As a choreographer I have many dancers as a part of my troupe and this gang has a very high rate of turnover too, as many dancers leave for better prospects and other projects, and many work on an assignment basis. Due to this many new and less experienced dancers too come in to fill the stage for big shows. When a new dancer comes into the troupe, he/she has to adjust to the seniors and at the same time try to fit into the group, which can be a difficult task. Apart from this mental stress there is another major stress: to remember the new routines and choreographies that the seniors know by heart.
One of the most important skills for a new dancer is being able to learn the steps of a dance routine and execute it well too. Not many people realize how much brain and memory ability is required in order to become a successful dancer. Not only must a dancer be able to execute several dance steps, he or she must also be able to remember the steps in a set order. The ability to learn dance routines quickly is usually a prerequisite for dance auditions. Directors and choreographers prefer dancers who are able to catch on fast. We choreographers call a dancer who picks up steps fast ‘an intelligent dancer.’ All my new dancers ask me how to remember the complex choreographies that I set up and I always give them the following tips. The tips that I have listed below will help you learn how to quickly memorise dance routines and do them well.
Know your steps
Every dance routine can be broken down into a series of familiar steps and combinations. Good dance instructors make an effort to instill core skills in introductory classes, urging students and dancers to learn both the step as well as the name of the step. The more familiar you are with the steps in the routine, the faster you will be able to combine them to memorise a routine. So learn the steps and their names well. It’s faster to put names together one after another and remember it well than to keep guessing what follows next. In case the step has no name and is a mix of different steps, the best method is to give it your own funny and fun-loving name. This will make you happier when you perform the same creatively named step.
Watch your dance instructor closely
Choreography is generally taught in series of step combinations. Watch your dance instructor closely as he or she demonstrates the steps. Good teachers will stand in front of the class and demonstrate each step slowly. If your instructor only teaches verbally without actually performing the steps, you may want to look for a new instructor or join a new dance group.
Wait until the teacher has completely finished demonstrating before trying the steps yourself. Some dancers follow right along with the instructor, mimicking the steps as they are demonstrated. If you fail to watch first, you risk missing part of the step. It’s better to watch first, then try. Always keep the memory of the teacher teaching you alive, as such glimpses of past lessons will help you remember them better when you perform.
Understand the music
Dance usually combines movements with music. When a choreographer creates a dance routine, the chosen music selection is vital to the success of the dance. A piece of music is often selected because it possesses certain beats and tempo changes. Listen closely to the music. Try to mentally associate certain steps with strong beats or lyrics of the song. Remember that step combinations are often repeated each time the chorus of a song is played. This will also help a dancer enjoy the movement to the music and enact it well too.
Practice
As with any new skill, practice makes perfect. Don’t be too hard on yourself if it seems to take you a little longer than others to learn the choreography of a dance routine. Your ability to learn routines quickly will improve over time, as your mind will grow accustomed to forming associations. Practice will bring about improvements in all areas of your dancing, which will make it easier to learn complicated step combinations.
The more comfortable you are with the steps, the easier it will be to link them together in your mind. So if not on the dance floor and you still want to practice, make a personal video or write down the choreography and keep going through it in your free time. This will help you practice even when you are not really doing it physically. I hope the tips will help you now have more fun with new choreographies rather than feeling stressed over new and complicated choreographies. Dance is an expression of joy and the journey to it should be fun and satisfying too.
