How to Jerk

The Jerk dance is a very popular dance movement that originated in the sixties. The song “the Jerk” accompanied the dance and was written by Don Julian. It was first recorded by Julian’s L.A. Music group and the song turned out to be quite successful. In that, it scored a top ten position on the charts. In 1966 another song – “cool Jerk” – was written and was performed by the Capitols band. This popularized the jerk on an even greater level. The dance may not be well known like other sixties dance but it is still a very popular and exciting dance.

Doing the jerk is so much fun as the whole body gets involved and the dancer loosens up and feels free to express himself performing numerous actions. If you do not know how to perform the jerk, read for full instructions on how to do it:

Step 1: First of all you need to stand in a position as if you are ready to fight. Place your feet apart and slightly bend your knees to begin the dance.

Step 2: Stretch your hands out towards the sides of your body like airplane wings at approximately your face level.

Step 3: Lean your body forward toward your partner or even if doing it alone. Next you must turn to your left. While you are turning, cross your hands in front of you at the wrists keeping them held up at the same level. As you bend your body forward, bob your head at the same time.

Step 4: Next straighten your body and spread out your arms again.

Step 5: Lean your body forward again toward your partner if you have one and this time turn to the centre. Cross your hands like you did the first time and remember to bob your head when you lean your body forward.

Step 6: Straighten your body and spread out your arms to the sides again.

Step 7: Lean your body forward again and turn to the right this time around. Cross your hands while turning the way you did in the previous steps and bob your head when you lean your body forward.

Step 8: Straighten our body again, assume the starting position and repeat the steps until you can do the dance without faltering.

Practice the steps in front of a mirror to check your progress. How do you know if you are doing the jerk correctly? You should look like a jerky monkey that is conducting a band. The dance was created from another dance (the monkey) and combined with sweeping arm motions to differentiate the jerk.
After you have mastered the art of jerk dance, put on some good sixties music, grab a partner if you may and jerk the night away.