[Verse 1]
When you start your dance notation
Don't forget the preparation
Where do arms and legs begin?
That's the key to writing clean
Every movement needs its home
Starting place must be well known
Without it dancers lose their way
Mark position one today
[Chorus]
Four mistakes that trip you up
In Laban scores that you write up
Starting place and symbol size
Moving parts and smooth goodbyes
Remember these four golden rules
Master your notation tools
Starting place and symbol size
Moving parts and smooth goodbyes
[Verse 2]
Keep your symbols all the same
Different sizes change the game
Bigger marks mean longer time
Smaller ones are quick and fine
If you mix them up by chance
Timing breaks inside your dance
Steady sizes keep the beat
Make your notation neat and sweet
[Chorus]
Four mistakes that trip you up
In Laban scores that you write up
Starting place and symbol size
Moving parts and smooth goodbyes
Remember these four golden rules
Master your notation tools
Starting place and symbol size
Moving parts and smooth goodbyes
[Verse 3]
When left arm stays in its place
Still needs marks upon your page
Silent parts need notation too
Show what's still as well as new
If you skip the steady side
Your notation cannot guide
Mark the moving and the still
Both together show your skill
[Bridge]
Don't forget those in-between
How you get from A to B
Smooth transitions make it flow
Help the dancer really know
Path from here to over there
Steps that bridge and movements share
[Chorus]
Four mistakes that trip you up
In Laban scores that you write up
Starting place and symbol size
Moving parts and smooth goodbyes
Remember these four golden rules
Master your notation tools
Starting place and symbol size
Moving parts and smooth goodbyes
[Outro]
Practice with your partner true
Let them read what you wrote through
Watch a folk dance, count sixteen
Make your digital scores clean
Starting place and symbol size
Moving parts and smooth goodbyes