Why is dance notation used more often to record dances than to create them?

Dance notation is primarily used for recording existing works rather than creating them because of the practical realities of the choreographic process and the inherent nature of dance as a performing art.

Unlike a composer who can write a complete symphony in isolation, a choreographer is often limited by rehearsal time, the availability of dancers, and the need to experiment directly in the studio. Because few choreographers or dancers are literate in notation systems, the time required to learn and write scores is often viewed as impractical. Furthermore, the creative process frequently involves collaboration, improvisation, and physical exploration with dancers, making it difficult for a choreographer to maintain an overall view of the work through notation alone.1234

Ultimately, dance is an ephemeral art form that changes with every performance due to the unique interpretations, technical abilities, and physical appearances of the dancers. While notation serves as an essential tool for the faithful preservation of past works and the analysis of choreographic detail, it cannot fully capture the fluid, living nature of a performance in the same way a musical score represents a composition.21