routine lengths?

[Tiger Tiger]

Hey guys and dolls,

I'm starting to put together my first routine and I'm concerned about the length, or lack thereof. I've seen a few short routines but most tend to be rather lengthy (comparatively) and the routines I was taught in class tend to be 3 or 4 minutes minimum.

The act is a cheeky little number to an Elvis song, but as many golden oldies tend not to be very long, the routine is only a little over 2 minutes...

Is this too short? Should I find a new song/routine?

Any and all opinions gratefully welcome!

[Tifa DeLeone]

I'd say, if the routine is good, go for it and keep it!
I try not to go below 3 minutes, but that because I feel that I don't have enough time to do everything.

Sometimes keeping it short and fun all the way is better then long and you loose interest after 3-4 minutes.
If you feel you already got a good routine for this song I don't think it would be better to mix it with another song or change it just because the length of the song! :)

[Tiger Tiger]

Thanks for the advice :D

I actually came up with the routine when thinking of this song but didn't realise the length at the time, and though I am sure I can modify it, it actually fits with the lyrics of the song so it would be better to keep it.

Tifa said:

I'd say, if the routine is good, go for it and keep it!
I try not to go below 3 minutes, but that because I feel that I don't have enough time to do everything.

Sometimes keeping it short and fun all the way is better then long and you loose interest after 3-4 minutes.
If you feel you already got a good routine for this song I don't think it would be better to mix it with another song or change it just because the length of the song! :)

[Violet Eyes]

You heard the phrase quality not quantity?

Ive been dancing for several years now and have routines ranging from 2.5 mins through to 7 minutes.
Ive seen some amazing routines that are over in 2 minutes- take Barney Kessells "Honey Rock" its a quite popular song to dance to and if memory serves me correct thats under 3 minutes long.

If your happy with the dance then go with it - at the end of the day you have to be confident in what your doing and that will show through on stage.

As Tifa pointed out i think routines tend to be longer as it gives time to fit more of a strip and some extra moves in thats it - I have a dance thats literally me taking off a bodystocking its to an oldie but goody and its one of my most popular ;)

xx

[Tiger Tiger]

Thanks for the advice :) I've never seen a routine under 3 mins so I think I was getting paranoid, but I really think the routine is cute and it's basically set around the theme of the song, so I am happy to go with it :D

xx

Violet Eyes said:

You heard the phrase quality not quantity?

Ive been dancing for several years now and have routines ranging from 2.5 mins through to 7 minutes.
Ive seen some amazing routines that are over in 2 minutes- take Barney Kessells "Honey Rock" its a quite popular song to dance to and if memory serves me correct thats under 3 minutes long.

If your happy with the dance then go with it - at the end of the day you have to be confident in what your doing and that will show through on stage.

As Tifa pointed out i think routines tend to be longer as it gives time to fit more of a strip and some extra moves in thats it - I have a dance thats literally me taking off a bodystocking its to an oldie but goody and its one of my most popular ;)

xx

[Miss Titty Tushticle]

HI! I have routines that are 4 mins and some that are just 2.30 so I'd agree that it's definitely quality not quantity xxxx

[Annie Mae]

Agree wholeheartedly about quality versus quantity. I've seen long acts that just end up boring because she lost the attention of the audience (wrong song, less engaging choreography, etc.). There is also the other end where it seems she can't get her clothes off fast enough and the performance also ends up lackluster.

I'm a huge believer in balance. I have acts ranging from just over 3 minutes to into the 5 minute range. The longer it is, the more articles of clothing I add to my costuming. My shortest act consists of just three items to take off (shirt, skirt, bra) but I'm also hoop dancing at the same time, which keeps the audience engaged without noticing that I've only removed two things with the bra coming off at the very end.

That's what makes burlesque such an art form! :)

[Violet Magenta]

Like almost everyone else has said, the length of a routine really doesn't matter, so long as it looks good and not too rushed. For some of my Cyberlesque routines, where my music is pretty fast and electronic, the routines are only short because it is the way they work with the music and the style.

So long as you don't look like you're cramming things into the short time frame, I think it sounds fine. :)

[Tiger Tiger]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

I decided to keep this routine in my repertoire, but have used a different one (my "Too hot to hula") for my debut.

I completely agree with the not rushing aspect, but i am pretty happy with the routine - it only has only 3 items of clothing in it (gloves, a bridal skirt and a bridal fur wrap), which is pretty much one per verse, so it works quite well :)

x