Contemporary Dance for Beginners: Basics & Video Lessons

Contemporary dance demands willpower and perseverance even from experienced dancers, and for beginners, it can seem especially challenging. Yes, improvisation and a sense of freedom are important, but that freedom is built on a deep understanding of the body, breath, and rhythm—requiring systematic work. Quality improvisation, as GoDance choreographers know, is not spontaneity but the result of conscious mastery of technique.

To begin, beginners in contemporary dance will find it especially tough if they have zero experience in dance or sports overall, as this style uses fairly complex elements to convey the dancer's intent through body language.

Scattered minds will also struggle, if only because you have to constantly keep in mind various movements from different styles and their combinations, and then execute them during improvisation with no time to think about how to do it better, more correctly, or more interestingly. There is only the creator, the stage, a wealth of knowledge, and emotions needing release.

It sounds intimidating, of course, but if you're not faint of heart, let's dive deeper into the basics of contemporary dance.

Online, there are many guides for beginners covering basic elements, combinations, and techniques of contemporary dance. You'll likely need to explore them if you intend to learn this art.

Learning methods vary, but the main recommendation for beginners is this: before embarking on the path of a contemporary dancer, make sure your body is ready for the work. We all understand that certain injuries and illnesses combined with physical activity can become life-threatening, which is far more serious than, say, discovering on your first class that your flexibility isn't sufficient for a particular move.

Speaking of which, having flexibility is itself a desirable condition for beginners. Ballet was one of the forerunners of contemporary dance, and although modern dance has moved away from its strictures and rules, the expressiveness and complexity of some elements demand that dancers have a flexible body ready to express itself.

Additionally, you should choose your learning method in advance. Video lessons may be convenient later, but at the start, we recommend finding a dance school or a private instructor to protect yourself from the health consequences of incorrect execution.

Now that the basics are covered, let's move to a summary of key rules for beginners in this dance.

First, you need to get the appropriate gear. There isn't much, but it can protect you from injuries in the initial phase. Dancing barefoot comes later; for now, be ready for ballet flats, half-toe shoes, or even pointe shoes. And a dance leotard will be comfortable, unrestrictive clothing for practice.

Next is the ability to listen to yourself and the music you're dancing to.

Contemporary dance gives you freedom to choose the melody, but that's not an excuse to relax, because during improvisation you need to respond with your body to all the rhythms of the melody, to become one with it. And that's no easy task even for people with perfect pitch.

The main rule, perhaps, is not to rush ahead. Contemporary dance is a complex athletic discipline that must be mastered gradually. Start by learning the basics and slowly refine your skills, increasing the difficulty.

An important tip for beginners: don't go it alone—find like-minded people! A creative environment usually motivates growth, healthy competition among dancers stimulates skill improvement, and professionals help newcomers master the art. Contemporary dance is a conversation in body language, and believe me, learning this language cannot happen without connecting with other dancers.