routine....where do I start?

Crystal glaze started this discussion · 4/4/2014

So I started back pole dancing in December at Alethia Austins studio in Nashville and every 8 weeks we are suppose to choreograph a song. This will be my first one and I am really nervous and unsure of where to start. I have found my song "Lies" by Trifonic. I want to go for something slow so I can work on my fluidity and transitions. I feel like anything fast will leave me winded and exhausted until I get more endurance. what is the best way to start?? Ive never taken dance of any kind so the only choreographing I have ever done is 5h grade to backstreet boys at daycare, so im kinda lost.

4 replies

chemgoddess1 · 4/4/2014
Lots of really good information here: https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/4f6bef47-fac4-4b2d-986c-23a40ac37250 You have the hardest part already done which is picking your song. I personally break the song down into sections and typically will want a specific "look" at a certain part of the song. I will just freestyle trying to hit those certain moves at certain points and see what comes of it. I am not one to do counts but I know there are many that do. I study the hell out of the music and know all of my keys so even if I mess up (pretty much always happens) I can freestyle and still not blow all of my choreography. Another thing to remember is to not try to throw new moves into your routine. The moves you do should not have to take too much concentration because nerves will take over. And, um jealous that you have TCB as your home studio!
michaelaarghh · 4/5/2014
I'm also planning a routine at the moment! I've done it twice before, but I still find it pretty hard. I usually start by choosing a song (yay you've done that too!) and then I make a list of moves I would like to put in it. Depending on how far away the performance is I'll include moves that I've almost got down but still need work. Then I work out basic combos for a couple of the moves. For example, invert -> V -> Crucifix -> handstand. Then I usually print the lyrics of the music off and like chemgoddess said, look at certain points of the song and know what I want out of the performance. So, for example if the chorus is really fast I might do some spinny stuff there, so I work in the combos around the tempo of the song. I studied music, but I don't know much about it and I don't dance to counts either, I literally just go off what 'sounds / feels right'. Then I just practice the combos with the different parts of the song, maybe freestyle bits and work out what feels best. Then practice, practice, practice!! Like chemmy said, you want to include moves that are second nature to you. If I have a couple of months before the performance i will try to include harder moves because I have time to work on them, but otherwise only stick with what you know you can do without thinking.
Veena · 4/6/2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhW5OcZoMRM&list=PLyXWQXP3dueofybLatPPuLCbvfSPF2oSF
leyrose · 4/7/2014
I've just finished my first ever routine so I feel like I'm in the same boat! I started off by listening to my song over and over so I knew all the words, beats, highs and low points. Then I thought of combos I wanted to put in and where. For example, I knew I wanted to end the routine in a janeiro so I worked out a combo to go before that which fit with the words of the song. Don't forget to put in floor work and points where you can have a bit of a 'break' and catch your breath. My first go at choreographing to this song was terrible... I put in every single hard combo I could do then realized I couldn't do them all together without being so tired and messy! I then brought it back down and worked at being emotional with floor work and then limiting combos