Dances Tips and Tricks
Picking up choreography to embody the mood, rhythm, and character of a song requires practice. Whether you’re getting ready for the next recital or just looking to spice up your own social dancing, there are plenty of techniques that can help you pick up movements faster and improve your overall performance.
One of the most important tips for learning new dances is repetition. It’s not enough to simply practice your moves during class or after a lesson; in order for your brain to store them as long-term memories, you need to repeat the sequence regularly. Try starting out with a short dance phrase or small movement, and then adding to it every time you practice. This way, you’ll gradually build up your movement into a full-blown dance.
Another tip is to use touch as a memory tool. Your instructors are constantly using their hands to direct and give cues during classes, and these touches can be very helpful for remembering the moves when you’re on your own. Try touching the leg you keep forgetting to step with or tapping the shoulder that you need to turn toward — this simple act of reminding yourself can make all the difference.
It’s also useful to watch other dancers and take cues from them, but be careful not to copy their exact movements if you don’t have permission. Instead, look for the little things that they do to help them stay on track (like glancing at a fixed point in the room as they spin or a subtle hand signal) and learn those tricks for yourself.
