Varying Levels in Freestyle Hip Hop

Hip-hop dancing is first and foremost about feeling. If you're feeling a song, people can tell. But no matter how hard you're feeling a beat, if you can't vary your moves, nobody will notice. Adding levels to your freestyle dance will help distance yourself from other dancers and add a layer of complexity that not only looks good, but also feels good.

1. Think about your dancing as being on three levels. Most beginners just think about their footwork, how their upper body relates and combining them to match the music. While this might be true, think about incorporating your moves at three levels: high, middle and low.
2. Begin high moves by standing up and incorporating your freestyle routine. This is the most natural position, and you will have a tendency to want to remain here. However, if you are incorporating levels, that won't last.
3. Drop down to the middle level. This means in some cases to crouch down and perform some moves and to improvise moves you would normally do standing in a lower position. In freestyle you can do whatever you like. However, to consider your moves middle level, do not take your feet off the floor.
4. Perform your low-level routine while taking your feet off the floor. Many people choose to add breaking moves at this point.
5. Mix all three levels in your routine. By taking your moves to different levels, you add a lot of variety to your freestyle dancing. Not only is this visually exciting, but it becomes a new way for you to express yourself on the dance floor.