The Electric Slide is an easy and fun dance for all ages. Follow the instructions in this article to get it right.
Steps
Step 1. Wait for the music to start
Step 2. Grapevine to the right and tap your foot
A "grapevine" indicates a series of side steps in one direction, one step to the side, then another to cross front or back with the other foot and then another side step. Below you will find a more detailed explanation. Count 1, 2, 3, 4 in time with the music and do the following on each beat:
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Step to the right with my right foot.
Do the Electric Slide Step 2Bullet1 -
Step to the right with the left foot crossing it behind the right foot.
Do the Electric Slide Step 2Bullet2 -
Step to the right with my right foot, without crossing my feet.
Do the Electric Slide Step 2Bullet3 -
Bring your feet together, tapping your left foot on your right (you can also clap each time you tap your feet). Tapping doesn't mean putting your foot on your left foot, you just tap your foot on the ground. The next step will be with the left foot so the weight must remain on the right foot.
Do the Electric Slide Step 2Bullet4
Step 3. Grapevine to the left and tap your foot; like the grapevine on the right, only on the other side
Count 1, 2, 3, 4 in time with the music and make the following movements for each beat:
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Step to the left with my left foot.
Do the Electric Slide Step 3Bullet1 -
Step left with my right foot crossing it behind the left foot.
Do the Electric Slide Step 3Bullet2 -
I step to the left with my left foot, again without crossing my feet.
Do the Electric Slide Step 3Bullet3 -
Bring your feet together, tapping your right foot over your left foot. As before, DO NOT place your weight on your right foot as the next step will be performed with that.
Do the Electric Slide Step 3Bullet4
Step 4. Take 3 steps back and tap your foot
This part is similar to the grapevine steps except that it goes backwards instead of sideways. As before, count 1, 2, 3, 4 in time with the music as you do the following:
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Step back with your right foot.
Do the Electric Slide Step 4Bullet1 -
Step back with your left foot.
Do the Electric Slide Step 4Bullet2 -
Step back with your right foot.
Do the Electric Slide Step 4Bullet3 -
Tap your left foot next to your right. Again, DO NOT place your weight on your left foot as you will take the next step with it (optionally you can lift one knee, kick, point your foot and lift your hip or anything else instead of bringing your feet together. put your weight on your left foot).
Do the Electric Slide Step 4Bullet4
Step 5. Take one step forward and tap your foot, then step back and tap your foot
Count 1, 2, 3, 4 in time with the music and then do the following:
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Step forward with your left foot.
Do the Electric Slide Step 5Bullet1 -
Bring your right foot behind your left and tap the toe against the left heel. Many make a kind of deep bow with their left knee and touch or reach towards the floor with their right hand. Others put your feet together (whatever you do, don't put your weight on your right foot).
Do the Electric Slide Step 5Bullet2 -
Step back with your right foot. Kind of like rocking back and forth twice.
Do the Electric Slide Step 5Bullet3 -
Tap your left foot in front of your right.
Do the Electric Slide Step 5Bullet4
Step 6. Take a step forward and turn left
Count 1, 2 in time with the music and then do as follows:
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Step forward with your left foot, but be prepared to turn left.
Do the Electric Slide Step 6Bullet1 -
Jump onto your left foot as you make a 90 ° left rotation (aka a quarter turn). Left means bringing the left shoulder back and moving the right shoulder forward. It is optional, but many also raise their (right) knee and / or clap their hands at this point.
Do the Electric Slide Step 6Bullet2
Step 7. Repeat the steps for the duration of the music
Remember that you, and hopefully the rest of the people, will be facing a different direction with each repetition.
Advice
- As mentioned in some points of the "Passages" section above, the Electric Slide allows you to give vent to creativity and your own style while remaining within the structure of the dance. Many people add moves such as lifting their knees, hips, kicking, clapping or snapping their fingers, particular gestures or poses, stretches, pirouettes and more in different places. However, it is good to remember that it is not about showing off. If you really want to add some of the moves just mentioned or add your own creations make sure you follow the movements of the group without crashing or knocking out the others.
- The most famous song for doing this dance is "Electric Boogie" by Marcia Griffiths, but it can be done on any 4/4 music that has enough rhythm and a tempo similar to "Electric Boogie".
- Many of the groups that dance the Electric Slide consist of a few people who know exactly what to do and many who, presumably, are dancing it for the first time. In this case it is better (if possible) to keep the beginners in the center and the more experienced ones outside. If there is at least one expert on each of the four sides, beginners will be able to observe it regardless of which direction the group is facing. Remember that it turns 90 ° after each set!
- The 18-step version described above refers to how it is generally done by amateurs at weddings, in line dances in country-western clubs and in general in all ballrooms. It also refers to how it is danced in the "Electric Boogie" video, by the actors of the movie "The Reserves", and in many other films, TV shows and videos in which this dance appears, amateurs or professionals. The 18-step sequence is a simplified version of the 22-step sequence simply called "The Electric": this choreography was created in 1976 by Ric Silver in Manhattan's Vamps Disco. It is rare to see someone doing the original dance, but for the curious it is enough to say that there are two big differences between the 22-step version and the one described above: one is that the dancers are arranged in two rows, facing each other, not aligned, so you can dance without colliding. The other is the repetition of the sequence "forward, beat, back, beat" before taking the step forward and turning to the left.
- The Electric Slide is more fun with a lot of people. It would take several rows to form a large square or rectangle depending on the size of the room.
- A smooth floor is recommended, wooden would be ideal. Better not to dance on a carpet: it can be done, but turning around is more difficult and it will end up ruining it.
