What is Choreography?

Choreography is about making dance routines. It means creating dance using different moves and sets of movements.Pop videos use choreographed routines set to music so that the dance relates to the song and makes it more interesting to watch.

Theatre shows use choreography in musicals for separate dances and to tell whole stories.Your choreography can be based on a storyline or it can used to describe a specific scene or part of a scene.

Music videos use choreographed routines set to music.These can be jazz, hip hop and breakdance styles or just something creative that fits in with the musical theme.

Cheerleading squads use choreography with cheerleading stunts, acrobatics and chants. There are even cheerleading competitions the squads compete at to have the best and most original routines.

Fitness classes use choreography in their workouts. Bringing together different aerobic, cardio and step moves and putting them to music is choreography.

Even fashion shows use choreography to co ordinate the models on the catwalk so they look good and in time with the music. The way they walk, where they stop and how they enter and go off the stage are all important to make a good fashion show.

Everyone has different ideas about what choreography is.There is even written choreography that is used that looks a bit like musical notes which you can learn.

Doing Your Own Choreography

If you want to do your own choreography it is easy to start by trying a few different ideas.You could create some movements based on a theme.For example use themes like sadness, happiness, love, death and hatred. Or maybe you could do some choreographed movements based on the elements like air, water, fire and earth.Or you could copy the movements of birds, animals, trees or do a dance to the sun or moon.

And you could make a dance which tells a story.Make up a short story and set the dance to it.Make 4 different dances and then put them together or just one 10 minute dance telling a story.Or you could try writing your own short musical in one act.Choose some songs you like, make up 2 scenes and some routines.

Whatever style of dance you do include some of their popular steps and moves.Group them together in 4, 8 or 16 counts and repeat some of the movements throughout the dance.Maybe you’ll have 1 set of moves which shows a feeling, rhythm or flowing movement.If you want to return to this in the storyline you can use the same set of moves.Or you could use a group of moves to move into the next set and use these again to help with the flow of the dance.

Get other dancers to perform your choreography and see what it looks like.Record your own practice sessions if you are on your own.That way you can see how your routine or dance looks like to others and can change any mistakes. 

Watch some free videos of choreography online

Dance Routines and Choreography

Check out some of these clips in jazz and show styles

Music Videos 1
Check out some of these music videos and the jazz, hip hop, pop and breakdancing styles.

Tips on creating your own choreography
 
Watch as much choreography as you can
If you want to do routines for pop, r'n'b, hip hop and dance videos then watch as many music videos and famous artists as you can. See what style they're doing; find out the moves of now; watch what kind of routines they do for the songs they're performing.
 
Pick your favorite song and start creating your own routine. Use the moves you've watched on TV. Pick a theme and keep to the storyline of the song. Try the first verse of the song and then the chorus. You can repeat these for the whole song and maybe add some changes to be more creative. Try just the first 16 counts and then use these in the dance routine again.
 
If you want to do some musical style choreography, watch as many of your favorite musicals as you can. See how the dances look for each song or scene. Then make up your own scene telling a story. Find a song which fits with it and create a choreographed routine with characters.
 
If you like cheerleading watch as many popular cheerleader squads performing and cheerleading competitions. Use popular rhythmic chants, stunts, acrobatic moves and dance steps and put them together to make a funky and energetic routine.
 
Do something easy to begin with. Pick moves and steps you know and even copy some counts from your favorite video or show. Use the whole stage and think about spacing, what the audience sees and what the whole dance looks like to the viewer. 
 


Learn to Salsa Dance Video Series, Vol 1: Salsa Dancing Guide for BeginnersTry out some salsa moves and learn to salsa dance.

Broadway Dance Center - be the music in Hip Hop with Jared GrimesLearn 3 hip hip routines from top choreographer Jared Grimes

Broadway Dance Center - Contemporary Jazz with Brice Mousset
 
 
 
Find out more about Contemporary Jazz Dance from Brice Mousset
Dance With Me-Jazz Workout
 
 
 
Try this Jazz Dance workout from Stephane Herman and learn some popular jazz moves and techniques

 

Pineapple Studios - Dance Masterclass - Street Jazz 2002 DVD STREET JAZZ

Pineapple Studios
Street Jazz DVD - Top choreographer Nicky Bentley uses her own style of Street Jazz, including members of Blue, S Club 7 and Liberty X. Warm-up session Instruction and three complete routines. Starring STREET JAZZ  
 
Darrin's Dance Grooves 2 DVD Darrin Henson 
 
 
Darrin's Dance Grooves 2 DVD Darrin Henson

Darrin's Dance Grooves 2 Darrin demonstrates how to be creative in hip hop dance routines. Features 5 new routines and bonus material. starring Darrin Henson

An Evening with Alvin Ailey American Dance TheaterThe Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - An Evening In 4 parts: divining; revelations; the stack-up; cry in the american dance theatre.

Dance Theatre Of Harlem 1989 DVD Markus Lethinen

 

Dance Theatre Of Harlem 1989 DVD - Jazz company of black dancers performing Starring Markus Lethinen David Lamarche