Tips for Learning Dance Routines

One of the most important skills for a new dancer is being able to learn the steps of a dance routine. Not many people realize how much brain and memory ability is required for becoming a successful dancer. Not only must a dancer be able to execute several dance steps, he or she must also be able to remember the steps in a set order. The ability to learn dance routines quickly is usually a prerequisite for dance auditions. Directors and choreographers prefer dancers who are able to catch on fast. The following tips will help you learn how to quickly memorize dance routines.

1. Know Your Steps

Every dance routine can be broken down into a series of familiar steps and combinations. Good dance instructors make an effort to instill core skills in introductory classes, urging students to learn both the step as well as the name of the step. If you are familiar with the steps in the routine, the faster you will be able to combine them together to memorize a routine.

• Basic Ballet Steps
• Pirouette
• Ballet Positions

2. Watch Your Dance Instructor Closely

Choreography is generally taught in series of step combinations. Watch your dance instructor closely as he or she demonstrates the steps. Good dance teachers will stand in front of the class and demonstrate each step slowly. (If your instructor only teaches verbally without actually performing the steps, you may want to look for a new instructor.)

Wait until the teacher has completely finished demonstrating before trying the steps yourself. Some dancers follow right along with the instructor, mimicking the steps as they are demonstrated. If you fail to watch first, you risk missing part of the step. It is better to watch first, then try.

• Success in Dance Class
• Quality Dance Instructors

3. Understand the Music

Dance usually combines movements with music. When a choreographer creates a dance routine, the chosen music selection is vital to the success of the dance. A piece of music is often selected because it possesses certain beats and tempo changes. Listen closely to the music. Try to mentally associate certain steps with strong beats or lyrics of the song. Remember that step combinations are often repeated each time the chorus of a song is played.

• Timing in Dance
• Find the Beat

4. Practice

As with any new skill, practice makes perfect. Don't be too hard on yourself if it seems to take you a little longer than others to learn the choreography of a dance routine. Your ability to learn routines quickly will improve over time, as your mind will grow accustomed to forming associations. Practice will bring about improvements in all areas of your dancing, which will make it easier to learn complicated step combinations. The more comfortable you are with the steps, the easier it will be to link them together in your mind.

• Improve Leaps
• Improve Turnout