Read the directions and guidelines for interpreting the choreography. The standard notation system for choreography is a system called Labanotation. Labanotation uses symbols to indicate the direction of the movement, the body part, the energy level, and the duration of the movement. Labnotation is based on the pioneering work of Rudolf von Laban, who established the Choreographic Institute in Zurich in 1915. He developed and published his dance notation system in 1928.
Read the dance description and title. The title informs the dancers about the particular type form of the dance. For example it may be a "boogie-woogie" or "modern jazz" piece. The choreographer names the dance to convey his intentions and ideas to the dancers and musicians.
Pay attention to the directions for the right foot and the left foot. The foot commands tell the dances which foot to move, how to move it, and the order of the movement. The directions may use "R" for the right foot, "RH" for the right heel, "L" and "LH" for the left foot and left heel. Look for a general overview of the movement sequences that indicate the overall structure of the dance.
Focus on the time and tempo for the dance. Each dance movement corresponds to a particular point in time within the musical structure. Musical time is represented by number. For example, 4/4 time is divided into four beats per measure - 1-2-3-4 - with each beat represented by a quarter note. The four beats can be divided in a number of ways such as 1& - 2& - 3&- 4& - so that the right foot may move on beat one and rest on beat two so forth. It may move on the first part of beat one and rest on the second part, the "&," or it may rest on the first part of beat one and move on the "&" part and so forth. The choreography will indicate the time and tempo on the page.
Pay attention to the descriptive details and instructions concerning the energy level for the dance. The choreographer may use descriptive terms such as "swing," "sustain,"suspend" and ""vibrate."