor, before kicking back.
Step 4. Touch the floor with your hand
This move will add some extra difficulty and add a touch of charm to the basic step. When you throw your leg back and touch the floor with the ball of your foot, lean your torso forward and tap the floor gently with the tips of the fingers of the opposite hand.