How to Learn Choreography

Now that you know which way you learn best, think about how you can use that knowledge to learn choreography more easily. For example, I learn best from what I see. I retain what I've read in a text book much better than I retain what I hear in a lecture. So if the instructor gives me written notes for the choreography, I keep them with me and consult them as I learn it. If she doesn't give me written notes, I write my own.

If you learn best when you hear something spoken, ask the instructor for permission to use a small cassette player to record what she says during class. Also focus on listening to what she says, and listening to what the music is doing as you practice it.

If you learn best by using physical movement, focus your mind on how to do the transition from one move to the next. Practice just the transition, over and over. It may also be helpful to hand-print your own copy of the written notes two or three times - that motion of writing down what to do may help imprint the movement in your memory.

You may have additional ideas on how to draw upon your preferred learning techniques to memorize choreography. Experiment with them, and explore what works best for you.

Take Notes

Some instructors will give you written notes. Some won't. If yours gives you notes, keep them with you while she is teaching, and consult them to see what words she used to describe each move that she teaches. Then add your own comments to explain the move in words that you will understand. Draw stick figures if necessary.

Don't just passively accept the notes and put them away. The act of describing the move in your own words will force your brain to analyze it, and that will help you remember it.

Practice, Practice, Practice

When you do have time and space to dance, practice the choreography. Use that mental rehearsal to help you anticipate which move comes next, and do it. Pay attention to what the music is doing, and think about how the move matches it.

Practice will transfer the moves from your brain into your body. It will help you identify transitions where you need special focus.

If there's a particular step that you always forget, try

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