Master the Moves: A Step-by-Step Guide to Dancing Gangnam Style

Remember 2012? The year the internet was set ablaze by a quirky Korean pop song and an even quirkier dance? Yes, we’re talking about Psy’s iconic “Gangnam Style.” This infectious hit wasn’t just a global phenomenon; it was a cultural movement, inspiring millions to try their hand at its signature dance. And guess what? You can too! This guide breaks down each move, providing detailed instructions so you can confidently rock the Gangnam Style, whether at a party, a karaoke night, or just for fun in your living room.

Why Learn Gangnam Style?

Before we dive into the steps, let’s quickly acknowledge why this dance remains so popular:

• It’s Fun and Energetic: The dance is inherently silly and full of energy, guaranteed to make you smile (and maybe sweat a little).
• It’s Iconic: It’s a recognizable dance worldwide. Busting out the Gangnam Style moves is always a conversation starter.
• It’s Relatively Simple: While it might look complex at first, the core moves are surprisingly easy to learn.
• It’s a Great Workout: All that jumping and horse-riding motion can actually get your heart rate up!
• It’s a Fantastic Mood Booster: The sheer absurdity of the dance is infectious. It’s impossible not to have a good time when doing it.

Breaking Down the Gangnam Style Dance: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Gangnam Style dance is characterized by a few key moves, repeated and varied throughout the song. We’ll go through each one, focusing on the most commonly performed versions. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t nail it right away. Watch the music video alongside these instructions for the most accurate learning experience. Let’s get started!

1. The Introduction (Initial Posture and Small Steps)

This is where you set the stage. The song begins with a slow, slightly comical build-up, and the dance reflects this.

Starting Position:

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Your posture should be relaxed but confident, with your shoulders back and your head held high.
• Keep your arms relaxed at your sides.
• A slight smirk or playful expression can add to the comical nature of this initial phase.

The Small Steps:

• As the music begins, start taking small, almost shuffling steps in place. These steps are not large; they are more like a light bouncing motion.
• Your weight should shift from one foot to the other as you step, creating a subtle sway.
• Imagine you’re warming up for a race, but a very silly and slightly awkward one.
• You’ll do this for the first several beats before the main dance moves begin. Maintain the slightly goofy expression as you do so.

2. The Horse-Riding Move (The Core Movement)

This is the most iconic move of the Gangnam Style dance – the simulated horse-riding action. This is the move that everyone recognizes, so getting it right is crucial.

The Basic Action:

• Imagine you are sitting on a horse.
• Raise your right arm, bent at the elbow, as if you are holding the reins of a horse.
• Your left arm should be bent and held at a similar angle in front of you, as if you’re also holding the reins or steadying yourself.
• Now, start a galloping motion. Lift your right knee up and forward, then bring it back down, followed by lifting your left knee and bringing it down. It’s a repetitive alternating knee-lift action.
• As you do this knee-lift action, your feet should hop slightly as if you’re “bouncing” on the horse.
• The key here is to feel the “bounciness” of the horse’s gallop. The upward movement should be a gentle lift, and you should not jump too high.
• Make sure your arms are moving slightly as well. When one knee is up, you pull the arm on the same side slightly inward. For example, when your right knee is up, you pull your right elbow slightly inwards.

Tips for Perfecting the Horse-Riding Move:

• Maintain the Correct Posture: Keep your back straight and your core engaged. This will help you maintain balance and prevent injury.
• Focus on the Rhythm: The horse-riding motion should sync perfectly with the beat of the music.
• Don’t Overdo the Arms: The arm movements are subtle, not large and flailing. Keep them controlled and bent.
• Practice the Bouncing: Try doing the horse-riding move without the hand movements first, focusing only on lifting your knees and the bounce. Once the bounce feels natural, add in the arms.
• Visualize a Horse: Actually visualizing yourself riding a horse can help you nail the move’s feel.

3. The “Hand-Swirling” Motion

This move is a variation of the horse-riding move that often occurs when the music changes slightly, and the speed picks up. It involves adding circular hand motions to the horse-riding base.

Performing the Hand Swirls:

• Maintain the horse-riding move with the bent arms and knee lifts.
• As you continue the knee lifts, begin rotating your fists in small circles.
• The circular motions should be towards the outside. Visualize that you are winding up an old fashioned wind-up toy.
• Keep the circles controlled and at a pace that matches the music.
• Remember to maintain the slightly goofy expression. This adds to the fun of the dance.

Tips for Hand-Swirling:

• Don’t Overextend the Circles: Keep the hand circles relatively small and tight. You want to avoid flailing your arms.
• Focus on Wrist Movement: The rotation should come mainly from your wrists, not from your entire arm.
• Keep it Consistent: The arm movement should be consistently at the same pace with the rhythm of the song.
• Smooth Transition: When switching to this version from the normal horse-riding, keep the transitions smooth and try not to stop.

4. The “Opening Doors” Move (Chest Pushing Action)

This move comes in at a point in the song where the energy escalates. It’s a dynamic action involving your chest and arms.

Performing the Opening Doors Move:

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Bend your elbows and place your hands at chest level, with your palms facing forward.
• Imagine you are pushing open two doors. In this action, you thrust your chest forward and your hands forward.
• As you do this pushing motion, alternate which side pushes first with the beat of the music. So, first, the right side will slightly thrust forward with the right hand, then the left side with the left hand.
• Each thrust should be short, with a bit of a snap at the end of the motion.
• Your body will slightly twist as you alternate the pushing motion.
• Keep your knees slightly bent and bounce slightly in place as you go, as if bouncing to the beat.

Tips for the “Opening Doors” Move:

• Engage Your Core: Keep your core tight to help maintain the rhythm and the “push” of the motion.
• Use Your Chest: The chest push is key to the movement, so use it to lead the motion, not just the arms.
• Controlled Movements: Avoid wild, uncontrolled pushes. Keep the movements crisp and concise, with a “snap” to the end.
• Mirror Psy: Watch the music video to see how he does this, paying close attention to the angles and speed of his arms.

5. The “Lasso” Action (Arm Swinging Movement)

This move often follows the “Opening Doors” or is interspersed with it. It’s a more free and fluid movement involving your arms.

Performing the Lasso:

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
• Extend one arm out to the side, slightly bent at the elbow, as if you’re holding a lasso. Your hand should be open.
• Swing your arm in a large circular motion, rotating it as if you’re actually using a lasso. You can try both forward and backward circles.
• As you do the circle motion, you are still gently bouncing to the beat with your knees.
• The other arm can either be held bent at your side or can mirror the lasso action as you alternate.

Tips for the Lasso Action:

• Use the Whole Arm: The movement should come from your shoulder, not just your wrist or elbow.
• Maintain Fluidity: The arm swing should be fluid and smooth, not jerky or abrupt.
• Watch for the Transition: See how Psy moves into this lasso action in the music video so you can get a better idea of timing.
• Alternate Hands: It is good to practice doing the lasso with both arms.

6. Transitions and Variations

The Gangnam Style dance isn’t just about individual moves. It’s also about how those moves are strung together and varied throughout the song. Psy will often change the speed, intensity, or the particular moves that are done as the music fluctuates.

Key Things to Note About Transitions:

• Listen to the Music: The music guides the dance. Pay close attention to the beat, changes in speed, and variations in the instrumental parts. These cues will indicate when to transition between moves.
• Smooth Transitions: Try to smoothly transition between moves rather than stop and start abruptly.
• Don’t be afraid to Improvise: Once you’ve mastered the basic steps, feel free to add your own personality to the dance. Experiment with different speeds, angles, or arm positions.
• Watch the Music Video: This is your best resource for understanding the transitions and variations. Pay attention to how Psy shifts from one move to the next.

Putting It All Together: Practicing the Dance

Learning the Gangnam Style dance takes practice. Here’s a suggested approach:

1. Start Slowly: Begin by mastering each move individually before trying to string them together.
2. Use the Music: Practice along with the song. Pay close attention to the beat and changes in tempo.
3. Mirror Psy: Watch the music video regularly and try to mirror Psy’s movements. This is the easiest way to visually ensure you are matching the intended motions.
4. Record Yourself: Film yourself dancing, then review it to see where you can improve.
5. Practice Regularly: Set aside some time each day to practice the dance. Consistency is key.
6. Have Fun: The most important thing is to enjoy the process. The Gangnam Style dance is meant to be fun and silly, so don’t take it too seriously.

Beyond the Basics: Adding Your Own Style

Once you’ve mastered the basics, feel free to add your own flair and personality to the dance. You can experiment with:

• Facial Expressions: Play around with different facial expressions to enhance the comical effect.
• Body Language: Add your own body language and unique flourishes to the dance.
• Speed Variations: Speed up or slow down your movements to match the music’s changing intensity.
• Group Variations: Try dancing in sync with friends to create a fun and dynamic performance.

Final Thoughts

The Gangnam Style dance is more than just a series of movements; it’s a cultural phenomenon that continues to bring joy to people around the world. By following this guide and putting in the practice, you’ll soon be dancing like a pro. Don’t be afraid to let loose, have fun, and embrace the silliness of it all. Now go forth and conquer the dance floor – Gangnam Style!

So, there you have it – a comprehensive guide to mastering the Gangnam Style dance. Get ready to impress your friends and unleash your inner Psy!