TikTok dances have exploded in popularity over the past few years. The short form video app makes it easy for users to create and share 15 to 60 second dance videos. Catchy songs paired with fun, easy-to-learn choreography has led to viral dance challenges and trends on the platform. According to TikTok, top dances like the Renegade, Savage, Mood, and Say So have billions of combined views. With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok’s massive reach has allowed dance trends to spread globally at unprecedented rates. The app’s Duet and Stitch features also facilitate collaboration, allowing users to put their own spin on popular dances. As TikTok continues its meteoric rise, viral dances and challenges will likely remain a staple of the platform.
Picking your first dance
When starting out, it’s best to pick an easier dance for your first TikTok. Look for dances with repeated moves and simpler footwork, rather than extremely fast and complex choreography. The point is to get comfortable filming yourself dancing and learning new moves – not take on something way above your skill level. According to Steezy, it helps to “Glance at the Recommended Sounds” on TikTok to find popular dance trends and songs.
Consider your musical tastes too. Part of the fun is dancing to songs you enjoy! You’ll feel more motivated to practice a routine with a song you like listening to on repeat. Check out the sounds associated with current dance challenges and see if any appeal to you before deciding on which one to learn first.
Finding the right level of difficulty will help build confidence as you start learning TikTok dances. Don’t worry about mastering complex choreography on your first try. Build up your skills over time by starting with easier trends before tackling more advanced dances.
Learning the choreography
Once you’ve picked a dance to learn, watch through the full tutorial video a couple times to familiarize yourself with the overall choreography and flow of the dance (Tik Tok Dance Tutorials). Then break down each distinct move in the dance one by one. Watch sections of the tutorial video focusing on a single move at a time. Pause and rewind to isolate each transition. Go slowly, spending time to understand the details of each body position and weight change. Breaking the dance into individual components will make it much more manageable to learn.
According to dance instructor Annabelle Holman, “Once you master doing those two or three moves in slow motion, speed up slightly and link the moves together.” (A Quick Guide to Learning TikTok Dances). Keep building up your muscle memory for each motion before trying to do the full dance at original speed. With focused practice on individual moves, you’ll be able to learn even complicated choreography step-by-step.
Practicing regularly
One of the most important tips for learning TikTok dances is to practice regularly. Set aside consistent time each day, even if it’s just 15-30 minutes, to drill the moves. Repetition is key to nailing the choreography and getting your body adjusted to the motions. Practicing a little bit every day is more effective than cramming once a week.
When first starting out, it can be helpful to practice in front of a mirror so you can see the choreography and how your body is moving. Film yourself as well to compare against the original video and make adjustments. Practicing slowly first and then trying to match the original speed is an effective approach. Be patient as you practice, go at your own pace, and over time your muscles will memorize the moves.
Consistent, daily practice is essential for truly mastering TikTok dances. Set aside dedicated time to drill the moves, even if just briefly each day. In addition to daily practice, reviewing tutorial videos will help sharpen your skills over time.
Recording and reviewing
One of the best ways to improve your TikTok dancing is to record yourself dancing and analyze the footage. Set your phone against something sturdy or have a friend record you so you can get the full range of motion in the frame. Record yourself doing the dance a few times, then go back and watch the videos closely. Look for parts where your moves don’t look as sharp or clean as the original video. Check your form and positioning. Are there spots where you could hit the moves harder? Are you getting the angles and transitions right? Reviewing yourself will help you identify problem areas to focus your practice on. As you get more comfortable with the routine, you’ll be able to execute it smoother and start adding your own flair. But taking the time to record, review, and self-critique is key for improvement as a beginner.
Feeling Confident with Your Dances
As you learn and practice TikTok dances, feeling confident can be a struggle. It’s easy to compare yourself to other dancers who may have been doing it longer. But the key is to not get discouraged and make sure you’re having fun! As TikTok says, “dance like no one’s watching” and focus on your own progress and enjoyment, not what others are doing. Stay positive and don’t give up. Over time as you practice, you’ll gain more confidence. Remember that confidence comes from within. Focus on the feeling of accomplishment when you nail a routine and build up your skills at your own pace. Most of all, remember that TikTok is about creativity and fun – the more you’re enjoying yourself while dancing, the more confident you’ll become. For helpful advice on building confidence while learning dances, check out this TikTok page.
Duets and trends
One of the most popular ways to get involved in TikTok dances is through duets and dance challenges. A duet allows you to create a split-screen video dancing alongside someone else’s video. This can be a fun way to put your own spin on another creator’s choreography. Some of the biggest TikTok dances have started through duet chains, like the Renegade dance. When a dance starts trending, you’ll often see tons of duet versions as people add their own flair.
Participating in dance challenges is another great way to try new choreography and join trending dances. Dance challenges go viral all the time on TikTok, with creators and fans jumping in to film their own version. Some of the most popular dance challenges include the WAP challenge, the Git Up challenge, and the Savage challenge. Keep an eye on new dance hashtags and try taking part yourself. It can be really rewarding to learn a popular TikTok dance and add your take.
Trying viral dances through duets and challenges lets you put your skills to the test while also participating in the fun, collaborative side of TikTok. As you get more comfortable with choreography, look for opportunities to join in on trending dances and make them your own.
Developing your style
Once you’ve learned the basics of performing trending dances, you can start putting your own flair into it. The key is to stay true to yourself. Think about what makes you unique and how you can incorporate that into the moves. For example, add some hip swaying or incorporate different arm movements. You want your dance covers to be recognizable as your own style, not an exact copy of someone else’s work. As TikTok creator Charli D’Amelio says, “Don’t be afraid to freestyle and make the dances your own!” 1 The most popular TikTok dancers have an authentic vibe that resonates with viewers.
Going live and posting
Once you’ve practiced your dance and feel confident, it’s time to share it with the TikTok community. Going live allows you to get real-time feedback before posting the final video. It also helps build hype and gives followers a sneak peek. When going live, read comments and engage with viewers – it makes the experience more interactive. Consider doing a short Q&A or mini challenge to get comfortable being on camera.
When posting the final dance video, choose a relevant sound and hashtags so it reaches your target audience. Check what time gets you the most views based on past videos. Schedule the post if needed. Interact with commenters and duet or stitch videos that use your dance for added exposure. Being consistent with posting builds anticipation for your next video.
Conclusion
Learning TikTok dances takes time and practice, but starting with a simple choreography, practicing regularly, and using the app’s features to build confidence are the keys to success. Recapping the main steps, choose a beginner-friendly dance to start, learn the choreography completely before recording, practice for short periods daily, use duets and reactions to get comfortable on camera, develop your own style over time, and don’t worry about going viral right away – focus on having fun dancing. Consistent practice is what will lead to growth and improvement on TikTok. Now that you know how to get started, it’s time to open up TikTok and start learning your first dance. Don’t get discouraged, stay patient with yourself, and let the joy of moving to music carry you through the learning process. You got this!
