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sarah13020 · May 16, 2010, 12:46 PM

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

cdad · May 16, 2010, 01:17 PM

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.

Clough · May 16, 2010, 09:43 PM

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!

aimee_tt · May 16, 2010, 10:18 PM

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.