How do you choreograph hip hop?? NEED some HELP!!?

Question

I want to choreograph something really good and cool because I just love dancing, I have been taking dancing classes for hip hop for almost a year...... but how do you choreograph, like what is going through you mind when your doing it and how do you make moves?

Please dont say watch vids or music videos cuz thats just stealing moves.....

Answer 1

My only suggestion is to find a spot with plenty of room, crank the stereo up and just listen to the music. Start doing moves that feel right, you know the ones that just seem to fit with the flow of the beat and rhythm. String a few moves together and do them a few times, or practise with a friend so you can remember the moves, and then try it out in front of a mirror to see how good it looks.

Answer 2

Use the moves you have learnt in class. The best thing to do is turn on some music and just start dancing. Do it when you are alone so your not embarrassed or anything. You dance around to a song you like a few times, then start to form a dance. You can write down your ideas or just remember them. Keep practsing the few moves you made to music and add little bits at a time. Then you have a dance!

Answer 3

I've been choreographing rutines for shows at my church. Its going to be hard work but fun. Choose a song and listen to it over and over. Remember to listen to the lyrics because thats where you can get your dance moves and thats how your rutine becomes one with the song. It also depends on the type of hip hop your doing. If its soft, make sure your moves are FIRE but keep it graceful. If its a hype type of hip hop, remember to incorporate tricks, and popping. Good Luck!

Answer 4

This may sound cheesy but along with the other girls' suggestions (which are very good by the way), if you listen to the lyrics then base your moves on them. For example, if the lyrics were 'my heart used to beat' then do a heartbeat/pulse. If the lyrics were 'put your hands up' then go for it!!!! The only thing about this technique is that you have to be very subtle otherwise you'll just look a bit ridiculous!!

Another thing you should try is to "Let the music move your body." Listen to the beat in the background and preferably not the obvious 'tune' and dance to that. Eddie Uehara says, "dance is music made visible". With that in mind, if the song is upbeat then make sure you're being very energetic with your body. If the music is slow then make sure your dance moves are smooth.

Here are some videos, not to copy but to inspire you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ALtIwy77...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiFBZPU_R...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHPEhYrJ7...

Notice how the 2nd routine is very energetic to go with the song and how the 3rd routine is very smooth when the tune is smooth but sharp on the beat. This is how you should form your choreography.

Another thing to try is to switch on a song, freestyle to it and see what moves you make on the spot with your body. Some fantastic songs for busting out cool moves are,

Petey Pablo - show me tha money

Santogold - Creator

One Chance - That's my Word

(I've included smooth and upbeat songs in this list for you and you can get all these tunes on youtube to listen to.)

Don't even listen to the song first though - just turn it on, get up and dance to it even if you've never heard it before.

I don't know if this is only me, but I can often switch a song on, close my eyes and imagine moves that look really good just in my head and then get up and perform them. This is a really good technique for me as I'm really imaginative so try it and see if it works for you to!

Notice everyday things around you - I watched a lady walking down the street the other day and she did this foot thing (on accident) and when I got home I did it and it looked amazing to the music!!

Don't forget not everyone is a choreographer but just an amazing dancer!! So if you can't seem to choreograph very well then just stick to the dancing as not everyone can be good at both!!

Ok - you're all set! Let me know how you get on!

Answer 5

There is no "stealing moves". Every choreographer uses the same moves as another, just in a different way. All you need to do is put different moves (yes, from other people), to different music, in different combinations, and then add a little of your own PIZAZZ!

Answer 6

I know you said don't say watch video's.. but it does help, don't copy there moves but alternative them.

Relate your moves to the song you're dancing to.. if it's a s**y hip-hop song then add some s**y dance moves in there... If the music is jumpy.. jump. If the music slows down..slow down. It's quite easy, just follow the music!