Breakdance is an American dance whose figures make you feel delighted and dizzy! Sometimes you can take it literally, because learning breakdance is not only acrobatic stunts in the air, but also figures performed on the head. The history of this dance dates back to the seventies of the twentieth century, and breakdance itself developed most strongly at the turn of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Check what is the characteristic of breakdance, what is the music for this style and learn the detailed description and figures of breakdance.

Contents:

  1. History of breakdance
  2. Breakdance description
  3. Figures in breakdance
  4. Learning breakdance
  5. Music for breakdance

Breakdance , also known as break, breaking, bboying, breakdancing, is a world-famous lively dance with acrobatic elements. Breakdance is one of the elements of hip-hop culture, and its history dates back to the second half of the 20th century. Complicated breakdance figures are a characteristic element of the description of this dance, but theory is not enough to understand what breakdance actually is. Learning might be a bit of a hassle at first, but all you need is the will and fitness to become a professional b-boy or b-girl. You can't dance a style without a proper soundtrack. Breakdance music is a very important element of the dance - it gives the right rhythm, teaches how to feel and evokes emotions.

History of breakdance

The history of breakdance began in the Bronx, New York, around the 1970s. This dance was inspired by the battles of the uprising in which local gangs took part. Initially, it consisted of showing the opponents various gestures, poses and marking their strokes.

The history of breakdance in Poland dates back to 1986, when the Szczecin-based Be-Bop dance formation and the Flash Boys group from Gniezno were founded.

Uprock (rocking) transformed into toprock. Apparently, the inspiration for these dance transformations was the music and dance of James Brown. Footwork steps, i.e. steps on the ground floor, as well as exuberant movements and more difficult figures called powermoves, began to be added to the newly created dance.

Two dance formations contributed the most to the development of breakdance - Rock Steady Crew and NewYork City Breakers. These popular dance teams were the inspiration for the filming of Beat Street in 1984. This film brought breakdance worldwide fame.

Breakdance description

Breakdance is one of the most difficult dances in the world. It requires incredible coordination and physical strength. In breakdance, most of the moves are made on the ground, taking on complex shapes. The specific work of the arms and legs is also extremely important, but it is mainly performed in standing positions. In this almost acrobatic dance, several basic groups of dance figures can be distinguished: top-rock, drops, power moves, freeze and footwork.

An important aspect in the description of breakdance are dance battles (so-called batelki), which are an inherent element of this style. Other forms of competition are:

  • a circle in which everyone goes to the center and shows what they can do;
  • kontest, i.e. a battle in which only one figure or breakdance element is danced.

Figures in breakdance

There are many figures in breakdance. They are divided into five groups: top rock, drops, power moves, freeze and footwork.

Toprockare energetic steps combined with gestures. Toprock is usually an introduction to the main choreography. This group is divided into: Indian Step, Indian Crossover (Indian Rock), Crossover, Hustler Step, Charlie Rock, Apache, Salsa Step, Latino Rock, Bounce Roller Skate Step.

Powermovesare in other words rotational movements (turns, twirls) performed on the ground floor. This is by far the most difficult and spectacular part of learning breakdance. The basic figures in this group are: Backspin (spinning top) - turns on the back, Handspin (paw) - turns on one hand in the scorpion position using e.g. a hat, Headspin (bubble) - turns on the head, 1990 (nine) - turns on with one hand in an upright position, Swipes, Turtle (turtle) - walking in a circle on hands in a scorpion, UFO - turtle on straight hands, Windmill (bars) - turns on the upper parts of the torso, Headmill - faster windmill with a transition on the head, Babymill ( kids) - windmill with bent and joined legs, Tombstone mills - windmill with joined and straight legs, Bellymills - windmill with a passage on the stomach, Superman mills - windmill with a passage on forward arms, Halo (trax), Flare or Thomas wheels ( thomasy) Crickets - jumping in the "scorpion" position on one hand, Jack Hammers - cricket on one hand, Circle / Virgin flares (clocks) - flare with legs joined low to the ground, Airflare or Airtracks (twisters), Elbowtrack (twister on elbows / forearms), 2000 - nine against twohands, Rubberband, Elbow spin, Shoulder spin.

Freezeare figures in which he literally freezes, trying to hold out without any movement. They are divided into: Baby Freeze Open, Baby Freeze Close, Chair Freeze (chair), Turtle Freeze (scorpion) - a stand-up on the arm supported against the stomach, Air Baby, Air Jordan, Shire Freeze, Tilting Tower Freeze, Hollow Back, Invert Freeze, Ninja Freeze, Plank Freeze, Hi Plank, One Hand Crutch or Flo Freeze, Shoulder Freeze.

Dropare transitions from toprock to footwork or powermove, i.e. Coin Drop - back throw, Half Swipe, Front Swipe, Back Swipe, Cross Swipe, Knee Drop, W, Cork Screw.

Footworkiare squat steps such as: Six Step, Four Step, Three Step, Baby Love, Bounce C.C., C.C. Jump On The Leg, Peter Pan, Octopus, Two Step (Baby Swipes), Bicycle Pumps, Scrambles, Pretzel, Helicopter, Zulu Spin.

This will be useful to you

Meet other types of dance:

  • Viennese w altz
  • argentinian tango
  • rumba
  • samba
  • kizomba
  • bachata
  • salsa
  • cha-cha
  • swing
  • rock and roll
  • hip-hop
  • dancehall
  • jazz
  • pole dance (pole dance)
  • zumba
  • flamenco
  • bokwa
  • belly dance

Learning breakdance

Learning to breakdance is gradual. At the beginning, we learn how to dance the easiest top-rock steps and we learn to sense the rhythm and general feeling of dance. Then we move on to learning powermoves, which are crucial in breakdance. When we master the most important acrobatic steps, then we can work on polishing our technique with footwork or freeze figures. A good dance instructor will also take care of properly strengthening our muscles, improving their stretching and joint mobility.

Breakdance is intended for people who are extremely durable, stretched and physically strong, because learning to breakdance is not the easiest thing to do and the figures that we will perform can be quite a challenge.

Music for breakdance

Initially, b-boys danced to soul, funk, electro and hip-hop music, but later DJs who played at parties started mixing beats and so a music genre was born especially for dancers, i.e. rhythmic breakbeat.

Performers who create typical breakdance music include Esone, DJ Zeb Roc Ski, DJ Def Cut, DJ Kid Stretch, DJ M @ R, DJ Nas'D and DJ Woodoo.

Seecompilation of the best breakdance songs

Category:

Dance