The 1990s gifted us with iconic music and dance crazes, and among them was “The Humpty Dance,” brought to life by the legendary hip hop group Digital Underground. This fun and funky dance, popularized in their music video, quickly became a party staple and continues to bring smiles to faces on dance floors today. Don’t let the name fool you – the Humpty Dance, while playful, is a fantastic full-body workout disguised as pure fun!
Want to see the Humpty Dance in action? Check out this demonstration:
Ready to groove? Learn this iconic move step-by-step with a FREE tutorial on STEEZY Studio? Having a visual guide can make learning new dance steps a breeze! Click below to explore the class and get ready to master the Humpty Dance – no credit card required.
Learn the Humpty Dance with a visual tutorial from STEEZY Studio.
Prefer to learn by reading? No problem! Follow the simple steps below to break down the Humpty Dance and get moving.
Mastering the Humpty Dance: Your Step-by-Step Guide
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Find Your Beat and Bounce: Start by selecting a song with a clear, easy-to-follow rhythm. As the music plays, bend your knees and begin to bounce gently to the beat. Once you feel comfortable with the bounce, incorporate hip circles with each bounce. This sets the foundation for the Humpty Dance’s signature groove.
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Introducing the Leg Cross: Now, let’s add the footwork. Jump slightly and cross your right leg in front of your left leg, landing with your legs crossed on the “and” count just before beat “1”. Immediately jump again, returning your legs to the initial position, landing on beat “1”. Remember to maintain that bounce in your body as you land.
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“And 1” Rhythm: Practice the leg cross and jump sequence repeatedly, counting “and 1”. For the remaining counts – “2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8” – focus on maintaining your bounce and hip circles. This rhythmic pattern is key to the Humpty Dance.
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Adding the Arm Swings: Time to bring in the arms! After your jump and bounce, swing your arms back. The arm movements are flexible – you can swing them at any pace, tempo, or even alternate arms. The important part is to initiate the arm swing as you land your jump and begin bouncing on beat “2”. Experiment and find what feels natural to you.
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Putting It All Together: Practice the complete sequence – jump cross, jump, bounce, and arm swing – for several eight counts. This repetition will help you internalize the motion and make the Humpty Dance flow smoothly.
Congratulations! You’ve now learned the basic Humpty Dance. Feel free to explore variations, like traveling from side to side as you jump and cross, to add your personal flair. Refer back to the video tutorial for visual cues and inspiration.
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