Choreography Guidelines

OBJECTIVE:

1. To make it easier for line dancers to accurately read, interpret and dance the choreography, as
   originally intended by the choreographer.
2. To reduce incidence of clarification between interested line dancers and the choregrapher.

1. DATE:
   To include Date (or Month/Year) of Choreography
   
   [Benefit: Currency]
   　
2. MUSIC:
   To include the
       a) Title of song
       b) Album used
       c) Band/Singer
       d) Beats per minute [optional, but helpful]
   
   [Benefit: To avoid use of wrong music]
   　
3. CONTACT:
   Choreographer contact: To include email id, for  clarification.
   
   [Benefit: Especially for dance steps which are not clear]
   　
4. START OF DANCE:
   A clear description of when to start, eg on vocals,  or x counts from which part of the music.
   
   [Benefit: Starting the dance correctly]
   　
5. COUNTS/WALLS:
   To include number of counts and number of wall/s. Steps in each "Section" of 8 counts or 12 counts (for waltz line dances):
   
   a) For non-waltz, to use 1-8 only, not 9-16, 17-24, etc
   
   b) For waltz, to use 1-12 only in each SECTION, not 13-24, 25-36, etc
   
   c) Indicate wall (eg 6 o'clock) at end of each 8 or 12 counts. If there are many changes in walls within the 8 or 12 counts, and it would help in wall orientation, please also include the wall within the 8 or 12 counts.
   
   [Benefit: Easier to follow. The mind can better handle
   sets of 8 counts described as 1 to 8]
   　
6. LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY:
   To include dance level (although subjective), eg Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. Most step sheets already indicate this.
   
   [Benefit: Easier for line dancer to decide to learn or
   otherwise]
   
   　
7. TURNS/SPINS:
   To check that the description in SECTION is consistent with the details of the steps in the SECTION. If 1/2 L TURN is mentioned in SECTION 'header', then 1/2 (and not 1/4, 3/4, etc) turn should be described in the details.
   
   [Benefit: Accuracy avoids confusion]
   
   　
8. STEPS: To include Name of Dance step in SECTION, and the details of  the step in the counts. Eg. SECTION, "R COASTER ...". In details, "1&2 R foot step back, L foot step next to R, R foot step forward ...".
   
   [Benefit: To keep broad description in "Section" brief
   and clear]
   　
9. WEIGHT ON FOOT:
       a) To indicate weight on which foot, before/at START of dance. This is common in Step Sheets of recent dances
   choreographed by Michael Vera-Lobos
      
       b) To indicate weight on which foot during the dance, if the steps are "unique", "unusual", and weight (on foot) is important as an indicative guide.
   
   [Benefit: Helpful guide]
   
   　
10. Choreographers unique logo/graphic - Optional, but would be fun.
    
    Eg. "Push" (A Red-coloured Stickman pushing a Green block),

Dance Singapore! Choreography Guide - http://www.dancesingapore.com