Marianne,
Welcome to Dance Forum. I read your post, and I recall my secret desire when I first started dancing at 27 yrs old in 1949. I wanted to become a Choreographer also, but I never admitted it, because I wasn't sure I had the talent. Fortunately, I did the right moves; after teaching Ballroom dancing for two years, I dislocated my left elbow and put my Ballroom exhibition dancing on hold and began studying tap, ballet with a Russian and jazz with Luigi in 1952. Eventually, the mystery of the art of choreography cleared up and I discovered the Key to choreographing which I will share with you here and now in a simplified step by step formula:
1. Most music is written in phrases of two bar couplets; a total of eight quarter beats. Learn to count from the beginning of each musical phrase. The lyrics usually should begin and end with these eight count phrases. A song like , "Tea for Two" or "Sunny Side of the Street" are good songs to start creating a routine with. (choreographing)
2. All movements should be created in multiples of eight, preferable one weight change or body movement for each quarter beat. (As you become more experienced you can vary the rhythm within the phrases)
3. When combining movements, use the last two counts , i.e, 7,8 to make up a small transition step to end the first set or phrase of 8's: A phrase or a set of moves can be repeated two (16 Quarter beats) or three times (24 Quarter beats) before going into a transition step.
4. A three minute routine will require a dozen different phrases of 8's for variety.
5. Create an allegro movement for an opener, place a climatic move at about 2/3 into routine and end it with a flourishing movement, freezing on the last beat of music or create a walking off stage move to end the routine.
6. Keep the routines real simple until you feel confident, but don't wait another day to become a choreographer. You have the tools, I just gave you. Your Ballet and Jazz background gives you a head start over those without these dance techniques of ballet and Jazz. How good a choreographer you become depends on your imagination and ability to interpret the mood of the music you are working with. Don't wait another day. Go for it!
Black Sheep (
www.lindybylanza.com)
"P.S. Any guestions on dancing that need to be resolved, I'll try to answer, and if I don't have the answer, I'll make one up!"
All rights reserved (c) 5-6-03 by Joe Lanza aka Jaz-Lan Pub. Co.
Right now, I'm hoping to learn a Michael Jackson routine and hopefully do an impersonation later on (for fun and laughs).
