What can I do to learn a routine faster?

Question

I've been dancing since I was little, but I've never had any intense training. When I take a dance audition or an upper level dance class, I can't learn the routine as fast as everyone else. I can follow, but my body doesn't memorize it so quick. What is the best way to be a fast learner?

Answer 1

One approach that has helped me with martial arts involves the following approach;

1) Take Notes: Break down a routine by taking notes about every individual technique and small series of moves. Describe what you are doing with each part of your body and which parts are done in what order or simultaneously . . . etc, etc. (If you need to, use a camcorder to record the routines so you can look at them over and over again as you study them and take notes)

2) After that, just try to learn the first few moves . . . then the next few moves . . . breaking them down into small "series" and learning the routine one "series" at a time in order. . . As you learn new series in addition to the first one, make sure you start practising from the beginning all the way to the last move you currently have memorized.

3)While you are memorizing these short series one at a time, take a few minutes before, during, and maybe after each practice session to sit down comfortably, close your eyes, and visualize yourself performing that series (and later the entire routine) to absolute perfection.

4)Once you get to the end of the end of the routine, you should be able to "fumble" your way to the end of the routine, even if it is out of step with the beat and even if you have to pause several times to remember certain moves . . . the important thing is if you can at least remember the moves yourself. All that remains now is to "practice, practice, practice" until you can perform the routine more fluidly with power, poise, and passion! :-)

You might call it VAMP (not necessarily in a particular order) . . .
Visualize
Analyze
Memorize
Perfect

I hope this helps you! . . .

Answer 2

There are different learning styles and you should try to find out what kind you are. Some people learn best by seeing, some by hearing, some by doing, etc... The best thing that you can do no matter what kind of learner you are is to include as many of your senses as possible. You may want to try bringing a notebook to your class. If you go through the routine several times each class sit some of them out and write down what you do and how many repititions/counts each step/movement takes. After that read over your notes several times a day (at least once a day). Visualize what you need to do as you read through the notes you took. Listen to the music you dance to and read your notes along with the music. Visualize the steps and moves as you listen to the music. Practice the dance at home at least once a day. If you can get permission from the instructor ask if you can film one of the class sessions so that you can practice at home. Then you can watch the tape at home and practice with it. If you can do all of theses then I would reccomend doing the routine once with the tape and then once without. Generally the more you practice it the faster you will learn but sometimes we need aditional tools to help us. As a child doing ballet, tap, and jazz I had a very hard time following a choreography. Outside of class I could never remember the steps/moves the way they went to the music. Later as a teenager when I took up bellydancing I started to do the things I've mentioned here and the made an enormous difference for me. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

I was analyzing your question and I got a clue. You don't have any intense training. The thing is not really intense but I call it personal training. You should have a time alone and do those routines. The important thing about this is, you can do it better alone because no one is looking and your concentration is there. Plus, you can know your limits and go beyond it. You will be challenging yourself to do more and better. Have this at least 2x a week and you'll see a big improvement, maybe not right away but there will. Another thing, when your at your class, don't copy the routines,ok. Pay attention to your teacher then memorize it. And it will flow instantly when you hear the music. Your mind will memorize it first before the muscles. Maybe your problem is more on the thinking part,so do it more often than before. Hope I helped you.

Answer 4

I can relate to what you're saying. I can follow really well, but I turn my brain off too much apparently when I follow.

My trick to get better at it was to go to as many classes where routines are taught and just grind through them. Dance without a partner. Explain to him/them that you have a particular goal and you don't wish to dance with a partner now. This way, you learn to not rely on your partner but on your own brain and body. Your body will learn to memorize. I know it's frustrating and the beginning, but that will change.

Answer 5

Can you bring a video camera to class?

When I need to learn a routine, I get it on video. Then I can practice and be sure that I am doing the steps correctly. One thing I really like about video is that you can slow it down and really see what you need to be doing.

I am a visual learner, so taking notes doesn't help me.

Answer 6

If you are a Follower its important to have a very good Leader. Someone who can lead you in the right steps and movements. And who has the time to do rehearsals very frequently. If you can not memorize it so quick, you have to try to synchronize your perception and your Bodymovements first. Try to be Rhythmic too . Listen to the Music and try to move into the Rhythm of the Music.

Answer 7

Concentrate and Focus.
It is not the body that memorize. It is the mind. Learn how to let the music guide you. You must become one with the music. You are probably telling yourself that you can not memorize it. So you are right. Watch you thoughts.
Over and Out.

Answer 8

i totally get what you are saying!
that happens to me too.
very often it costs me the audition because i know i can do the steps very well executed, but i just cant always remember. i learn really slow.
something that has worked for me is to stop and really put attention to what you are supposed to do, like really concentrate and run the step over and over again on your head and then do them.
i know taking notes in an audition is nearly impossible but take mental notes.
practice a lot when you are on the side (if the audition people are looking at somone else) and most importantly, believe in yourself and try not to get nervous. as corny as that sounds it really works!

Answer 9

Break it down into however big or small segments you can
memorize fairly easy. Don't dink around, get serious.
Do that segment over and over, in front of a mirror until u
feel U got it good. Move to the next, and at the end get the
flow going to hook em together. Solid!

Answer 10

Practise, practise, practise. Learn all the steps and practise them over and over.

When a new routine comes up that uses the various steps, you can say to yourself that's that particular step, followed by that one. And try to remember them by step name, so you can learn the routine by the types of steps in it. And if you are well practised in the various steps, then your body will automatically take over.