Thread: Dance Notation and Recording Techniques

Hi all,
I am hoping to get my hands on a video camera so I can record my rehearsals to the view of keeping a record of my choreography and also to review how the act looks and what needs changing.

However, I wondered, in the meantime, how people record their choreography if not using a video camera. I remember from A level performing arts (many moons ago) something about people using some kind of dance notation - does anyone use this? In the past I have just practiced it and tried to just remember it with no notes or other aids.

What do the rest of you do?

x
Emerald

WARNING

Warning: This is an Old Thread This discussion is older than 60 days. information contained in it may no longer be current

I haven't started performing yet but I try to practice whenever my ME isn't affecting me too much (it's good exercise and keeps the depression at bay). I make windows movie maker clips. I put in the music, some inspirational pictures and add notes at the correct place.

when i was teaching and choreographing for the dance school i attended a few years back i used to make notes of the steps i used (in my own shorthand type code words!!! so it made sense to me ) and in the margin i would keep note of the counts of the music...that way i would always know what step went where and at what count...xxx

I've just started on my first more dance-based routine and have adopted the method I used to use for my freestyle routines:

I draw little stick people and underneath the name I have given that move (eg: "wiggly leg"). It might look gibberish to someone else but it makes perfect sense to me and can be done really quickly.

If the song has lyrics, I record the word/ phrase that corresponds to each move above each stick figure. If it's instrumental, I'll use signpost sounds ("ping") in the same way.

Ah I had to learn that horrible Laban Notation when I was in sixth form! It would take me years to record a routine using that! And then another year to try to translate what i'd written down back into movement! Would be interested to find out if anyone else has found a use for it though.

I must have a good memory for routines as I don't seem to have to record mine in anyway, I just seem to remember it! Lucky me :-)

Crystal x