The Brush

• This is the most basic zydeco dance move. You must first master the Brush, also known as a rock step, before learning other more advanced moves. Zydeco music is based on an eight-beat rhythm. The Brush is named after the way your foot brushes against the floor. You start on one foot for two beats. Then switch to the other for one beat and then back to the first foot for the fourth beat. So if you start with your left foot it will go, left left right left right right left right. Then repeat.
  
  

More Advanced Moves

• Once you've got the Brush you can begin to add extra moves that add to the dance. One example is a knee lift that is added on the second and sixth beat. Just simply lift the knee opposite of the foot on the floor without kicking forward and lean back slightly while you do it. Another move is called the Shelton Broussard step. What you do is point your starting foot slightly away from you, so if it's your left foot point it to the left and vice versa. You put the other foot parallel to the starting foot on the 2nd beat. Then on the third beat slide your heels so both feet are pointing the other way. Then on the fourth beat slide them back the other way. After the fourth beat follow the last four beats of the Brush step.
  
  

Dancing With a Partner

• While dancing zydeco with a partner, the two people need to face and mirror each other. For example, if one person starts with his left foot, the other starts with the right. There are some exciting moves that can only be performed with a partner in this way. For instance you can "open the doors" as some call it. This is done when both partners hold hands and do the Brush stroke together. Then they take their starting foot and turn to that side and let go of hands on that side. So for beats 1, 2, 5 and 6 they appear to be standing next to each other, but do not let go of the other hand. Another move is called "alternating opens." This is where one dancer kind of moves the partner from one arm to the other, all the while doing the Brush step.