How to Do the Charleston
Take a rock step back with your left foot., Step back forward with your left foot., Take another rock step forward with your right foot., Step back with your right foot., Swing your arms as you step., Repeat this movement.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Take a rock step back with your left foot.
Touching the front of your foot to the floor, but not bringing your heel down.
Don’t fully shift your weight to this foot.When doing the Charleston, lean forward slightly and bend your knees a little.
Keep your weight on the balls of your feet.
A rock step, also called a break step, refers to a rocking step in which one’s weight is very briefly transferred to another foot before being returned to the first.
The only time when you might begin with your right foot is if you are following a partner.
When two people dance the Charleston together, the leader starts by stepping back on the left foot, while the follower starts by stepping back on the right, mirroring the leader. -
Step 2: Step back forward with your left foot.
It should now be a step ahead of your right foot.
This time, shift your weight to your left foot., Put the heel of your foot on the ground without bringing your whole foot down.
Your weight should end up on your left foot still. , It should now be a step behind your left foot.
Shift your weight back onto your right foot. , As you move, your arms should be swinging.
This may happen automatically, especially if you’ve seen people do the Charleston before and know what it’s supposed to look like.
When your left foot is in front of you, your right arm should swing forward.
When your right foot is in front of you, your left arm should swing forward., It probably won’t look terribly impressive on its own, but the back, forward, forward, back motion is the building block for every variation on the Charleston.
Practice until it feels natural.
Then you’ll be ready to start mixing things up. -
Step 3: Take another rock step forward with your right foot.
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Step 4: Step back with your right foot.
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Step 5: Swing your arms as you step.
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Step 6: Repeat this movement.
Detailed Guide
Touching the front of your foot to the floor, but not bringing your heel down.
Don’t fully shift your weight to this foot.When doing the Charleston, lean forward slightly and bend your knees a little.
Keep your weight on the balls of your feet.
A rock step, also called a break step, refers to a rocking step in which one’s weight is very briefly transferred to another foot before being returned to the first.
The only time when you might begin with your right foot is if you are following a partner.
When two people dance the Charleston together, the leader starts by stepping back on the left foot, while the follower starts by stepping back on the right, mirroring the leader.
It should now be a step ahead of your right foot.
This time, shift your weight to your left foot., Put the heel of your foot on the ground without bringing your whole foot down.
Your weight should end up on your left foot still. , It should now be a step behind your left foot.
Shift your weight back onto your right foot. , As you move, your arms should be swinging.
This may happen automatically, especially if you’ve seen people do the Charleston before and know what it’s supposed to look like.
When your left foot is in front of you, your right arm should swing forward.
When your right foot is in front of you, your left arm should swing forward., It probably won’t look terribly impressive on its own, but the back, forward, forward, back motion is the building block for every variation on the Charleston.
Practice until it feels natural.
Then you’ll be ready to start mixing things up.
About the Author
Kevin Diaz
With a background in technology and innovation, Kevin Diaz brings 11 years of hands-on experience to every article. Kevin believes in making complex topics accessible to everyone.
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