Who said making dance choreography was an easy job? Basically, choreographing a dance requires endless creativity, patience, and hard work! A choreographer will not be able to create perfect dance moves if he does not let the music inspire him. If you want to be a great choreographer, make sure you not only make quality moves, but also trust yourself and all the dancers involved in the performance; most importantly, have fun!
Step
Part 1 of 4: Looking for Inspiration
Step 1. Take some time to think about the concept of movement
Is there a particular message, nuance, or emotion that you would like to convey through the dance? Write down all the ideas that come up on a piece of paper or a phone app. Use these notes as your reference and inspiration in making choreography.
Look for inspiration from other dancers' performances. Take time to watch people dancing in the streets, YouTube videos, or other dance performances. Also watch videos of classical and modern musical performances to enrich your ideas
Step 2. Consider the location and concept of the show, as well as your potential audience
Make sure the choreography you create is relevant to your potential audience. Who will be watching the show later? What kind of dance would they like to see? As a choreographer, you also need to understand the location and concept of the show before choreographing. Will the dancers perform on stage or outdoors? Will your choreography be performed at a recital or in the middle of a school basketball show? The answers to all these questions are a guide for you in making choreography.
Step 3. Select the type of dance to be displayed
From all the choices that lie in front of your eyes, make sure you choose the type of dance that best suits your abilities and the character of your dancers. If you dare, you can also combine several types of dances in one dance choreography.
Choose a type of dance that is fun and comfortable for your dancers to dance to
Step 4. Select the appropriate song
Choosing a song for a dance performance is an important part of the choreography process. For example, you can choose classical music to accompany a ballet dance performance, or modern music with a faster rhythm to accompany a hip-hop dance performance. The song you choose should also be able to spur creativity, motivate you (or the dancers) to move, and grab the attention of the audience.
- Don't be afraid to choose a less common song. Sometimes, you have to take risks to put on a special and unforgettable show. Try listening to new songs or music by singers from different countries.
- Once you've chosen a song, try watching variations of the dance that go along with the song. Usually, you can easily access these kinds of videos on YouTube. Watch the choreography of other dancers to add inspiration to your dance choreography. But remember, never copy existing choreography if you want to perform an original dance!
Step 5. Determine the number of dancers needed
Do you want to put on a solo dance performance or a duet? Or is your dance choreography more suitable for a group of people to dance? Determine the number of dancers needed to convey the message implied in your choreography more accurately.
Be flexible! If your dancers are volunteers, chances are there won't be as many as you'd expect
Part 2 of 4: Immersing in Music and Understanding the Genre
Step 1. Listen to your selected song many times
Understanding the song thoroughly is an important part of the dance choreography process. Listen to the song over and over again, focus on different aspects, and try to get into the rhythm and harmonization. Let the music inspire your dance choreography!
- Listen to the song as you drive to and from work.
- Also listen to the song while you are exercising.
- Try to slow down the rhythm. Take advantage of other powerful apps or software to slow down the rhythm of the song you're listening to; doing so will make it easier for you to create dance moves in more detail. While listening to it, you may also need to slow down first.
Step 2. Understand each part of the song
After listening to the song many times, start analyzing it. Divide the song into sections; give a name for each part and understand the looping. Also analyze the nuance, emotion, energy, and rhythm contained in each part of the song.
Step 3. Understand the genre
Familiarize yourself with the selected song and dance genres. Before choreographing, make sure you know the basic rules of dancing (including the most basic moves in the simplest dances). Also make sure that all the moves you make do not only match the dance genre, but also match the rhythm and feel of the song. Use the tips below as a guide for creating dance choreography:
- Learn dance choreography of the same genre. Look for Youtube videos of hip-hop, tango, or other types of dance that suit your dance genre. You can even watch local dancers perform in your area.
- If you want to enrich your dance concept, you can even mix dance moves from different genres!
Part 3 of 4: Creating Movement
Step 1. Get moving
Try moving in different rhythms, steps, and patterns. Don't be afraid to experiment with your dance; in other words, try to combine different movements and rhythms to form different dance patterns. After that, try to include these movements in each part of the song that you have selected. In order not to forget the combination of movements that have been made, don't forget to record yourself while you are practicing and use the recording as a guide for the next exercise.
- If the movement you create feels appropriate and worth using, don't forget to give it an easy-to-remember name.
- Don't be afraid to try new, unique, or even unusual moves to dance to. That uniqueness is what makes your choreography even more special!
- Match the dance choreography to the song. Match the choreography you create with the characters and messages contained in the selected song.
Step 2. Create dance groups
Combine steps, movements, and rhythm into a dance troupe; Match the dance troupe to specific parts in the selected song. Interpret the music that accompanies the dance with appropriate movements and facial expressions; Also make sure that each dance group carries a complete and coherent theme or character.
Step 3. Create moves to connect each part in your choreography
After you've choreographed each piece separately, try making the transition moves. Remember, the moves you make should be able to connect each dance group in a subtle and natural way; in other words, don't make transitional moves that risk ruining the beauty of the dance. While transitions aren't the main focus of your choreography, make sure you don't make moves that are boring or monotonous either. Don't be afraid to be creative!
Step 4. Determine the props, costumes, and sound effects needed to make the show feel more colorful
Determine early on whether dancers need to use properties to perfect the choreography; also determine whether they need to wear certain costumes. For example, a skirt with a wide bottom is suitable for choreography that involves twisting movements. You can also use various sound effects such as shouting, snapping fingers, singing, or stomping on the floor to make the choreography appear more interesting; also make sure the use of these effects is consistent but not excessive.
Choose props and costumes that are not excessive and in accordance with the character of the dance. Remember, the props and costumes you choose should not distract the audience from watching your show
Step 5. Record the choreography you made in detail
Before practicing the moves, record all the choreography that has been made in detail in your own style. Also note any complicated movements that you seem to need to explain and demonstrate in more detail. Prepare everything as best you can.
Part 4 of 4: Practicing Moves, Doing Dirty Rehearsals, and Correcting Choreography
Step 1. Practice
Remember, effort will not betray the results. In other words, make sure you practice the choreography that has been made on a regular basis. Be patient during the training process and keep your positivity. Also make sure you are always flexible and open to change; don't be afraid to accept criticism and suggestions from others (including from your dancers).
- Practice the choreography at a slow tempo first. As the dancers get comfortable and used to it, gradually increase the tempo.
- Practice with enthusiasm! Thus, the movements shown will feel more natural in the actual performance.
- Make sure you and the dancers warm up before doing dirty rehearsals.
Step 2. Do the dirty rehearsal
Practice the dance choreography on a stage or other venue that will later host your performance. Determine how dancers enter – and leave – the stage, determine the dancer's position on the stage, and make changes if necessary. In this process, make sure you sit on the audience bench and watch them from a distance; Also make sure that no dancers are obstructed by the property or the layout of the building. Don't forget to record the course of the dirty rehearsal, OK!
Step 3. Improve your choreography
After watching the dirty rehearsal tape, revise your choreography. Perfect each part and its transitional movements, note the parts that need to be improved by the dancers, analyze the emotions conveyed by the dancers. Share your judgment with the dancers and make any necessary changes.
Don't make too many changes to the already made choreography. This habit can frustrate your dancers; As a result, their performance will not be optimal. Make sure you only make the changes that really matter
Tips
- To make it easier for you (or your colleagues) to remember the moves, try counting from 1-8 for each group of moves.
- Be creative. Customize dance moves to your character and personality.
- Don't just dance; tell the story through your dance!
- No one can dance perfectly in one day. Be patient and practice every day; surely over time, your appearance will be more perfect.
- If you're the one performing the dance, try asking other people for their opinion to enrich your idea of the move.
- Do not panic! Stay relaxed and move to the song; the most important part of producing quality dance is having fun!
- While dancing, feel the emotion of the song behind the dance.
- Remember, not all moves have to be complicated. Believe me, the dance choreography will actually feel even more beautiful if you insert a few simple movements in it.
- Don't force your dancers to dance the same way. Believe me, the flexibility of a dancer is one of the elements that make a dance move look attractive; let them express the moves you make in their own way.
- Don't force others to perform or perform dance moves that make them unsure or confident.
