Learn the Steve Martin Step
Learn and practice the Steve Martin Step: a simple comedic dance routine broken into steps, focusing on timing, coordination, and playful expression.
Step-by-step guide to the Steve Martin Step
Step 1
Put on comfortable clothes.
Step 2
Put on comfortable shoes.
Step 3
Clear a safe open space about arm's length in all directions.
Step 4
Stand facing the mirror with feet hip-width apart and arms relaxed.
Step 5
Tap your right foot on the steady four-beat for eight counts to feel the rhythm.
Step 6
Tap your left foot on the steady four-beat for eight counts to match the rhythm.
Step 7
Step your right foot to the right on count 1.
Step 8
Bring your left foot to meet the right on count 2.
Step 9
Stomp your right foot forward on count 3 while making a silly face.
Step 10
Snap your fingers once on count 4 and hold the small pose for one beat.
Step 11
Repeat Steps 7 to 10 starting with your left foot to do the left-side sequence.
Step 12
Combine the right-side and left-side sequences slowly and do them two times while watching yourself in the mirror.
Step 13
Play slow upbeat music and practice the full routine three times with big expressions.
Step 14
Turn the music to normal tempo and perform the full Steve Martin Step two times with playful energy.
Step 15
Share your finished Steve Martin Step performance on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use instead of a full-length mirror if I don't have one for Step 4 and watching myself in Steps 12–13?
If you don't have a mirror, prop a smartphone or tablet upright, use a laptop camera, or practice facing a clear window reflection so you can watch your expressions during Step 4 and when combining sequences in Steps 12–13.
I'm losing the beat when doing the right- and left-foot taps in Steps 5–6 and when combining sequences in Step 12—what should I do?
If you lose the steady four-beat during Steps 5–6 or Step 12, clap or count the beats out loud, practice with the slow upbeat music from Step 13, and mark your step positions on the floor to align taps, steps, stomps, and the snap in Step 10.
How can I adapt the routine for different ages so it's safe and fun for toddlers up to tweens?
For ages 3–5, do only the right-side Steps 7–10 with gentle taps and big faces in socks; for 6–9 follow Steps 5–13 at slow tempo; and for 10+ add a small turn or extra arm flourish on the snap in Step 10 before increasing to normal tempo in Step 15.
How can we personalize or level up the Steve Martin Step before sharing it on DIY.org in Step 16?
Personalize your routine by choosing a silly costume for Step 9, inventing a signature snap-and-pose in Step 10, recording your three slow practice runs from Step 13 to edit into a polished clip, and then upload the final playful performance from Step 15 to DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to do the Steve Martin Step
HIP HOP DANCE TUTORIAL - STEVE MARTIN STEP | RAJU MJ | D_VISION STUDIO | DAY 9/100 #Shorts
3 Videos
HIP HOP DANCE TUTORIAL - STEVE MARTIN STEP | RAJU MJ | D_VISION STUDIO | DAY 9/100 #Shorts
Steve Martin's Magic Trick | Parenthood
How to Do the Steve Martin | Hip-Hop Dancing
Facts about dance for kids
⏱️ Great comedic dances depend on precise timing and well-placed pauses so the jokes land perfectly with each step.
😂 Physical comedy tools like exaggerated gestures, faces, and pratfalls help dancers show playful expression without words.
🎭 Steve Martin got his start as a stand-up comedian and became famous for absurd, physical humor that pairs well with silly dance moves.
🪕 Steve Martin is also an accomplished banjo player and has won multiple Grammy Awards for his music.
🕺 Tap dance uses metal plates called "taps" on the shoes to turn steps into rhythmic percussion — like making music with your feet!
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