I am a beginner too, but I have planned about 4 or 5 so far.

I spend the first session just studying the music and I make a rough sketch of the sections and music changes. I usually make marks down the side of the paper and write the number count (only I can read it, but I understand it) I let that rest (but still listen to the song over and over.


I then just improv to the song to get the feel of it for me. When I have some definite combinations I want to add to the song, I write them in on my chart, I then sit and imagine what I could do and fill the chart in. this part takes the longest, and while I am doing it i play and pause the music alot. I don't worry about what I write in, i can change things, and always do.


I then dance out the rough beginnings with notebook in hand, I make tons of notations and changes.

I dance it over and over until I am ready to practice w/out the notes. I make many changes as I 'feel' the music.

Things are open to change though right up to the performance, and often I make things better, or add a new skill that I want to dance (or show off, hahaha)

Hi Natalie -

There are a ton of posts on this tribe about choreographing....
tribes.tribe.net/bellydanc...ed3bd7556b

Just try doing a 'Choreography' search at the top of the topics and you'll come up with some pretty good stuff.

May I add.... When you catch yourself having a creative surge moment, with oodles of energetic ideas for combos and steps to your song you are planning... write it down, and if possible, work it out physically THEN! Don't wait until the next time you go to choreograph the piece, cause it WILL BE GONE-ZO! It has happened to me so many times now, but I've learned from it. I had made a "dance" binder that I carry around. Anything of possible inspiration (pictures, textures, things from nature, notes & passages,etc.) goes in during the week... So when it's time to work, it is nice to have everything in one place.

I have all kinds of tricks but one that's I've been using lately is letting that song go for awhile. I'll listen to other music and come up with ideas for other music. Then I take those moves and bring it back to the 1st song that I'm stuck with.

I find some of my best ideas come to me when I'm not thinking about it, at work or in the car or some place other than in front of my notebook, TRYING to choreograph. Listen to the music constantly & have a notebook handy for when a stroke of genius comes to you in the grocery store!

Keep a notebook compiling a list of belly dance moves and combos.
When I get stuck I go thru that list, trying out these different moves/combos to see which will fit with the music, the mood.

Keep a notebook compiling a list of belly dance moves and combos.
When I get stuck I go thru that list, trying out these different moves/combos to see which will fit with the music, the mood.

The one thing I like to do is just dance! Play your favorite music and dance to it. When you don't have to think about what works were, you tend to find more stuff ( if that makes any since!). Then, try dancing to your song.

One thing you must be very careful with is how loud you listen to your music. It sounds silly, I know, but if you play your music very softly, you'll miss beats (depending on the style of music). Get some head phones or an empty house :) and blast your music. You might find a hidden tek or two. Being aware of every aspect of your music --every beat, every word--will make choreographing it much easier and complete.

Also, don't over do it. Showcase skill and beauty, not fluff. The great thing about belly dance is that it looks doable to most people. Then, when they try it, they realize how difficult it is. You always want to give your audience that glimmer of hope. Make everything you do look easy (even if that combo took you a year to learn)! If you dance without effort, your audience will better connect with you. When you dance, you're having a conversation, don't stutter or talk to fast or slur your sentances. Be crisp and eloquent!

Oh! This won't help you at all. The one thing I hate hate hate aobut choreography is the last 30 sec. or so of a song. I can never think of anything to do...ever... :(

Thank you for all your recommendations i'm working on my first solo too. I'll work with your ideas to see if the muse come to me.