Bastet Belly Dance

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Creating a dance

When you have been learning to dance for a while, you may feel the time has come to begin to create your own dance. Many would-be choreographers are put off by imagining that what they create will not be 'good enough'.

There are so many different styles and dancers who interpret them in their own way that I don't believe there is a right or wrong way to create a dance if you take into consideration several important points as laid out in this article.

Although there are of course professional choreographers in the field of Middle Eastern Dance, many of them do not want to share their creations unless paid or acknowledged, so most teachers, dancers and eventually students therefore start to invent their own. I also feel that it enhances your ability and understanding as a dancer if you engage in the creative process of inventing your own piece.

Several important questions to ask your self:

Who or what will this be created/performed for?
Where will the dance be performed?
Who will be performing it?

Creating a dance is a bit like a recipe- you put together several ingredients, let it simmer, and get a result! All the points below are important, but don't forget to come back to questions 1) 2) and 3) above.

Find a piece of music that inspires you- this is really important as it will help keep you going and give you lots of ideas.

Once you have chosen your music you now need to listen to and interpret: lyrics, pace, rhythm, tempo, and mood- does it make you feel wistful or flirty?

When you have decided on the theme or mood, what kind of moves will convey this message to your audience? Decide if you will be using any props- is this a veil, zils, sword or stick dance?

Find a starting point or a part that inspires you especially- is there a dramatic beginning, or end, or a section of music that stands out? It's very important to have a clear start and end.

Try simply improvising to the music to see what moves come to you, and write them down in no particular order. Alternatively, try sequences or motifs you already know to the music, and be prepared to alter and adapt them to fit.

If this dance is for a group or pairs you need to have a clear idea of how you will move dancers around in relation to each other. Bearing in mind questions 1), 2) and 3), consider:

the space/stage area (and the ceiling height for stick/sword/veil dances)
should the dance be for audience seated straight ahead, or will they be on three sides, for example

Methods of Creating a Dance

There are different methods of creating your own dance:

You can copy or take sections from an existing dance- but if this is not your own you will need to ask permission from the creator (very unethical to plagiarise!).If you have attended a workshop and learned a choreography, again ask permission before beginning to use any part of it.
You can create your own 'motifs'. These are short sections or sequences of moves which can be joined together with travelling steps or linking moves.
Improvise to the music and write down any moves that come to you, noting if any fit to specific parts of the music.
Watch videos and dance performances, learn other forms of dance and allow your self to be inspired by them.
Work with another dancer, or show your ideas to your teacher or a dancer whose work you respect.
A combination of several of the above methods!

Each choreographer will have their own preferred way of creating a dance, so there are no rules about this. You will, however, need to listen to the music lots and get to know it extremely well- so you are aware of all its changes and nuances. Put it on even when you are doing something else around the house! Start to put your ideas down on paper, as they come to you, in preparation. You then need to set aside some time for concentrated work on it. Start at the beginning! Think about how you will start, and try out the moves, imagining your audience.

Look at each move and then try out the next one in relation to it, and try more than one option. Don't be afraid to change direction, or even turn your back on your audience briefly.

As you progress through the music, you might like to notate where given moves appear in relation to the timing of the piece - eg. 2.25- Hip drop x 2. This will also mean you don't have to play all the way through the piece every time you need to get to a particular place!

If your music repeats sections/choruses, consider repeating the moves you have created for it already, or even repeating larger sections. This will make it easier to remember and allow the audience to really appreciate the design over and over again! Don't create a dance that is a list of single moves- it will be impossible to learn!

Listen for little 'hooks' where you can create memorable moves, which will help you or the dancers to realise where you are within the piece.

Every choreographer seems to have their own way of annotating dances. Most people use words as descriptions, with some abbreviations/own shorthand, and I have seen a dance depicted in stick ladies with brief directions underneath.

Creating a dance can be trying and repetitive- if you feel you're getting fed up or tired, just take a break and come back to it later. If your classes are in a studio with mirrors, try bits of it out there to see what it looks like, and even maybe show it as a 'work in progress' to your teacher or a friend, for useful pointers and help.

Finally, finish it off with a clear ending. If the music ends crisply with a recognisable flourish, a dramatic pose making eye contact with your audience will always work, as they need to know when to clap! If the music fades out, you might either like to slow down into slow motion and stop in a pose, or float off the stage. If you go off stage, remember you may want to come back on for your well deserved applause!

Once you have finished your dance, do a dress rehearsal- perform it in costume in front of someone else to get feedback. Now you are ready to perform!

Creating your own dance is hard work but rewarding and you will probably drive everyone mad after hearing the music too often! However, there is something very special and satisfying about seeing your dance performed by others, or performing it your self.


Home History Costume News How to... Links	Arielle Miramar
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Creating a dance
When you have been learning to dance for a while, you may feel the time has come to begin to create your own dance. Many would-be choreographers are put off by imagining that what they create will not be 'good enough'. There are so many different styles and dancers who interpret them in their own way that I don't believe there is a right or wrong way to create a dance if you take into consideration several important points as laid out in this article. Although there are of course professional choreographers in the field of Middle Eastern Dance, many of them do not want to share their creations unless paid or acknowledged, so most teachers, dancers and eventually students therefore start to invent their own. I also feel that it enhances your ability and understanding as a dancer if you engage in the creative process of inventing your own piece. Several important questions to ask your self: Who or what will this be created/performed for? Where will the dance be performed? Who will be performing it? Creating a dance is a bit like a recipe- you put together several ingredients, let it simmer, and get a result! All the points below are important, but don't forget to come back to questions 1) 2) and 3) above. Find a piece of music that inspires you- this is really important as it will help keep you going and give you lots of ideas. Once you have chosen your music you now need to listen to and interpret: lyrics, pace, rhythm, tempo, and mood- does it make you feel wistful or flirty? When you have decided on the theme or mood, what kind of moves will convey this message to your audience? Decide if you will be using any props- is this a veil, zils, sword or stick dance? Find a starting point or a part that inspires you especially- is there a dramatic beginning, or end, or a section of music that stands out? It's very important to have a clear start and end. Try simply improvising to the music to see what moves come to you, and write them down in no particular order. Alternatively, try sequences or motifs you already know to the music, and be prepared to alter and adapt them to fit. If this dance is for a group or pairs you need to have a clear idea of how you will move dancers around in relation to each other. Bearing in mind questions 1), 2) and 3), consider: the space/stage area (and the ceiling height for stick/sword/veil dances) should the dance be for audience seated straight ahead, or will they be on three sides, for example Methods of Creating a Dance There are different methods of creating your own dance: You can copy or take sections from an existing dance- but if this is not your own you will need to ask permission from the creator (very unethical to plagiarise!).If you have attended a workshop and learned a choreography, again ask permission before beginning to use any part of it. You can create your own 'motifs'. These are short sections or sequences of moves which can be joined together with travelling steps or linking moves. Improvise to the music and write down any moves that come to you, noting if any fit to specific parts of the music. Watch videos and dance performances, learn other forms of dance and allow your self to be inspired by them. Work with another dancer, or show your ideas to your teacher or a dancer whose work you respect. A combination of several of the above methods! Each choreographer will have their own preferred way of creating a dance, so there are no rules about this. You will, however, need to listen to the music lots and get to know it extremely well- so you are aware of all its changes and nuances. Put it on even when you are doing something else around the house! Start to put your ideas down on paper, as they come to you, in preparation. You then need to set aside some time for concentrated work on it. Start at the beginning! Think about how you will start, and try out the moves, imagining your audience. Look at each move and then try out the next one in relation to it, and try more than one option. Don't be afraid to change direction, or even turn your back on your audience briefly. As you progress through the music, you might like to notate where given moves appear in relation to the timing of the piece - eg. 2.25- Hip drop x 2. This will also mean you don't have to play all the way through the piece every time you need to get to a particular place! If your music repeats sections/choruses, consider repeating the moves you have created for it already, or even repeating larger sections. This will make it easier to remember and allow the audience to really appreciate the design over and over again! Don't create a dance that is a list of single moves- it will be impossible to learn! Listen for little 'hooks' where you can create memorable moves, which will help you or the dancers to realise where you are within the piece. Every choreographer seems to have their own way of annotating dances. Most people use words as descriptions, with some abbreviations/own shorthand, and I have seen a dance depicted in stick ladies with brief directions underneath. Creating a dance can be trying and repetitive- if you feel you're getting fed up or tired, just take a break and come back to it later. If your classes are in a studio with mirrors, try bits of it out there to see what it looks like, and even maybe show it as a 'work in progress' to your teacher or a friend, for useful pointers and help. Finally, finish it off with a clear ending. If the music ends crisply with a recognisable flourish, a dramatic pose making eye contact with your audience will always work, as they need to know when to clap! If the music fades out, you might either like to slow down into slow motion and stop in a pose, or float off the stage. If you go off stage, remember you may want to come back on for your well deserved applause! Once you have finished your dance, do a dress rehearsal- perform it in costume in front of someone else to get feedback. Now you are ready to perform! Creating your own dance is hard work but rewarding and you will probably drive everyone mad after hearing the music too often! However, there is something very special and satisfying about seeing your dance performed by others, or performing it your self.