“We’re going to do some improv!” is a sentence that strikes fear in the hearts of many dancers. If you’ve ever felt stuck, repetitive, or awkward while improvising, you’re not alone. Dance improvisation can be intimidating and vulnerable, especially when practiced in an already intense setting like a dance workshop or audition. But it’s an essential skill in the dancer’s toolkit, and it’s much easier than you think to find your rhythm.
The skills and confidence gained benefit you far beyond just your improv abilities, they unlock new creative pathways and help you pin down a unique identity in your movement that can be carried into choreography. Here are 10 simple tips to get into the moment and move!
1. Go Beyond the Melody
Next time you improv, try this: completely disregard the melody. Don’t act out the lyrics, or move to the obvious top line beats. Listen to the music and investigate it like a detective. What’s underneath the melody? Are there bells or breaths or strums punctuating the song? Make the mental shift to engaging this layer of the music and let it lead you. You’ll likely find a more dynamic and gritty quality of movement.
2. Ignore the Mirror
The mirror is usually your best friend, allowing you to tweak and correct positioning. But with dance improvisation, watching yourself in the mirror can bring on insecurities and overthinking, putting you in your head and unable to explore freely. Face a wall, dim the lights, and feed that attention back into your body and the way it’s feeling.
3. Explore Different Textures
Improvisation isn’t just what you do, it’s how you do it. Try moving as if through molasses, or as if floating through air. Experiment with contrast: sharp vs. soft, heavy vs. light, slow vs. staccato. The more textures you explore, the more expressive and versatile your dancing becomes.
4. Move with Your Breath
Tapping into your breath can reveal a natural tempo. Start moving on the inhale and see where it takes you. Pause on the exhale. Breathe into a shape and let it stretch on. When you connect your breath to your movement, it often leads to more fluid and organic transitions.
5. Dance With No Music
Dancing in silence removes the pressure to adhere to beats and allows you to focus inward. You’ll begin to tune into your own rhythms, emotions, and impulses. Once you reintroduce music, your sensitivity to timing and musicality often improves as well.
6. Slow Down & Take a Beat
If you’re like me, improv induces minor panic, which leads you to overdo it. It may feel like “impressive” improv flows in a constant stream, transforming and rolling endlessly into the next step. But improvisation doesn’t mean constant movement. In fact, moments of stillness can be an interesting textural tool, while also allowing you a beat to get back in your body.
7. Be Ready to Feel Silly
It’s easy to accidentally get caught in repeating choreographed 8-counts you already know. This jump always lands this way which puts you in the position to do this turn. Rather than raw abandon, you’re just rotating through chains of existing steps. It can be psychologically tricky to break out of this, thankfully, the solution is relatively simple: get comfortable feeling silly! When trying out new transitions and shapes, it may not always be a stage-worthy hit. That’s OK! Remember, the best improvisers have been in these stages too — it’s just a part of a process that is inherently experimental.
8. Record Yourself
When you’re ready, and this may not be for weeks or months, film a quick improv session. Review the footage without judgment, like a distant third party. Look for strings of movement you seem to fall back on often, or specific steps that get repeated. Once you’re aware of your habits, you can begin to break them, challenge yourself, or refine your style.
9. Try Contact Improvisation
Contact improv (or partner improv) involves improvising with another dancer — playing with their timing, weight, movement quality, and points of contact. It teaches you to adapt in real time and respond. You’ll discover what can emerge from shared touch and trust. Even a short session can sharpen your spatial awareness and create deep connections.
10. Keep Practicing
Improvisation isn’t just for cool-downs or warm-ups. Treat it as seriously as technique or choreography. Set aside time to explore new ideas, reflect on what you discover, and push yourself into uncomfortable zones. Growth lives where it feels a little awkward, and improvisation is the perfect place to stretch that boundary.
Conclusion
Improvisation is a personal and evolving process. It’s not about having all the answers, but about staying open to the questions. What happens if I don’t rely on turns? Or, what if I let THIS movement lead me to the floor? With time, trust, and a willingness to feel silly, you’ll find more confidence not only in your improv but in your overall dance artistry. Want to keep levelling up? Check out our article with 5 Tips to Learn Choreography Faster.
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