As a dancer, you need to be able to remember your choreography. It can be challenging to do this at first, but with practice you will get better and better at it. There are a few simple tips and tricks that you can use to improve your memory when it comes to dancing.
1. Make eye contact with your partner.
This might seem a bit silly at first, but it is actually really helpful for both leads and followers. When you make eye contact it signals to your partner that you are ready for them to start the figure. This helps reduce the amount of confusion that can occur when dancing and also makes it much easier to communicate with your partner while in motion.
2. Feel the Music and Count the Beats
Contra dances are written to fit the rhythm of the song. If you can, try to listen to the song without the cd so that you can feel the beat of it and hear the downbeats. It’s also a good idea to count the beats to yourself to help you stay on phrase as you move from one figure to the next.
3. Don’t be afraid to Fall Out of the Turns
Everyone, even seasoned professionals, will occasionally space out during a dance and miss the next figure or do something else completely unintentional. If this happens to you or someone close to you, be sure to offer (or accept) gentle and cheerful help getting back on track. Never yank, shove, or bark at a confused dancer, though; it will only cause more trouble and create tension between you and your partner.
