Why do Dance Instructors start with 5, and count to 8?
They start with five because they are giving you a four count which is half of the 8, or what they call “four for free”. It gives you the tempo of the count, by giving you enough of the count to get the feel without it being too short, or too long and a waste of time. The count of 4 (starting with 5) also gives you a solid feel of the 8 counts and helps set it in your mind and body.
