can't do it

trumike516 · **can't do it -** 03-23-2004, 03:47 PM

i keep tryin ta toprock, but i must be doin sumthni wrong. every time i look at myself in the mirror when im doin, i look funny. i keep readin all these guides, but i can't see any videos. i dont know why, but does anyone know if they can help me? thanks.

biggest_A · 03-23-2004, 07:19 PM

keep practicing. things dont happen overnight. remember this is a dance not a trick show, contrary to popular belief. so just start dancing and see what u think looks good and carry on from there.

EngynNumbr9 · 03-25-2004, 07:59 PM

Unless you have previous experience in dancing, you'll find it hard to develop... unless you have someone there to assist you.

I suggest you looking online for any clips - especially the ones that Electron has posted, remember to open the files in QUICKTIME... that's the only way they'll work.

However, if you can't find any online, go to a local DJ/Hip Hop shop and purchasing a vid and just watch, analyze, and practice. It's all patience, my friend. You must be able to learn from what you're doing now and improve upon it.

Engyn.

trumike516 · 03-26-2004, 03:44 PM

thanks a lot for the tips.

dancing_pidgeon · 03-31-2004, 12:54 AM

It comes with time. I got a clip of me posted in the forum (thread is called "here is my clip" or something) that you could look at. It's not all that good, but you can kinda get an idea. Also, there is more than one type of toprock. Check out Electron's indian step and replacement tops. Personally I think the replacement tops are tight.

EngynNumbr9 · 03-31-2004, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dancing_pidgeon
It comes with time. I got a clip of me posted in the forum (thread is called "here is my clip" or something) that you could look at. It's not all that good, but you can kinda get an idea. Also, there is more than one type of toprock. Check out Electron's indian step and replacement tops. Personally I think the replacement tops are tight.

Yeah, alot of the steps are implementations of older dance styles... like the charleston, as electron puts it. Jazzy type movement steps are big on toprocks... so check them out!

Engyn.

PS - Yeah those replacement steps are dope, huh? I never knew the name... but I've done them for years... LOL

Engyn.

electron · 04-06-2004, 12:24 PM

not only that, it's more than just putting your feet where you're supposed to ... dope style comes from practice, and also understanding where some of the movements came from

for example... the original bboys watched a lot of kung fu action flix and got a lot of their ideas from the fight scenes. Do the same- watch jackie chan, watch bruce lee videos and then copy their arm and hand movements... even rent some boxing films and watch the way that the boxers move... copy that

get some tension in your upper body when you dance and also in your arms if you feel like they're just flopping around. If you're entirely lost, try to remember that when the legs cross, you should have your arms open ( this isn't set in stone by any means but a good guideline to follow)

lean your body AWAY from your footwork to make doper angles, to make the movement look bigger without travelling all around the room like a top spinning out of motion

it takes a while to feel the jerk... to feel the flow
don't get impatient, just keep on going over what everybody has said and work at it

and maybe try using a different computer ( Library, friend's house ) to check out the clips

bboy_stitch · 04-06-2004, 08:56 PM

im just gonna put a lil mini guide on here:
stand with your feet together
hop forward onto your right foot but across your left(arms open)
hop back to center
hop forward onto your left foot but across your right(arms open)
then hop back to center
try lifting your back foot off the ground and skipping the center step to add to style. just bounce to the beat, its easy once u know the fundamentals.

PulchritudePunk · 04-30-2004, 06:48 PM

yeah its hard for me to do too. i know how to but i don't look right doin. i look stupid. i dunno what to do. ill keep praciticing though.

Ice_Ice_Bboy · 05-01-2004, 05:57 AM

u know sometimes u chillin, listenin to music and u like aint it great! let the beats of the music surround you, immerse yourself in the music and the beats of your body become one with that music.At this state your body will start movin, slightly bouncing involuntarily. Let the rythm be your heartbeat.

NOW, keeping that cool, start dancing, get up, exaggerate those movements, start feelin it reel deep, make every part of ure body feel every part of the music. ure like a human oscillope / spectrum analyser for the music. think what looks cool, start moving more emphasized, if u thrown out a move that doesnt fit, dont worry, just chuck it away. keep the good ones for later.

this is feeling the music, the perfect creative state for dancing. when u feel this, there is no way u wont be able to add style to your toprock. dont worry man, u just need that little extra bounce.

dont forget, bboying / dancing isnt just doing a few moves, its feeling it and wanting it too. Its an expression of your self.

peace.

PulchritudePunk · 05-01-2004, 02:15 PM

hey ya know what that worked! i turned on so music and just danced my butt off and i was doin it! im sure i looked stupid but i was doin it!:-D thanks

DJRemiasz · 05-09-2004, 02:35 AM

Check out the video that really helps.

ConceivedInHell · 05-09-2004, 08:27 AM

just dance...these is no darn secret!