How and why take notes on dance classes & rehearsals?
Research supports the efficacy of notetaking in supporting learning and creativity, now how do we put that into practice and actually make time and space to jot a few ideas down afterwards?
Artistic Notes as Power
This article and the video below are not meant to be comprehensive–I and many others have much more to say on the topic of note-taking for performing artists and creative people–but it should provide a good jumping-off point for beginners to introduce the practice in this context.
Keeping notes might support us in Creation, Reflection, Revision, Memory, Archiving, Research, Collaboration…
In the video above, I offer some places to look for fruitful scribbles, and a few quick and simple ways to get the most of your notes.
Why?
Capture, remember, learn, refer to important information without becoming distracted, think, incubate and develop ideas.
Provide structures of support and accountability for your creative goals, track progress, coach yourself and help others coach you, make more and better work!
How?
Just as there are many different kinds of dancers and artists, there are endless possibilities to the application of note-taking in the creative process. Ultimately do what serves and pleases YOU!
Here are a few places to look to start your dance notetaking journey. Over time and exposure to diverse influences, I’ve developed my own notetaking prompts and strategies and I hope you will find your own through exploration, trial, and error.
Use whatever materials you have access to, as appealing as you can find to draw you in. Analog helps us think, but digital has it’s place as well, use what works for you and you will remember to do without distraction.
For classes and rehearsals, an Evaluative Log, like the one Alex Durrant and I used for dance classes at Windward Community College.
What?
For your Evaluative Log, jot down/sketch/record whatever you can, deciding in time what is most valuable to capture and how.
Describe as much as you can with words and images, drawings, sketches, diagrams and symbols, using technical jargon and specialized vocabulary where applicable as well as plain language, quotes, reference materials, whatever keeps the information fresh or lends fresh perspective to your work.
During my Coaches Training with Accomplishment Coaching, I learned a simple tool called What Happened, What’s Missing, What’s Next and posing those questions can provide a fairly complete picture of the situation.
In addition to those 3 basic questions, I provide some further prompts to reflect on and record. Ask yourself:
Happened…
What Happened?
Like an objective 3rd party observer or neutral expert, report the facts, with as much detail as time allows.
Consider:
- What was the goal or focus of the session?
- What did you hear or experience that was new or made an impression?
- Which concepts were central?
- What steps, techniques, or choreographies were taught/practiced/reviewed?
- What do you need to remember about and follow-up on?
Is Missing…
What’s Missing?
- What might be missing or incomplete?
- What questions remain unanswered?
- What different or further support or practice needed?
- What resources of things, people, time do you need to support your growth or fill the gaps?
Is Next…
What’s Next?
- What are your goals and targets?
- What will you do or practice before the next session?
- Who will you consult for further information?
- What tools & resources will you access?
- What will you create?
- When will you do so?
Glows & Grows
There’s an even simpler evaluative process that I learned during my Secondary Teaching Credential (PBSCE) at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, from my advisor Cheryl Treber-Kawaoka, “Glows and Grows.”
Functions to capture key pieces of information to move forward with learning, creating, and teaching practices.
I particularly appreciate how it counters negativity bias and centers a growth mindset of continual learning, refinement, and improvement that is essential in the arts.
Glows
“Glows” can take so many forms! Here are some related questions:
- What went well?
- What progress did you see or make?
- Where were you able to display your strengths?
- Which qualities, strengths, and accomplishments did you exhibit?
- How did your performance or behavior align with your personal values, mission, vision, and goals?
- What did you enjoy?
- What praise or positive feedback did you receive (and/or earn)?
- What past challenges did you learn from?
- What do you want to be acknowledged for?
Grows
“Grows” are places where further development or growth is possible. We can use note-taking to recall and apply impressions and feedback received during creative sessions. For example:
- What was challenging, difficult, or frustrating?
- Where did you encounter your weaknesses or breakdowns?
- What thoughts, feelings, or body sensations do you need to experience and process?
- What critical feedback did you receive and/or give?
- Was the criticism constructive, specific, empowering?
- What next steps do you wish to take with regard to lessons learned, insights gained, input received?
Resources for Further Exploration
- Reflective Practice Through Journaling
- Goal-Setting for Dancers
- Learning from Mistakes and Failure
- Fine Feedback Workshop – How to Give & Receive Constructive Criticism & Promote Dance in the Process
- Bullet Journaling for Order and Inspiration
- Artful Archiving
- My Creative Morning Ritual
Questions for Reflection
- What kinds of notes do you take?
- What do you struggle to remember?
- How does writing contribute to your artistic process?
- What are you creating?
Try out these note-taking approaches for yourself and let me know what works for you. Thanks for reading and practicing together in spirit or in fact!
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Back regularly with more fun with ballet, mindful movement, & creativity. Take good care until then,
Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties
and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life