Mastering the choreography for Taylor Swift's Just Dance routines can be both exhilarating and a fun way to dance to your favorite songs. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to nail every move when you're playing Taylor Swift’s tracks on Just Dance:
Understanding the Basics of Just Dance
Before diving into the specific moves, it's essential to understand how Just Dance works:
- Scoring: Points are earned by following the on-screen dancer’s movements with accuracy. Each song has different complexities in its choreography.
- Controls: Generally, you'll use one or two controllers, though you can also dance without any controller in some versions using camera tracking.
Move 1: Shake It Off
Dance Moves:
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Hip Swag: Mimic Taylor's signature hip movement. It's about moving your hips from left to right in a swift, energetic motion.
<p class="pro-note">💡 Pro Tip: Keep your upper body relaxed to allow for a more natural sway, which also helps in maintaining stamina.</p>
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Booty Bounce: Bounce your bottom while stepping back and forth, matching the rhythm of the song.
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Power Slide: Slide sideways across the screen, and then back to the center, keeping low to the ground.
Tutorial Steps:
- Start by watching the dance several times. Note how the moves sync with the beat.
- Practice the hip movements in isolation before integrating them with the rest of the routine.
- The slide can be tricky; try it first with slow-motion music to get the timing right.
Move 2: Blank Space
Dance Moves:
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Horse Trott: A simple step forward with a horse-like trot, raising your arms in an arc motion.
<p class="pro-note">🐎 Pro Tip: Visualize riding a horse to get the right rhythm and lift in your steps.</p>
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Bow & Arrow: Cup your hands as if holding a bow, draw an imaginary arrow back, and 'shoot' forward.
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Twirl: A full 360-degree twirl, ideally done in sync with the song’s lyrics for dramatic effect.
Tips:
- Work on getting the leg lift right for the horse trot. It should be a relaxed, rhythmic movement.
- The bow and arrow can be tricky timing-wise; listen for cues in the song.
- Maintain balance during the twirl; keeping your core engaged will help.
Move 3: We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
Dance Moves:
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Hand Claps: Clap your hands in rhythm, often in a circular motion or an 'x' shape.
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Finger Flick: Flick your fingers in front of you, syncing with the upbeat sections of the song.
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Side Step Stomp: Step side-to-side, adding a stomp at the end of each step for emphasis.
Tutorial Steps:
- Clapping in time can be challenging; try clapping to a metronome to get the rhythm down.
- The finger flick should be quick; practice the motion slowly before speeding up.
- For the stomp, try to land with emphasis to get the full effect.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Timing: One of the biggest mistakes is being off-beat. Practice dancing to a metronome or a beat-only version of the track.
- Overcomplicating Moves: Some moves look intricate but are often simpler than they appear. Simplify them in your practice.
- Lack of Energy: Just Dance routines require a lot of energy. Try to keep up your stamina by pacing your practice sessions.
<p class="pro-note">🌟 Pro Tip: Recording yourself and watching it can provide insights into your performance and highlight areas for improvement.</p>
Advanced Techniques for Higher Scores
- Mirroring: Practice the moves by mirroring the on-screen dancer, as this helps to understand the flow better.
- Gold Moves: Pay special attention to the signature or "gold" moves, which are crucial for high scores.
- Flow: Transition smoothly from one move to the next. This not only looks better but also conserves energy.
Wrapping Up
Dancing along to Taylor Swift’s hits in Just Dance is not just about the fun; it’s about mastering the dance moves to score high. We’ve covered three essential moves from her routines, giving you the tools to not only enjoy but excel at these tracks. As you practice, remember that patience and rhythm are key. Don't rush the learning process, and celebrate every improvement, no matter how small.
Encouraging everyone to explore our related tutorials on other artists, here’s another reminder:
<p class="pro-note">🧑🎓 Pro Tip: Keep exploring! Every artist’s Just Dance routine offers unique challenges and opportunities to learn new dance styles.</p>
<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How many points do I need to pass each song in Just Dance?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The passing score varies by song complexity and game difficulty. Generally, you need about 70% of the total possible points to pass on most difficulty levels.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I improve my score in Just Dance with Taylor Swift songs?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Absolutely. Focus on timing, nailing the gold moves, and maintaining stamina to get higher scores. Practice makes perfect!</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Do I need to dance exactly like the on-screen character?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>While it helps to mimic the on-screen dancer for accuracy, the game has some leeway. What matters most is that you're moving in time with the beat and in the right direction.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>