Practical Experience – Creating & Building Choreography

Creating & Building Choreography

Selecting music

Selecting music for your class should follow the components of a Drums Alive ^® class and should be selected to motivate and excite your clients.  To keep participants interested and motivated instructors should offer variety in their music as well as select music styles that are appropriate and reflect in part the population you are working with.  Instructors should understand the different styles of choreography that Drums Alive ^® utilizes as well as understand the fundamental elements of music and rhythmical interpretation of songs.

1. 32 count Blocks
2. Chorus, Verse, Chorus,
3. Rhythmical interpretation

 

Selecting movement and rhythmical patterns 

When selecting movement patterns and styles, instructors should choose not only movement patterns appropriate for the population one is working with, instructors need to also consider the rhythmical patterns and skills for each group.  These all need to be safe and effective yet provide a sense of fun and excitement.  There should be a nice blend of movement and rhythmical patterns (drumming). Sequencing and transitions should flow and be easy to follow!

Do not make your movement or rhythmical patterns too complicated.  Keep it simple and fun (unless the participants are advanced and have been drumming and moving for a longer period of time).

Select music appropriate for the portion of the class you are teaching with the appropriate BPM

Listen to the selected music and visualize what component of the class it works best with.  Try to visualize movement and rhythmical patterns that will work best with the music.

Count the beats, measures and phrases.  If working with the Chorus, Verse, Chorus method, count this out including the bridge or interlude; if there are instrumental sections of the music make an extra notation of this!

Be aware of the dynamics of the music and try to include these moments in your choreography and rhythmical interpretation of the song.

If participants are new to the music and fitness arenas, you may need to work with them on counting music, finding the beat and the downbeat, realizing what a chorus, verse, interlude is, as well as feeling the phrase, dynamics and mood of the music!

Build even blocks of choreography.  Try to stay balanced both on the right and left sides.

Leave moments just for drumming and integrate:

• Cross over patterns
• Behind the back patterns
•  Cross Diagonal patterns
•  Eye Hand Coordination Patterns
• Technical Drumming Skills – (Par a diddle)
•  Moments for Self-Expression

Choreography should:

• Apply the dynamics of the music in the movement patterns
• Be balanced  – choreograph R&L sides (this is sometimes difficult with chorus-verse-chorus choreography)
• Use proper intensity levels and moderations
• Include smooth transitional techniques
• Utilize safety cues
• Implement spatial awareness & directional changes, level changes etc.
• Provide moments of creativity

Create your own choreography

Choose 4 Basic Drumming moves, 4 Loco motor Moves and 4 combination moves then mix them together randomly and experience a new choreography.  Try this a few more times.  See which combinations flow better and are easier to dance/drum and put this to music.

Once you have become familiar with the names of the Drums Alive program you will be able to create your own choreography.  Try using cultural music and see how the music will inspire your drumming and movement.

ALWAYS follow the safety tips in this Drums Alive course and the American College of Sport Medicine.