choreogaphing routines

[SalseraLaura]

*creating a new thread for this as requested*

i used to perform with a group, but we broke up and its been so long since i performed that i was thinking of choreographing something on my own and recruiting ppl that i think will be able to do it....what do you think?

my problem is not with finding ppl to do it as i already have a few ppl in mind that i know would be interested, the problem is were to start? theres so much that goes into a routine, can anyone give some good advice?

[luh]

1. find a song you like
2. _LISTEN_ that song
3. after listening it - you'll have ideas what to do in the routine
4. put the routine together

luh

[africana]

What kind of song is it?
I think most team choreographers section the songs into parts for couple patterns and parts for solos, and then put in dramatic moves for te dramatic hits/breaks in the song?

Haven't choreographed before, but first step is to get the song and know the song well, to get an idea what types of moves should go in each part.

For small amatuer production I would also watch lots of clippage/footage of other (outside) groups, get a pool of moves or patterns to customize...

Also would be nice to have a partner to try things out with as you come up with them

Also try social dancing to the song...with the partner
----------------
For me I'm interested in doing shines or solo choreography, probably for unusual songs or sounds like more afro-percussive numbers, or chachacha's....I don't have much time now to play with the ideas I have. But I'm gonna start with taping myself dancing to the songs of interest, as I make up moves

[SalseraLaura]

i need a song with a really good afro cuban feel, because thats how i move and i need music to compliment that, preferably with a good percussion break...any suggestions?

unfortunately i dont have a dance partner however i have news of someone who has just come back on the market...lol so im going to try to talk to him. the thought of doing a routine without partner work (a la frankie martinez) doesnt bother me though.

(edit changed my mind about that song)

[africana]

Yeah I lean toward routines without partner work myself :)

I'm pretty bad with song names but I would go for something that people don't hear much in the clubs...Do you have any Ray Baretto albums? his songs tend to have a nice rip of powerful descargas

A worry with doing percussive songs is whether the dancers can actually pull it off

[SalseraLaura]

im listening to some of his songs now to get ideas, i think ill perform this one myself along with maybe only 1 or 2 other ppl that i know i can trust completely with the footwork, the bigger the group the harder it is to get everyone in sync, also there can be a bigger gap in level between the dancers

[africana]

Sounds like a plan, at least to start out.
I don't buy much salsa music but I own Ray Barretto's "Salsa Caliente de Nu York!" album. It's got some good stuff!

[youngsta]

Honestly I think you either 1) have to have a theme in mind or 2) have to have a song you hear spark a theme in your head. I know I can't move forward until I have a theme and my music. Once I have that I constantly listen to the music to wrap my mind around all the intricacies. After that I'll break the music down into 8 counts and label it's different sections (intro, chorus, bridge, instrument solo, etc.). After that I'll try to match combos and shines to my sections. I'm completely new to this but my partner and I are going hardcore next year so I'm picking things up fast!

I think you REALLY need to love your music to put together a great performance! So I'd say to put a lot of effort into choosing it.

[Vince A]

Although you have the basic intent . . . there is so much more to it than that. In fact, way too much to put in print here, so I won't even attempt it!

That said, think about your music . . . not all music is in 8 counts! If you apply this 8 count thinking to Salsa, where does that leave your phrasing!

If Salsa is counted - just as an example - 1,2,3 1,2,3 - and you use 8 count music, breaking on ct1 . . . using the 1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3, - that's counts 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 . . where is your ct1? On Ct10 of the music, which is a break on ct2 or the even beats.

Do a little research on choreography and "phrasing." Believe me, your routine will look so much better if you phrase to the music!

[youngsta]

Although you have the basic intent . . . there is so much more to it than that. In fact, way too much to put in print here, so I won't even attempt it!

That said, think about your music . . . not all music is in 8 counts! If you apply this 8 count thinking to Salsa, where does that leave your phrasing!

If Salsa is counted - just as an example - 1,2,3 1,2,3 - and you use 8 count music, breaking on ct1 . . . using the 1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3, - that's counts 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 . . where is your ct1? On Ct10 of the music, which is a break on ct2 or the even beats.

Do a little research on choreography and "phrasing." Believe me, your routine will look so much better if you phrase to the music!

What are you talking about? If you're talking about my comment you don't have a clue what I meant.

[Vince A]

Although you have the basic intent . . . there is so much more to it than that. In fact, way too much to put in print here, so I won't even attempt it!

That said, think about your music . . . not all music is in 8 counts! If you apply this 8 count thinking to Salsa, where does that leave your phrasing!

If Salsa is counted - just as an example - 1,2,3 1,2,3 - and you use 8 count music, breaking on ct1 . . . using the 1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3, - that's counts 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 . . where is your ct1? On Ct10 of the music, which is a break on ct2 or the even beats.

Do a little research on choreography and "phrasing." Believe me, your routine will look so much better if you phrase to the music!

What are you talking about? If you're talking about my comment . . .
I'm not . . .

[Josh]

Do you have any Ray Baretto albums? his songs tend to have a nice rip of powerful descargas

Yes yes yes! :D

(a) Get "Indestructible".
(b) Insert into CD player.
(c) Try not to move. Bet you can't. :lol:

"Indestructible" and "El hijo de obalata" from that album are dynamite.

[africana]

Honestly I think you either 1) have to have a theme in mind or 2) have to have a song you hear spark a theme in your head. I know I can't move forward until I have a theme and my music. Once I have that I constantly listen to the music to wrap my mind around all the intricacies. After that I'll break the music down into 8 counts and label it's different sections (intro, chorus, bridge, instrument solo, etc.). After that I'll try to match combos and shines to my sections. I'm completely new to this but my partner and I are going hardcore next year so I'm picking things up fast!

I think you REALLY need to love your music to put together a great performance! So I'd say to put a lot of effort into choosing it. hey youngsta - keep us posted on how it goes, what you learned, etc, ok?

[youngsta]

For sure africana! :wink: San Fran congress is sooooo close I can taste it; save me a few!

[Big10]

That said, think about your music . . . not all music is in 8 counts! If you apply this 8 count thinking to Salsa, where does that leave your phrasing!

If Salsa is counted - just as an example - 1,2,3 1,2,3 - and you use 8 count music, breaking on ct1 . . . using the 1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3, - that's counts 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 . . where is your ct1? On Ct10 of the music, which is a break on ct2 or the even beats.
Huh? I don't understand that comment. :? I've danced in several Salsa performances and I don't remember using any Salsa music that couldn't be broken into 8-counts.

Counting the steps is different from counting the music. Even so, most people count the steps (for the basic) as "123-567" to coincide with the particular beats within the 8-count. (I did do one song choreographed by a guy who used "123-123" -- but I mentally switched it to "123-567" when I was trying to remember it :wink: ). More intricate choreography may use the 4, the 8, and even the half-beats for marking the steps....but it's still all about the musical 8-count.