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Choreographies6 minutes

A Bar Song Line Dance: Learn Ben Murphy's Steps

By Bernhard De LucaUpdated

In brief
  • Ben Murphy's A Bar Song is a beginner line dance with 32 counts and four walls.
  • You start to the original recording of Shaboozey's A Bar Song (Tipsy) after 16 counts.
  • Each round includes a quarter turn to the left, taking you to the next wall.
  • After the tenth round, add four counts with side steps and unweighted foot touches.

On the first run-through, it’s often not the tempo that’s difficult, but the free foot at the end of a figure. Once you understand its role, you can keep counting even after turning, without relying on the person in front of you.

What you need to practise

  • The original recording of A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey
  • Flat, comfortable shoes with good grip
  • Clear space for side, forward and backward steps
  • Four clearly identifiable directions in the room for orientation
  • Starting position with your weight on the left foot and your right foot free

The free foot connects the four eight-count blocks

This guide covers Ben Murphy's 2024 choreography for A Bar Song. The song title alone does not reliably identify a line dance: different step sequences can be danced to the same song. You don't need a partner hold or a leading or following role for this dance. Everyone moves in the same direction using the same sequence.

The key difference is between a step and a touch. With a step, your weight shifts onto the new foot. With a touch, your foot briefly touches the floor and stays free for the next movement. If you accidentally shift your weight onto the foot you touched, you'll have to add an extra step afterward and lose a count.

So start by practicing with audible counts and small steps. Keep your upper body upright and your knees relaxed. When crossing your feet, it's enough to place one foot just behind your standing leg. Crossing too far makes the next side step unnecessarily difficult. You don't need much space for the steps backward either.

For practicing on your own, a line dance online course with clear instruction can help, especially one with a rear view and spoken counts. If you'd like to dance the sequence with an established group later, the guide to joining a line dance course as a beginner can help you learn together.

A short break gives your mind a rest before you bring the steps and music together again.
A short break gives your mind a rest before you bring the steps and music together again.

The A Bar Song sequence, step by step

  1. Count the Musical Intro

    Start the original recording and count the intro in two groups of eight, 16 counts in total. Begin on the next one with your right foot, keeping your weight on your left while you wait, and make your movements smaller at first than you would without music.

  2. Step sideways to the right

    Counts 1 through 4: step right to the side, tap left beside it, step left to the side, tap right. Counts 5 through 8: step right to the side, cross left behind, step right to the side, tap left. Keep the final touch unweighted.

  3. Turn left to face the new wall

    Counts 9 to 12: step left to the side, tap right, step right to the side, tap left. Counts 13 to 16: step left to the side, cross right behind, step left forward with a quarter turn to the left, brush right forward along the floor without taking weight.

  4. Perform the K-Step in the new direction

    Counts 17 to 24: step right diagonally forward, touch left beside it; step left diagonally back, touch right beside it; step right diagonally back, touch left beside it; step left diagonally forward, touch right beside it. Stay facing the new wall and finish roughly where you started.

  5. Step forward and return backward

    Counts 25 to 28: right, left, right forward, kick left low to the front. Counts 29 to 32: left, right, left backward, tap right beside. After that, the right foot is free for the side step at the start of the next round.

  6. Practice the wall sequence without music

    Repeat the full sequence four times: start facing forward, then turn left, back, and right. After four quarter turns, you’ll be facing forward again; picture the directions as 12, 9, 6, and 3 o’clock.

  7. Insert the tag after round ten

    Dance to the music and count the completed rounds. After round ten, facing 6 o'clock, add: step right to the side, touch left, step left to the side, touch right. Then begin the eleventh round as usual with the right foot. There is no restart.

How to keep your feet and body under control

Like this

  • When crossing, pass your feet close together
  • Keep the kick low, using a relaxed knee
  • Make the quarter turn with your foot and body moving together
  • Let your arms swing loosely by your sides

Not like this

  • When crossing, swing your leg far behind your supporting leg
  • Throw your kicking leg up with your knee locked
  • Twist your upper body against a planted foot
  • Reach into the neighboring row with large arm movements

Your checklist for the first run-through with music

Before You Start

Preparation

After four practice rounds

Orientation

After the music run-through

Review

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Yes, you dance this choreography alone in a line or at home. There are no handholds or role changes. In a group, facing the same direction and keeping even spacing help, but you don't need anyone to guide you through the quarter turn.

Dance the next round together

On udansa, you can find people to practice A Bar Song with. Arrange a run-through with the latest counts before you dance to the recording without stopping.

Join for free
Dance the next round together

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