Trying to do a choreography is not an easy thing, it demands time, to create the movements that represent the feeling to be reflected in each presentation. Determining the rhythm and theme of an inspirational song requires imagination and work.

So what would be the steps to create one?

If we wanted to start at the beginning, it would be best to consider what a dance choreography is and how to do it.

In this new article we will explain a little more in depth.

What is a choreography?

Choreography is translated as dance writing, it is a term that comes from the Greek, it is also given the name of composition and it is the art of combining figures or successive body movements previously organized, in a perfectly conceived order.

To make a choreography, a planigraphy is used and the whole process will flow there from a series of annotation systems that will allow the movements, steps and positions of the choreography to be annotated and defined on paper.

It is not only used in dance, but also choreography hosts scenarios in rhythmic gymnastics, other art forms and others.

students practicing choreography

Planning: How to do a dance choreography?

For the creation of a choreography, it must be taken into account that the same common thread must always be followed from the beginning to the end. However, fundamental aspects for its planning must be: the choice of the type of choreography, whether group or solo, respecting the sequence, the balance between difficult and simple movements, maintaining aesthetics throughout the composition and the use of sports technique in figures.

Therefore, first of all, an adequate selection of music and genre must be made.

Steps to create a choreography

  • Study the chosen music and do not get involved in starting at the beginning
  • Tell the musical story through your movements.
  • Consider the audience and setting
  • Practice without music, use imaginative movements.
  • Choose other dance styles, merge between rhythms and techniques.
  • Define what are the most important components of the choreography and continue creating.

Choose a music style

There are different musical styles as possible sensory emotions, so valuing the wealth offered by each of them will make this choice easier. It is common to see groups in dance, whose foundation is to preserve different styles, to dance them.

Ballet or folk dances from different regions of the world such as Mambo, for example, maintain the same rhythmic base or basic steps that are mandatory to include when performing any dance choreography.

Although keeping in mind that leaving your comfort zone and trying something new is an interesting challenge, the fusion of musical genres, with elements of contemporary dance, in that sense, would not be a bad idea.

Choose the song

The lyrics of the song you choose can serve as inspiration, you will discover the emotion that the artist has put into composing the song.

He begins to study it in order to be completely sure that it is the appropriate song to group and shape each element of the dance. Define strong or weak beats, determine rhythm changes, when and how often they occur.

An alternative would be to select a small number of song proposals from one or more dancers, and then determine the best option.

Analyze and immerse yourself in the song

When writing music, each note written on the stave carries its quota of inspiration and in dance it happens in the same way because each movement is an expression of one’s own inspiration. The manifestation of music through dance has been a notorious practice in the world of art and in the evolution of man.

Therefore, the planning of a composition is not conceived if before, the choreographer or dancer performs a deep analysis of the song.

Improvise and define dance moves

Going beyond simply creating movements based on the rhythm of the song is a coveted achievement. Although the choreography largely determines the guarantee of success of a dance, improvisation will highlight and overvalue the quality of this artistic product.

Well, improvisation is typical of talent and it happens empirically, it will never be the same way. This means that even if the choreography is well planned, has a good selection of song and musical genre, it can still be improvised if the context requires it and thus becomes more authentic.