Tanzschritte aufschreiben: Deine Notiz für die nächste Stunde

Either works, as long as your notes are quick to access and easy to follow. Paper gives you room for arrows and later additions; a text note on your phone can be named after the dance and figure. What matters is keeping the information in the same order. When writing at the edge of the dance floor, make sure you do not get in other couples’ way.

You can use your own abbreviations if you write down what they mean once. For example, L and R can stand for the moving foot, “W: L” for weight on the left, and “W stays R” for weight remaining unchanged. Do not use the same symbol for direction and rotation. A small legend will prevent confusion later.

Note the pause on its count and add what remains unchanged during it. “2: no new step, weight stays on the left” is clearer than a blank line. If a different movement was demonstrated during the pause in class, include that too. “Pause” does not automatically mean your whole body stays still.

Leave a clearly marked gap at that point instead of making up the step. Note the last action you are sure of before the gap and the first one you are sure of after it. An entry like “Direction missing after 3” helps narrow down the problem. When you go over it again in class, you can recognize that exact transition and fill it in.

For your personal step notes, your own role is enough to start with. Include your partner’s sequence only if it explains a specific connection, such as the shared starting position. If you do, record it separately and label it clearly. Two mixed-up foot sequences leave it unclear whose starting foot, facing direction, and weight placement are meant.

Arrows are helpful if you clearly define the perspective and also note where your weight is. Otherwise, an arrow pointing up could mean forward, toward the mirror wall, or up the page. So add a short legend, such as “Arrows shown from my starting position.” Words are often clearer than curved arrows for turns.