Breakdancing started as a culture of hip-hop among the African Americans young ones and was later on followed by the Latin Americans teenagers. Everything started and developed in the Bronx of New York during the 1970s. Some even say that during the late 60s, breakdancing was already taking off. This dance was eventually called breakdancing due to the breaks in the remixed music used for dancing. Breakdancing is not only limited to hip-hop music, but other genres of music can also be used. All the types of music used in breakdancing are remixed and sometimes rearranges so that some tempos and patterns are made to be more upbeat inorder to keep up with the routines.
There are many breakdancing terms you have to know if you are interested in breakdancing. From what you call the dancers to what the steps are called. Dancers call themselves as b-boys, b-girls or sometimes, breakers. There are also various names by which breakdancing is called by different people. Dancers of this style can sometimes call it breaking or b-boying.
There are many basic steps and terminologies in break dancing. The first step you should learn is called the toprock, this is a step that can be performed while in an upright standing position. These are the steps used to open breakdancing routines or breakdance battles. The toprock will show the style of the breaker.
The second step and term you need to familiarize yourself with the downrock. This can also be called floorwork . This is used to describe movement that is done on the floor using hands to support the body, just like what the feet do.
The third step and term is the power move. These are acrobatic moves that need some sort of thrust before performed. The dancers’ upper body is used to support the rest of the body when power moves are done. Some of the power moves are different steps used in gymnastics or martial arts.
The last of the basic terms are called freezes or suicides. These moves are quite advanced already, requiring the dancer to suspend his or herself in mid air, only being supported by the upper body. Freezes and suicides are used to emphasize the strong beats in the music. Suicides are usually used to signal the end of a routine and are done by losing control in the end.