When choreographing a song, do you have to choreograph EVERY beat in the song?

Yes, because if you don't then the dancers can't keep count of what's going on and lose timing. So when setting it up everything has to have its place. A pause or transition breakout is acceptable but it still has to be counted in.

Hi again, sarah13020!

I agree with califdadof3 and would just like to add that, choreography is very much the same as music. Rests and pauses are equally a part of the music as much as sound is.

For music, we play rests with silence. For choreography, no movement or a freeze of movement in a part of a piece or song is very much like playing or singing a rest with silence.

How boring and uninteresting music and choreography would be without there being a break in movement, silence and pauses!

Thanks!

I quit dancing about 2 years ago now but I started at 2 and a half.

I have had a few different teachers in my time and a few different ways of teaching. But they all were the same in using every beat.

Whether it would be hold a position for a count of 8 or in ballet extend an arm for 4 counts. Every count has a meaning and effect.

So yes use all your beats otherwise it would be quite boring to watch what looks like a half done dance.