If you have music in your heart and your feet love to beat the beat, you might be interested in choreographing a hip hop routine! You could use your choreography to put on the best show at the talent show at your school, or maybe you can help out in a hip hop number at the music show at the theater where you volunteer. In any case, by imagining your dance, writing it down, and practicing it with your group of dancers, your hip hop routine will soon be choreographed.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Imagining Your Hip Hop Dance Routine
Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of hip hop
Hip hop is a style that first originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This new style was characterized by being an energetic, non-classical dance with progressive instrumental rhythms. You may want to search the internet for videos of hip hop movements that were popular in the past, such as the following:
- the popping dance
- the locking dance
- the dougie dance
- stanky leg dance
- the cupid shuffle dance
Step 2. Choose a song
You can choose a song from the current charts, or maybe you have something else in mind. The main characteristic of hip hop music includes great energy, ability to dance, its lyrical and the use of lyrics to the rhythm of rap. To achieve the best effect on your audience, you should look for these characteristics when trying to find the hip hop dance song for your routine.
Step 3. Listen to the music story
Find a quiet place where no one will disturb you. Then, on some kind of streaming music device, like your phone or a stereo, play the song. Clear your mind of everything and close your eyes while listening to your song. Do the following:
- Imagine natural movements that accompany the characteristics of the song.
- He manages to develop a deeper sense of the song.
- Visualize the story of the music you want to tell.
Step 4. Consider how you can express the story you hear in music
If the song is about overcoming obstacles, you may want to incorporate a gesture or combination of movements that gives the audience a sense of release. Use the way music makes you feel to brainstorm ideas for your hip hop routine.
Try to express the history of the music using choreography that is easy for your audience to perform. Even if the dance makes sense to you, if the audience doesn't see it, your routine will have little impact
Step 5. Think of the people moving to the music on stage
This can help you clarify the sense of natural movements that you are trying to achieve while listening to the music. At this point, you should also be aware of space limitations. Accurately measure the dance area or stage you will be using before designing your choreography.
Try to use all the available space you have to dance. Otherwise, your dance may seem lacking or incomplete
Step 6. Use natural movements as the basis for your routine
By using natural movements as the foundation for the rest of your routine, it will be easier to put its different parts together. Perform movements that you think will have the greatest effect on your audience, the focal point of your routine.
Part 2 of 3: Creating Your Hip Hop Routine
Step 1. Take a count of the song and your movements
Professional dancers often count songs in eight parts to help ensure that the dancers are all in sync and that the choreography is in sync with the music. Feel the rhythm naturally and count from one to eight throughout the song, noting the lyrics where the first count falls, the middle and the end.
Step 2. Divide your routine into main movements
After you've devised your routine and developed a sense of music, there are likely a few dominant moves that you feel should be incorporated into your hip hop routine. Use them as a focal point. Distribute these movements throughout your song in appropriate places, and then create transitions that work around your main movements.
- Use transitions between movements to build or release tension.
- Coordinate your main movements with your count so you know where in the song your dancers should perform specific movements.
Step 3. Remember to give your dancers a break
Dancing is a strenuous activity. It's much easier to sit down and write down ideas, but at some point your dancers will probably need a place in the routine to recover.
Insert pauses or slower parts of your routine between, before, or after high-energy parts of your choreography so your dancers don't get gasped
Step 4. Record your movements and counts
Now that you have a pretty complete picture of the story you are trying to tell through the emotions of your choreography, the main choreographic moves you want to achieve, and the transitions that tie it all together, you will need to write it all down.
Make sure to include the counts so that you can coordinate the practice of the choreography and the movements that are being practiced more easily
Part 3 of 3: Practice Your Hip Hop Dance Routine
Step 1. Wear comfortable clothing
Tight or tight clothing can limit your range of motion, making it difficult for you to use your entire body when you dance; plus it can rip when you practice. Make sure you have practice clothes that are adequately stretchy and comfortable.
Step 2. Do stretching exercises to warm up and prevent injury
Stretching has an added benefit for dancers as it improves flexibility. Many advanced dance moves, and perhaps even those in your choreographic routine, require some measure of flexibility, so make sure your dancers warm up before practice.
Step 3. Teach your dancers the main moves
If you have multiple groups that are going to do different things, teach each one individually to avoid confusion. Get your dancers started on an individual level; some will take longer to master certain movements.
Once a move has been mastered, lead your dancers to practice the move together to begin practicing timing
Step 4. Divide the dancers into groups to work on coordinated movement
Many routines require complicated movements from your dancers, sometimes in a fast pace, or even when performing a jump! To prevent your dancers from bumping their heads, make sure each one knows the positions to occupy on the floor, also known as didascalia or indication of movements on the stage, before combining the whole routine.
Step 5. Combine it all
Take a good look at the first few times your dancers go through the full routine. Try to identify the weak points, the areas that show your dance is unclear or inexpressive, and what it is that costs your dancers. Also note ways you could refine the process.
You should also do a dress rehearsal before the main event. Some clothes, no matter how perfect they may be for your routine, will not be perfect for dancing
Advice
- Many colleagues and community centers offer a basic level of hip hop dance classes or production classes where you can learn more about choreography.
- Keep a notebook handy to write down the movements that come to mind.