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Beginning Jazz Dance is the perfect resource for helping students gain a strong foundation of beginning jazz dance techniques. Written by jazz dance choreographer and professor James Robey, this text prepares students to have a successful experience in a beginning jazz dance technique course. It introduces students to the history, artists, significant works, styles, and aesthetics of the genre so they understand dance as a performing art.
Beginning Jazz Dance features 80 photos accompanied by descriptions that visually present the beginning jazz dance technique and dance concepts that will reinforce and extend classroom learning. It also has related online resources that include 55 photos and 125 video clips of basic jazz dance technique. Students can access these photos and videos at any time for their study or practice and will benefit from the wealth of other resources including assignments, worksheets, glossary terms with and without definitions, interactive chapter quizzes, and web links to help students develop their basic knowledge and skills.
Through the text, students learn these aspects of jazz dance:
- The core concepts of jazz dance, the value of studying jazz dance, and class expectations
- The structure of a jazz dance class, the roles of everyone in the studio, and how to be physically and mentally prepared for class
- Tips on injury prevention, nutrition guidelines, and basic anatomy and kinesiology as applied to movement in jazz dance
- Basic body alignment and positions in jazz dance
- Jazz walks, kicks, turns, leaps, and floor work
Beginning Jazz Dance provides students with the context, background information, and basic instruction they need in order to understand the genre and appreciate jazz dance as a performing art. This text and companion online resource is ideal for dance majors, dance minors, and general education students enrolled in beginning jazz dance technique courses. It is also suitable for students in performing arts and magnet schools and high school dance programs.
Beginning Jazz Dance is a part of Human Kinetics’ Interactive Dance Series. The series includes resources for ballet, modern, tap, jazz, musical theater, and hip-hop dance that support introductory dance technique courses taught through dance, physical education, and fine arts departments. Each student-friendly text has related online learning tools including video clips of dance instruction, assignments, and activities. The Interactive Dance Series offers students a collection of guides to learning, performing, and viewing dance.
Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is included with all new print books.
Chapter 1. Introduction to Jazz Dance
Defining Jazz Dance
Benefits of Studying Jazz Dance
Jazz Class Expectations and Etiquette
Summary
Chapter 2. Preparing for Class
Dressing for Class
Attire for Women
Carrying Dance Gear
Preparing Yourself Mentally and Physically
Jazz Dance Class Structure
Roles of the Teacher, Musician, and Students
Summary
Chapter 3. Safety and Health
Studio Safety
Personal Safety
Basic Anatomy and Kinesiology
Preventing and Treating Common Dance Injuries
Nutrition, Hydration, and Rest
Summary
Chapter 4. Learning and Performing Jazz Technique
Learning Movement Technique
Analyzing Movement Skills
Honing Musicality and Rhythmic Skills
Enhancing Performance in Class
Developing a Performance Attitude
Summary
Chapter 5. Basic Jazz Positions
Body Alignment
Positions of the Feet
Positions of the Arms
Hand Positions
Positions of the Body
Studio and Stage Directions
Summary
Chapter 6. Basic Jazz Techniques
Getting Started
Basic Warm-Up Techniques \7 videos\
Basic Isolation Techniques \7 videos\
Basic Coordination Techniques\7 videos\
Basic Conditioning Techniques \15-18 videos\
Summary
Chapter 7. In the Center and Across the Floor
Exercises in the Center
Exercises Across the Floor
Types of Combinations
Summary
Chapter 8 .History of Jazz Dance
Development of Jazz Dance as a Performing Art
Jazz Dance Forms and Styles
Viewing Jazz Dance Performances
Summary
James Robey, MFA, is assistant professor of dance and department chair at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he received the Messing Faculty Award in 2015. He was director of the prestigious Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance for 10 years, during which he also created the Robey Jazz Dance Technique and Syllabus. He has taught as faculty or adjunct faculty at numerous universities, schools for the performing arts, and dance studios.
Robey was artistic director and company artist for James Robey Dance for 14 years. He has danced for many companies, beginning his dance career in 1990. He has also acted as choreographer for numerous ballets and dance ensembles over the years, and he has presented at conferences and written numerous articles on jazz dance and related topics.
Robey is on the board of directors of the American College Dance Association and is a member of the National Dance Education Organization, National Association of Schools of Dance, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Benefits of Studying Jazz Dance
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves.
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves. Jazz dance today, in all its forms, still maintains that joyous excitement. But studying jazz dance offers benefits beyond just sheer enjoyment, such as physical fitness, artistic expression, and practical cross-training skills for aspiring dancers.
Health and Physical Fitness
The health and physical fitness benefits of jazz dance include increased strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. The athletic, full-bodied nature of jazz dance develops arm strength from floor work, leg strength from jumps, and core strength from coordinating the limbs. Jazz dance classes consist of stretching sequences that lengthen the larger muscles of the legs and lower back. Increased flexibility and range of motion in the hips, shoulders, and spine commonly develop from jazz dance training. Challenging steps and combinations, in which the upper and lower body parallel and contrast each other in numerous ways, create increased coordination in jazz dancers. Remember the old challenge to rub your head and pat your tummy? That task becomes simple for jazz dancers who learn complex rhythmic patterns. Besides the strength, flexibility, and coordination developed in jazz dance, the infectious, high-energy rhythmic music of a jazz dance class leads to increased endurance and stamina.
Safety Tip
As a dance student, you need to be able to distinguish good pain from bad pain. Good pain comes from strength, stretching, and endurance exercises that expand the ability of the body. These pains may feel uncomfortable, but they are beneficial. Bad pain comes from pushing the body too far too fast, and it leads to injury. These pains tend to be sharp and sudden. Listen to your body to find the edge of good pain and do not go past it.
Artistic Expression
Alongside the physical benefits of jazz dance, the ability to express the creative self through movement allows a full-bodied approach to sharing personal emotions and artistic insights. Because the body explores physical movement in jazz dance class while simultaneously allowing a free flow of personal expression, both a release and a strengthening of the mind - body connection occur. Euphoric feelings that jazz dancers sometimes refer to as a rush or high often result.
Cross-Training
Besides gaining the physical and emotional benefits of studying jazz dance, dancers who study other forms of dance gain in further practical ways. The emphasis in jazz dance on rhythmic complexity and dynamic performance helps ballet and modern dancers enhance their ability as dancers. Although ballet training develops incredible grace, the codified technique often becomes rhythmically predictable and dynamically smooth. Modern dance training often creates organically connected and grounded dancers who may become restricted dynamically. Ballet and modern dancers trained in jazz dance add intricate rhythmic coordination and the ability to add dynamic performance qualities to their range, making jazz dance an important part of training for versatile dancers. Combining these practical skills for aspiring dancers with enhanced physical fitness, artistic expression, and an overall joyful experience provides a self-evident answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" Now that you have learned the definition of jazz dance and reviewed the benefits, you will want to know the rules of class.
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Positions of the Feet
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position.
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position. Derived from classical ballet, the turned-out positions are called classical positions in jazz dance class.
- Neutral position: feet apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets and parallel to each other (see figure 5.4).
Neutral foot position.
- First position: insides of the feet together and parallel to each other (figure 5.5).
Parallel first position.
- Second position: feet farther than hip-distance apart and parallel to each other (figure 5.6).
Parallel second position.
- Fourth position: one foot forward of the other and the back heel lifted off the floor, as shown in figure 5.7 in plié.
Parallel fourth position.
- Classical first position: feet in a V formation because of the natural turnout from the hip socket (figure 5.8).
Classical first position.
- Classical second position: feet apart about the length of one foot and naturally turned out (figure 5.9).
Classical second position.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Traditional Jazz Steps
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures.
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures. In this section, they are presented in historical order, starting with the oldest. Often, traditional jazz steps are recycled into new dance styles. As you explore these steps, see whether you can recognize aspects or even the whole step in current dance styles.
Flick Kick
- Flick kick: a kick performed by lifting a knee while bent, extending the leg sharply, and then bending it again on the way down. This step can be done small, medium, or large.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
Cakewalk
- Cakewalk: a leaping kick forward that begins with a small leap onto one foot while the other leg flick kicks and is then immediately repeated on the other side. This step is often done with the torso leaning slightly backward.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
- Leap immediately after the flick kick onto that same leg to repeat on the other side.
Did You Know?
The cakewalk was a popular dance tradition among slaves on plantations in the 19th century. White performers appropriated the step and presented it in minstrel shows.
Sugar
- Sugar: starts with the feet in jazz second position and weight equally on both feet. Change weight to the ball of the left foot and pivot to the right on the ball of the left foot until the left toe is pointed to the right. At same time step on ball of the right foot with the toe pointed to the right. Reverse. The step can be done on a straight leg or with knees bent, on the balls of the feet, or on the whole foot.
Self-Check
- Let the hips switch from side to side but keep the torso facing front.
- Stay on the balls of the feet and stay with the music. Try changing tempos.
Charleston
- Charleston: a step forward on one foot, small flick kick forward with the other foot, step back with the free foot, and then touch behind with the original foot.
Self-Check
- For variation, try the 1920s flapper version by replacing the flick kick with a touch forward, turning the feet in on the upbeat, and turning them out on each step and touch.
- To try the 1940s Lindy hop version of the Charleston, do a low flick kick forward with the left while making a small hop on the right. Make a small leap on the left while doing a low flick kick forward with the right and then hop on the left. Do a low flick kick to the side with the right foot, step back on the right foot, and finish with a ball change back front with the left foot and then the right foot. Repeat. Try reversing feet.
Shorty George
- Shorty George: a step with the knees together, stepping slightly forward on one foot while swinging the knees and hips to the same side as the stepping foot with the heels barely off the ground. Repeat to the other side and in sequence.
Self-Check
- The Shorty George was named after jitterbug and Lindy hop dancer "Shorty" George Snowden in the 1930s. He could do this step underneath his partner's long legs.
- Make this step fun. Find your own way of doing it and don't try to be too correct.
Crazy Legs
- Crazy legs: a step donewith the knees bent and a forced arch on both feet. On the "and" count, both knees open up as weight shifts to one foot. On the "a" count, both knees return to the original position. The step was popularized in the 1940s in the Lindy hop.
Self-Check
- This step should create the comical effect of the legs looking as if they are made of rubber.
- Stay off the heels the entire time.
Scissor Step
- Scissor step: a small leap onto one foot while extending the opposite leg to the side with the heel touching the floor and then doing a ball change underneath yourself, leading with the extended leg and repeating on the other side.
Self-Check
- The flexed foot is the one that does the ball of the ball change on the way back in.
- After the coordination and sequence of the feet are consistent, work on staying with the beat.
These jazz dance students are performing the scissor step, a quick footwork step that requires the coordination of a small leap, a touch, and a ball change.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Benefits of Studying Jazz Dance
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves.
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves. Jazz dance today, in all its forms, still maintains that joyous excitement. But studying jazz dance offers benefits beyond just sheer enjoyment, such as physical fitness, artistic expression, and practical cross-training skills for aspiring dancers.
Health and Physical Fitness
The health and physical fitness benefits of jazz dance include increased strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. The athletic, full-bodied nature of jazz dance develops arm strength from floor work, leg strength from jumps, and core strength from coordinating the limbs. Jazz dance classes consist of stretching sequences that lengthen the larger muscles of the legs and lower back. Increased flexibility and range of motion in the hips, shoulders, and spine commonly develop from jazz dance training. Challenging steps and combinations, in which the upper and lower body parallel and contrast each other in numerous ways, create increased coordination in jazz dancers. Remember the old challenge to rub your head and pat your tummy? That task becomes simple for jazz dancers who learn complex rhythmic patterns. Besides the strength, flexibility, and coordination developed in jazz dance, the infectious, high-energy rhythmic music of a jazz dance class leads to increased endurance and stamina.
Safety Tip
As a dance student, you need to be able to distinguish good pain from bad pain. Good pain comes from strength, stretching, and endurance exercises that expand the ability of the body. These pains may feel uncomfortable, but they are beneficial. Bad pain comes from pushing the body too far too fast, and it leads to injury. These pains tend to be sharp and sudden. Listen to your body to find the edge of good pain and do not go past it.
Artistic Expression
Alongside the physical benefits of jazz dance, the ability to express the creative self through movement allows a full-bodied approach to sharing personal emotions and artistic insights. Because the body explores physical movement in jazz dance class while simultaneously allowing a free flow of personal expression, both a release and a strengthening of the mind - body connection occur. Euphoric feelings that jazz dancers sometimes refer to as a rush or high often result.
Cross-Training
Besides gaining the physical and emotional benefits of studying jazz dance, dancers who study other forms of dance gain in further practical ways. The emphasis in jazz dance on rhythmic complexity and dynamic performance helps ballet and modern dancers enhance their ability as dancers. Although ballet training develops incredible grace, the codified technique often becomes rhythmically predictable and dynamically smooth. Modern dance training often creates organically connected and grounded dancers who may become restricted dynamically. Ballet and modern dancers trained in jazz dance add intricate rhythmic coordination and the ability to add dynamic performance qualities to their range, making jazz dance an important part of training for versatile dancers. Combining these practical skills for aspiring dancers with enhanced physical fitness, artistic expression, and an overall joyful experience provides a self-evident answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" Now that you have learned the definition of jazz dance and reviewed the benefits, you will want to know the rules of class.
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Positions of the Feet
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position.
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position. Derived from classical ballet, the turned-out positions are called classical positions in jazz dance class.
- Neutral position: feet apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets and parallel to each other (see figure 5.4).
Neutral foot position.
- First position: insides of the feet together and parallel to each other (figure 5.5).
Parallel first position.
- Second position: feet farther than hip-distance apart and parallel to each other (figure 5.6).
Parallel second position.
- Fourth position: one foot forward of the other and the back heel lifted off the floor, as shown in figure 5.7 in plié.
Parallel fourth position.
- Classical first position: feet in a V formation because of the natural turnout from the hip socket (figure 5.8).
Classical first position.
- Classical second position: feet apart about the length of one foot and naturally turned out (figure 5.9).
Classical second position.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Traditional Jazz Steps
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures.
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures. In this section, they are presented in historical order, starting with the oldest. Often, traditional jazz steps are recycled into new dance styles. As you explore these steps, see whether you can recognize aspects or even the whole step in current dance styles.
Flick Kick
- Flick kick: a kick performed by lifting a knee while bent, extending the leg sharply, and then bending it again on the way down. This step can be done small, medium, or large.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
Cakewalk
- Cakewalk: a leaping kick forward that begins with a small leap onto one foot while the other leg flick kicks and is then immediately repeated on the other side. This step is often done with the torso leaning slightly backward.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
- Leap immediately after the flick kick onto that same leg to repeat on the other side.
Did You Know?
The cakewalk was a popular dance tradition among slaves on plantations in the 19th century. White performers appropriated the step and presented it in minstrel shows.
Sugar
- Sugar: starts with the feet in jazz second position and weight equally on both feet. Change weight to the ball of the left foot and pivot to the right on the ball of the left foot until the left toe is pointed to the right. At same time step on ball of the right foot with the toe pointed to the right. Reverse. The step can be done on a straight leg or with knees bent, on the balls of the feet, or on the whole foot.
Self-Check
- Let the hips switch from side to side but keep the torso facing front.
- Stay on the balls of the feet and stay with the music. Try changing tempos.
Charleston
- Charleston: a step forward on one foot, small flick kick forward with the other foot, step back with the free foot, and then touch behind with the original foot.
Self-Check
- For variation, try the 1920s flapper version by replacing the flick kick with a touch forward, turning the feet in on the upbeat, and turning them out on each step and touch.
- To try the 1940s Lindy hop version of the Charleston, do a low flick kick forward with the left while making a small hop on the right. Make a small leap on the left while doing a low flick kick forward with the right and then hop on the left. Do a low flick kick to the side with the right foot, step back on the right foot, and finish with a ball change back front with the left foot and then the right foot. Repeat. Try reversing feet.
Shorty George
- Shorty George: a step with the knees together, stepping slightly forward on one foot while swinging the knees and hips to the same side as the stepping foot with the heels barely off the ground. Repeat to the other side and in sequence.
Self-Check
- The Shorty George was named after jitterbug and Lindy hop dancer "Shorty" George Snowden in the 1930s. He could do this step underneath his partner's long legs.
- Make this step fun. Find your own way of doing it and don't try to be too correct.
Crazy Legs
- Crazy legs: a step donewith the knees bent and a forced arch on both feet. On the "and" count, both knees open up as weight shifts to one foot. On the "a" count, both knees return to the original position. The step was popularized in the 1940s in the Lindy hop.
Self-Check
- This step should create the comical effect of the legs looking as if they are made of rubber.
- Stay off the heels the entire time.
Scissor Step
- Scissor step: a small leap onto one foot while extending the opposite leg to the side with the heel touching the floor and then doing a ball change underneath yourself, leading with the extended leg and repeating on the other side.
Self-Check
- The flexed foot is the one that does the ball of the ball change on the way back in.
- After the coordination and sequence of the feet are consistent, work on staying with the beat.
These jazz dance students are performing the scissor step, a quick footwork step that requires the coordination of a small leap, a touch, and a ball change.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Benefits of Studying Jazz Dance
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves.
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves. Jazz dance today, in all its forms, still maintains that joyous excitement. But studying jazz dance offers benefits beyond just sheer enjoyment, such as physical fitness, artistic expression, and practical cross-training skills for aspiring dancers.
Health and Physical Fitness
The health and physical fitness benefits of jazz dance include increased strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. The athletic, full-bodied nature of jazz dance develops arm strength from floor work, leg strength from jumps, and core strength from coordinating the limbs. Jazz dance classes consist of stretching sequences that lengthen the larger muscles of the legs and lower back. Increased flexibility and range of motion in the hips, shoulders, and spine commonly develop from jazz dance training. Challenging steps and combinations, in which the upper and lower body parallel and contrast each other in numerous ways, create increased coordination in jazz dancers. Remember the old challenge to rub your head and pat your tummy? That task becomes simple for jazz dancers who learn complex rhythmic patterns. Besides the strength, flexibility, and coordination developed in jazz dance, the infectious, high-energy rhythmic music of a jazz dance class leads to increased endurance and stamina.
Safety Tip
As a dance student, you need to be able to distinguish good pain from bad pain. Good pain comes from strength, stretching, and endurance exercises that expand the ability of the body. These pains may feel uncomfortable, but they are beneficial. Bad pain comes from pushing the body too far too fast, and it leads to injury. These pains tend to be sharp and sudden. Listen to your body to find the edge of good pain and do not go past it.
Artistic Expression
Alongside the physical benefits of jazz dance, the ability to express the creative self through movement allows a full-bodied approach to sharing personal emotions and artistic insights. Because the body explores physical movement in jazz dance class while simultaneously allowing a free flow of personal expression, both a release and a strengthening of the mind - body connection occur. Euphoric feelings that jazz dancers sometimes refer to as a rush or high often result.
Cross-Training
Besides gaining the physical and emotional benefits of studying jazz dance, dancers who study other forms of dance gain in further practical ways. The emphasis in jazz dance on rhythmic complexity and dynamic performance helps ballet and modern dancers enhance their ability as dancers. Although ballet training develops incredible grace, the codified technique often becomes rhythmically predictable and dynamically smooth. Modern dance training often creates organically connected and grounded dancers who may become restricted dynamically. Ballet and modern dancers trained in jazz dance add intricate rhythmic coordination and the ability to add dynamic performance qualities to their range, making jazz dance an important part of training for versatile dancers. Combining these practical skills for aspiring dancers with enhanced physical fitness, artistic expression, and an overall joyful experience provides a self-evident answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" Now that you have learned the definition of jazz dance and reviewed the benefits, you will want to know the rules of class.
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Positions of the Feet
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position.
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position. Derived from classical ballet, the turned-out positions are called classical positions in jazz dance class.
- Neutral position: feet apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets and parallel to each other (see figure 5.4).
Neutral foot position.
- First position: insides of the feet together and parallel to each other (figure 5.5).
Parallel first position.
- Second position: feet farther than hip-distance apart and parallel to each other (figure 5.6).
Parallel second position.
- Fourth position: one foot forward of the other and the back heel lifted off the floor, as shown in figure 5.7 in plié.
Parallel fourth position.
- Classical first position: feet in a V formation because of the natural turnout from the hip socket (figure 5.8).
Classical first position.
- Classical second position: feet apart about the length of one foot and naturally turned out (figure 5.9).
Classical second position.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Traditional Jazz Steps
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures.
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures. In this section, they are presented in historical order, starting with the oldest. Often, traditional jazz steps are recycled into new dance styles. As you explore these steps, see whether you can recognize aspects or even the whole step in current dance styles.
Flick Kick
- Flick kick: a kick performed by lifting a knee while bent, extending the leg sharply, and then bending it again on the way down. This step can be done small, medium, or large.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
Cakewalk
- Cakewalk: a leaping kick forward that begins with a small leap onto one foot while the other leg flick kicks and is then immediately repeated on the other side. This step is often done with the torso leaning slightly backward.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
- Leap immediately after the flick kick onto that same leg to repeat on the other side.
Did You Know?
The cakewalk was a popular dance tradition among slaves on plantations in the 19th century. White performers appropriated the step and presented it in minstrel shows.
Sugar
- Sugar: starts with the feet in jazz second position and weight equally on both feet. Change weight to the ball of the left foot and pivot to the right on the ball of the left foot until the left toe is pointed to the right. At same time step on ball of the right foot with the toe pointed to the right. Reverse. The step can be done on a straight leg or with knees bent, on the balls of the feet, or on the whole foot.
Self-Check
- Let the hips switch from side to side but keep the torso facing front.
- Stay on the balls of the feet and stay with the music. Try changing tempos.
Charleston
- Charleston: a step forward on one foot, small flick kick forward with the other foot, step back with the free foot, and then touch behind with the original foot.
Self-Check
- For variation, try the 1920s flapper version by replacing the flick kick with a touch forward, turning the feet in on the upbeat, and turning them out on each step and touch.
- To try the 1940s Lindy hop version of the Charleston, do a low flick kick forward with the left while making a small hop on the right. Make a small leap on the left while doing a low flick kick forward with the right and then hop on the left. Do a low flick kick to the side with the right foot, step back on the right foot, and finish with a ball change back front with the left foot and then the right foot. Repeat. Try reversing feet.
Shorty George
- Shorty George: a step with the knees together, stepping slightly forward on one foot while swinging the knees and hips to the same side as the stepping foot with the heels barely off the ground. Repeat to the other side and in sequence.
Self-Check
- The Shorty George was named after jitterbug and Lindy hop dancer "Shorty" George Snowden in the 1930s. He could do this step underneath his partner's long legs.
- Make this step fun. Find your own way of doing it and don't try to be too correct.
Crazy Legs
- Crazy legs: a step donewith the knees bent and a forced arch on both feet. On the "and" count, both knees open up as weight shifts to one foot. On the "a" count, both knees return to the original position. The step was popularized in the 1940s in the Lindy hop.
Self-Check
- This step should create the comical effect of the legs looking as if they are made of rubber.
- Stay off the heels the entire time.
Scissor Step
- Scissor step: a small leap onto one foot while extending the opposite leg to the side with the heel touching the floor and then doing a ball change underneath yourself, leading with the extended leg and repeating on the other side.
Self-Check
- The flexed foot is the one that does the ball of the ball change on the way back in.
- After the coordination and sequence of the feet are consistent, work on staying with the beat.
These jazz dance students are performing the scissor step, a quick footwork step that requires the coordination of a small leap, a touch, and a ball change.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Benefits of Studying Jazz Dance
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves.
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves. Jazz dance today, in all its forms, still maintains that joyous excitement. But studying jazz dance offers benefits beyond just sheer enjoyment, such as physical fitness, artistic expression, and practical cross-training skills for aspiring dancers.
Health and Physical Fitness
The health and physical fitness benefits of jazz dance include increased strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. The athletic, full-bodied nature of jazz dance develops arm strength from floor work, leg strength from jumps, and core strength from coordinating the limbs. Jazz dance classes consist of stretching sequences that lengthen the larger muscles of the legs and lower back. Increased flexibility and range of motion in the hips, shoulders, and spine commonly develop from jazz dance training. Challenging steps and combinations, in which the upper and lower body parallel and contrast each other in numerous ways, create increased coordination in jazz dancers. Remember the old challenge to rub your head and pat your tummy? That task becomes simple for jazz dancers who learn complex rhythmic patterns. Besides the strength, flexibility, and coordination developed in jazz dance, the infectious, high-energy rhythmic music of a jazz dance class leads to increased endurance and stamina.
Safety Tip
As a dance student, you need to be able to distinguish good pain from bad pain. Good pain comes from strength, stretching, and endurance exercises that expand the ability of the body. These pains may feel uncomfortable, but they are beneficial. Bad pain comes from pushing the body too far too fast, and it leads to injury. These pains tend to be sharp and sudden. Listen to your body to find the edge of good pain and do not go past it.
Artistic Expression
Alongside the physical benefits of jazz dance, the ability to express the creative self through movement allows a full-bodied approach to sharing personal emotions and artistic insights. Because the body explores physical movement in jazz dance class while simultaneously allowing a free flow of personal expression, both a release and a strengthening of the mind - body connection occur. Euphoric feelings that jazz dancers sometimes refer to as a rush or high often result.
Cross-Training
Besides gaining the physical and emotional benefits of studying jazz dance, dancers who study other forms of dance gain in further practical ways. The emphasis in jazz dance on rhythmic complexity and dynamic performance helps ballet and modern dancers enhance their ability as dancers. Although ballet training develops incredible grace, the codified technique often becomes rhythmically predictable and dynamically smooth. Modern dance training often creates organically connected and grounded dancers who may become restricted dynamically. Ballet and modern dancers trained in jazz dance add intricate rhythmic coordination and the ability to add dynamic performance qualities to their range, making jazz dance an important part of training for versatile dancers. Combining these practical skills for aspiring dancers with enhanced physical fitness, artistic expression, and an overall joyful experience provides a self-evident answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" Now that you have learned the definition of jazz dance and reviewed the benefits, you will want to know the rules of class.
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Positions of the Feet
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position.
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position. Derived from classical ballet, the turned-out positions are called classical positions in jazz dance class.
- Neutral position: feet apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets and parallel to each other (see figure 5.4).
Neutral foot position.
- First position: insides of the feet together and parallel to each other (figure 5.5).
Parallel first position.
- Second position: feet farther than hip-distance apart and parallel to each other (figure 5.6).
Parallel second position.
- Fourth position: one foot forward of the other and the back heel lifted off the floor, as shown in figure 5.7 in plié.
Parallel fourth position.
- Classical first position: feet in a V formation because of the natural turnout from the hip socket (figure 5.8).
Classical first position.
- Classical second position: feet apart about the length of one foot and naturally turned out (figure 5.9).
Classical second position.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Traditional Jazz Steps
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures.
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures. In this section, they are presented in historical order, starting with the oldest. Often, traditional jazz steps are recycled into new dance styles. As you explore these steps, see whether you can recognize aspects or even the whole step in current dance styles.
Flick Kick
- Flick kick: a kick performed by lifting a knee while bent, extending the leg sharply, and then bending it again on the way down. This step can be done small, medium, or large.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
Cakewalk
- Cakewalk: a leaping kick forward that begins with a small leap onto one foot while the other leg flick kicks and is then immediately repeated on the other side. This step is often done with the torso leaning slightly backward.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
- Leap immediately after the flick kick onto that same leg to repeat on the other side.
Did You Know?
The cakewalk was a popular dance tradition among slaves on plantations in the 19th century. White performers appropriated the step and presented it in minstrel shows.
Sugar
- Sugar: starts with the feet in jazz second position and weight equally on both feet. Change weight to the ball of the left foot and pivot to the right on the ball of the left foot until the left toe is pointed to the right. At same time step on ball of the right foot with the toe pointed to the right. Reverse. The step can be done on a straight leg or with knees bent, on the balls of the feet, or on the whole foot.
Self-Check
- Let the hips switch from side to side but keep the torso facing front.
- Stay on the balls of the feet and stay with the music. Try changing tempos.
Charleston
- Charleston: a step forward on one foot, small flick kick forward with the other foot, step back with the free foot, and then touch behind with the original foot.
Self-Check
- For variation, try the 1920s flapper version by replacing the flick kick with a touch forward, turning the feet in on the upbeat, and turning them out on each step and touch.
- To try the 1940s Lindy hop version of the Charleston, do a low flick kick forward with the left while making a small hop on the right. Make a small leap on the left while doing a low flick kick forward with the right and then hop on the left. Do a low flick kick to the side with the right foot, step back on the right foot, and finish with a ball change back front with the left foot and then the right foot. Repeat. Try reversing feet.
Shorty George
- Shorty George: a step with the knees together, stepping slightly forward on one foot while swinging the knees and hips to the same side as the stepping foot with the heels barely off the ground. Repeat to the other side and in sequence.
Self-Check
- The Shorty George was named after jitterbug and Lindy hop dancer "Shorty" George Snowden in the 1930s. He could do this step underneath his partner's long legs.
- Make this step fun. Find your own way of doing it and don't try to be too correct.
Crazy Legs
- Crazy legs: a step donewith the knees bent and a forced arch on both feet. On the "and" count, both knees open up as weight shifts to one foot. On the "a" count, both knees return to the original position. The step was popularized in the 1940s in the Lindy hop.
Self-Check
- This step should create the comical effect of the legs looking as if they are made of rubber.
- Stay off the heels the entire time.
Scissor Step
- Scissor step: a small leap onto one foot while extending the opposite leg to the side with the heel touching the floor and then doing a ball change underneath yourself, leading with the extended leg and repeating on the other side.
Self-Check
- The flexed foot is the one that does the ball of the ball change on the way back in.
- After the coordination and sequence of the feet are consistent, work on staying with the beat.
These jazz dance students are performing the scissor step, a quick footwork step that requires the coordination of a small leap, a touch, and a ball change.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Benefits of Studying Jazz Dance
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves.
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves. Jazz dance today, in all its forms, still maintains that joyous excitement. But studying jazz dance offers benefits beyond just sheer enjoyment, such as physical fitness, artistic expression, and practical cross-training skills for aspiring dancers.
Health and Physical Fitness
The health and physical fitness benefits of jazz dance include increased strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. The athletic, full-bodied nature of jazz dance develops arm strength from floor work, leg strength from jumps, and core strength from coordinating the limbs. Jazz dance classes consist of stretching sequences that lengthen the larger muscles of the legs and lower back. Increased flexibility and range of motion in the hips, shoulders, and spine commonly develop from jazz dance training. Challenging steps and combinations, in which the upper and lower body parallel and contrast each other in numerous ways, create increased coordination in jazz dancers. Remember the old challenge to rub your head and pat your tummy? That task becomes simple for jazz dancers who learn complex rhythmic patterns. Besides the strength, flexibility, and coordination developed in jazz dance, the infectious, high-energy rhythmic music of a jazz dance class leads to increased endurance and stamina.
Safety Tip
As a dance student, you need to be able to distinguish good pain from bad pain. Good pain comes from strength, stretching, and endurance exercises that expand the ability of the body. These pains may feel uncomfortable, but they are beneficial. Bad pain comes from pushing the body too far too fast, and it leads to injury. These pains tend to be sharp and sudden. Listen to your body to find the edge of good pain and do not go past it.
Artistic Expression
Alongside the physical benefits of jazz dance, the ability to express the creative self through movement allows a full-bodied approach to sharing personal emotions and artistic insights. Because the body explores physical movement in jazz dance class while simultaneously allowing a free flow of personal expression, both a release and a strengthening of the mind - body connection occur. Euphoric feelings that jazz dancers sometimes refer to as a rush or high often result.
Cross-Training
Besides gaining the physical and emotional benefits of studying jazz dance, dancers who study other forms of dance gain in further practical ways. The emphasis in jazz dance on rhythmic complexity and dynamic performance helps ballet and modern dancers enhance their ability as dancers. Although ballet training develops incredible grace, the codified technique often becomes rhythmically predictable and dynamically smooth. Modern dance training often creates organically connected and grounded dancers who may become restricted dynamically. Ballet and modern dancers trained in jazz dance add intricate rhythmic coordination and the ability to add dynamic performance qualities to their range, making jazz dance an important part of training for versatile dancers. Combining these practical skills for aspiring dancers with enhanced physical fitness, artistic expression, and an overall joyful experience provides a self-evident answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" Now that you have learned the definition of jazz dance and reviewed the benefits, you will want to know the rules of class.
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Positions of the Feet
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position.
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position. Derived from classical ballet, the turned-out positions are called classical positions in jazz dance class.
- Neutral position: feet apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets and parallel to each other (see figure 5.4).
Neutral foot position.
- First position: insides of the feet together and parallel to each other (figure 5.5).
Parallel first position.
- Second position: feet farther than hip-distance apart and parallel to each other (figure 5.6).
Parallel second position.
- Fourth position: one foot forward of the other and the back heel lifted off the floor, as shown in figure 5.7 in plié.
Parallel fourth position.
- Classical first position: feet in a V formation because of the natural turnout from the hip socket (figure 5.8).
Classical first position.
- Classical second position: feet apart about the length of one foot and naturally turned out (figure 5.9).
Classical second position.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Traditional Jazz Steps
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures.
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures. In this section, they are presented in historical order, starting with the oldest. Often, traditional jazz steps are recycled into new dance styles. As you explore these steps, see whether you can recognize aspects or even the whole step in current dance styles.
Flick Kick
- Flick kick: a kick performed by lifting a knee while bent, extending the leg sharply, and then bending it again on the way down. This step can be done small, medium, or large.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
Cakewalk
- Cakewalk: a leaping kick forward that begins with a small leap onto one foot while the other leg flick kicks and is then immediately repeated on the other side. This step is often done with the torso leaning slightly backward.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
- Leap immediately after the flick kick onto that same leg to repeat on the other side.
Did You Know?
The cakewalk was a popular dance tradition among slaves on plantations in the 19th century. White performers appropriated the step and presented it in minstrel shows.
Sugar
- Sugar: starts with the feet in jazz second position and weight equally on both feet. Change weight to the ball of the left foot and pivot to the right on the ball of the left foot until the left toe is pointed to the right. At same time step on ball of the right foot with the toe pointed to the right. Reverse. The step can be done on a straight leg or with knees bent, on the balls of the feet, or on the whole foot.
Self-Check
- Let the hips switch from side to side but keep the torso facing front.
- Stay on the balls of the feet and stay with the music. Try changing tempos.
Charleston
- Charleston: a step forward on one foot, small flick kick forward with the other foot, step back with the free foot, and then touch behind with the original foot.
Self-Check
- For variation, try the 1920s flapper version by replacing the flick kick with a touch forward, turning the feet in on the upbeat, and turning them out on each step and touch.
- To try the 1940s Lindy hop version of the Charleston, do a low flick kick forward with the left while making a small hop on the right. Make a small leap on the left while doing a low flick kick forward with the right and then hop on the left. Do a low flick kick to the side with the right foot, step back on the right foot, and finish with a ball change back front with the left foot and then the right foot. Repeat. Try reversing feet.
Shorty George
- Shorty George: a step with the knees together, stepping slightly forward on one foot while swinging the knees and hips to the same side as the stepping foot with the heels barely off the ground. Repeat to the other side and in sequence.
Self-Check
- The Shorty George was named after jitterbug and Lindy hop dancer "Shorty" George Snowden in the 1930s. He could do this step underneath his partner's long legs.
- Make this step fun. Find your own way of doing it and don't try to be too correct.
Crazy Legs
- Crazy legs: a step donewith the knees bent and a forced arch on both feet. On the "and" count, both knees open up as weight shifts to one foot. On the "a" count, both knees return to the original position. The step was popularized in the 1940s in the Lindy hop.
Self-Check
- This step should create the comical effect of the legs looking as if they are made of rubber.
- Stay off the heels the entire time.
Scissor Step
- Scissor step: a small leap onto one foot while extending the opposite leg to the side with the heel touching the floor and then doing a ball change underneath yourself, leading with the extended leg and repeating on the other side.
Self-Check
- The flexed foot is the one that does the ball of the ball change on the way back in.
- After the coordination and sequence of the feet are consistent, work on staying with the beat.
These jazz dance students are performing the scissor step, a quick footwork step that requires the coordination of a small leap, a touch, and a ball change.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Benefits of Studying Jazz Dance
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves.
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves. Jazz dance today, in all its forms, still maintains that joyous excitement. But studying jazz dance offers benefits beyond just sheer enjoyment, such as physical fitness, artistic expression, and practical cross-training skills for aspiring dancers.
Health and Physical Fitness
The health and physical fitness benefits of jazz dance include increased strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. The athletic, full-bodied nature of jazz dance develops arm strength from floor work, leg strength from jumps, and core strength from coordinating the limbs. Jazz dance classes consist of stretching sequences that lengthen the larger muscles of the legs and lower back. Increased flexibility and range of motion in the hips, shoulders, and spine commonly develop from jazz dance training. Challenging steps and combinations, in which the upper and lower body parallel and contrast each other in numerous ways, create increased coordination in jazz dancers. Remember the old challenge to rub your head and pat your tummy? That task becomes simple for jazz dancers who learn complex rhythmic patterns. Besides the strength, flexibility, and coordination developed in jazz dance, the infectious, high-energy rhythmic music of a jazz dance class leads to increased endurance and stamina.
Safety Tip
As a dance student, you need to be able to distinguish good pain from bad pain. Good pain comes from strength, stretching, and endurance exercises that expand the ability of the body. These pains may feel uncomfortable, but they are beneficial. Bad pain comes from pushing the body too far too fast, and it leads to injury. These pains tend to be sharp and sudden. Listen to your body to find the edge of good pain and do not go past it.
Artistic Expression
Alongside the physical benefits of jazz dance, the ability to express the creative self through movement allows a full-bodied approach to sharing personal emotions and artistic insights. Because the body explores physical movement in jazz dance class while simultaneously allowing a free flow of personal expression, both a release and a strengthening of the mind - body connection occur. Euphoric feelings that jazz dancers sometimes refer to as a rush or high often result.
Cross-Training
Besides gaining the physical and emotional benefits of studying jazz dance, dancers who study other forms of dance gain in further practical ways. The emphasis in jazz dance on rhythmic complexity and dynamic performance helps ballet and modern dancers enhance their ability as dancers. Although ballet training develops incredible grace, the codified technique often becomes rhythmically predictable and dynamically smooth. Modern dance training often creates organically connected and grounded dancers who may become restricted dynamically. Ballet and modern dancers trained in jazz dance add intricate rhythmic coordination and the ability to add dynamic performance qualities to their range, making jazz dance an important part of training for versatile dancers. Combining these practical skills for aspiring dancers with enhanced physical fitness, artistic expression, and an overall joyful experience provides a self-evident answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" Now that you have learned the definition of jazz dance and reviewed the benefits, you will want to know the rules of class.
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Positions of the Feet
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position.
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position. Derived from classical ballet, the turned-out positions are called classical positions in jazz dance class.
- Neutral position: feet apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets and parallel to each other (see figure 5.4).
Neutral foot position.
- First position: insides of the feet together and parallel to each other (figure 5.5).
Parallel first position.
- Second position: feet farther than hip-distance apart and parallel to each other (figure 5.6).
Parallel second position.
- Fourth position: one foot forward of the other and the back heel lifted off the floor, as shown in figure 5.7 in plié.
Parallel fourth position.
- Classical first position: feet in a V formation because of the natural turnout from the hip socket (figure 5.8).
Classical first position.
- Classical second position: feet apart about the length of one foot and naturally turned out (figure 5.9).
Classical second position.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Traditional Jazz Steps
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures.
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures. In this section, they are presented in historical order, starting with the oldest. Often, traditional jazz steps are recycled into new dance styles. As you explore these steps, see whether you can recognize aspects or even the whole step in current dance styles.
Flick Kick
- Flick kick: a kick performed by lifting a knee while bent, extending the leg sharply, and then bending it again on the way down. This step can be done small, medium, or large.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
Cakewalk
- Cakewalk: a leaping kick forward that begins with a small leap onto one foot while the other leg flick kicks and is then immediately repeated on the other side. This step is often done with the torso leaning slightly backward.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
- Leap immediately after the flick kick onto that same leg to repeat on the other side.
Did You Know?
The cakewalk was a popular dance tradition among slaves on plantations in the 19th century. White performers appropriated the step and presented it in minstrel shows.
Sugar
- Sugar: starts with the feet in jazz second position and weight equally on both feet. Change weight to the ball of the left foot and pivot to the right on the ball of the left foot until the left toe is pointed to the right. At same time step on ball of the right foot with the toe pointed to the right. Reverse. The step can be done on a straight leg or with knees bent, on the balls of the feet, or on the whole foot.
Self-Check
- Let the hips switch from side to side but keep the torso facing front.
- Stay on the balls of the feet and stay with the music. Try changing tempos.
Charleston
- Charleston: a step forward on one foot, small flick kick forward with the other foot, step back with the free foot, and then touch behind with the original foot.
Self-Check
- For variation, try the 1920s flapper version by replacing the flick kick with a touch forward, turning the feet in on the upbeat, and turning them out on each step and touch.
- To try the 1940s Lindy hop version of the Charleston, do a low flick kick forward with the left while making a small hop on the right. Make a small leap on the left while doing a low flick kick forward with the right and then hop on the left. Do a low flick kick to the side with the right foot, step back on the right foot, and finish with a ball change back front with the left foot and then the right foot. Repeat. Try reversing feet.
Shorty George
- Shorty George: a step with the knees together, stepping slightly forward on one foot while swinging the knees and hips to the same side as the stepping foot with the heels barely off the ground. Repeat to the other side and in sequence.
Self-Check
- The Shorty George was named after jitterbug and Lindy hop dancer "Shorty" George Snowden in the 1930s. He could do this step underneath his partner's long legs.
- Make this step fun. Find your own way of doing it and don't try to be too correct.
Crazy Legs
- Crazy legs: a step donewith the knees bent and a forced arch on both feet. On the "and" count, both knees open up as weight shifts to one foot. On the "a" count, both knees return to the original position. The step was popularized in the 1940s in the Lindy hop.
Self-Check
- This step should create the comical effect of the legs looking as if they are made of rubber.
- Stay off the heels the entire time.
Scissor Step
- Scissor step: a small leap onto one foot while extending the opposite leg to the side with the heel touching the floor and then doing a ball change underneath yourself, leading with the extended leg and repeating on the other side.
Self-Check
- The flexed foot is the one that does the ball of the ball change on the way back in.
- After the coordination and sequence of the feet are consistent, work on staying with the beat.
These jazz dance students are performing the scissor step, a quick footwork step that requires the coordination of a small leap, a touch, and a ball change.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Benefits of Studying Jazz Dance
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves.
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves. Jazz dance today, in all its forms, still maintains that joyous excitement. But studying jazz dance offers benefits beyond just sheer enjoyment, such as physical fitness, artistic expression, and practical cross-training skills for aspiring dancers.
Health and Physical Fitness
The health and physical fitness benefits of jazz dance include increased strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. The athletic, full-bodied nature of jazz dance develops arm strength from floor work, leg strength from jumps, and core strength from coordinating the limbs. Jazz dance classes consist of stretching sequences that lengthen the larger muscles of the legs and lower back. Increased flexibility and range of motion in the hips, shoulders, and spine commonly develop from jazz dance training. Challenging steps and combinations, in which the upper and lower body parallel and contrast each other in numerous ways, create increased coordination in jazz dancers. Remember the old challenge to rub your head and pat your tummy? That task becomes simple for jazz dancers who learn complex rhythmic patterns. Besides the strength, flexibility, and coordination developed in jazz dance, the infectious, high-energy rhythmic music of a jazz dance class leads to increased endurance and stamina.
Safety Tip
As a dance student, you need to be able to distinguish good pain from bad pain. Good pain comes from strength, stretching, and endurance exercises that expand the ability of the body. These pains may feel uncomfortable, but they are beneficial. Bad pain comes from pushing the body too far too fast, and it leads to injury. These pains tend to be sharp and sudden. Listen to your body to find the edge of good pain and do not go past it.
Artistic Expression
Alongside the physical benefits of jazz dance, the ability to express the creative self through movement allows a full-bodied approach to sharing personal emotions and artistic insights. Because the body explores physical movement in jazz dance class while simultaneously allowing a free flow of personal expression, both a release and a strengthening of the mind - body connection occur. Euphoric feelings that jazz dancers sometimes refer to as a rush or high often result.
Cross-Training
Besides gaining the physical and emotional benefits of studying jazz dance, dancers who study other forms of dance gain in further practical ways. The emphasis in jazz dance on rhythmic complexity and dynamic performance helps ballet and modern dancers enhance their ability as dancers. Although ballet training develops incredible grace, the codified technique often becomes rhythmically predictable and dynamically smooth. Modern dance training often creates organically connected and grounded dancers who may become restricted dynamically. Ballet and modern dancers trained in jazz dance add intricate rhythmic coordination and the ability to add dynamic performance qualities to their range, making jazz dance an important part of training for versatile dancers. Combining these practical skills for aspiring dancers with enhanced physical fitness, artistic expression, and an overall joyful experience provides a self-evident answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" Now that you have learned the definition of jazz dance and reviewed the benefits, you will want to know the rules of class.
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Positions of the Feet
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position.
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position. Derived from classical ballet, the turned-out positions are called classical positions in jazz dance class.
- Neutral position: feet apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets and parallel to each other (see figure 5.4).
Neutral foot position.
- First position: insides of the feet together and parallel to each other (figure 5.5).
Parallel first position.
- Second position: feet farther than hip-distance apart and parallel to each other (figure 5.6).
Parallel second position.
- Fourth position: one foot forward of the other and the back heel lifted off the floor, as shown in figure 5.7 in plié.
Parallel fourth position.
- Classical first position: feet in a V formation because of the natural turnout from the hip socket (figure 5.8).
Classical first position.
- Classical second position: feet apart about the length of one foot and naturally turned out (figure 5.9).
Classical second position.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Traditional Jazz Steps
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures.
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures. In this section, they are presented in historical order, starting with the oldest. Often, traditional jazz steps are recycled into new dance styles. As you explore these steps, see whether you can recognize aspects or even the whole step in current dance styles.
Flick Kick
- Flick kick: a kick performed by lifting a knee while bent, extending the leg sharply, and then bending it again on the way down. This step can be done small, medium, or large.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
Cakewalk
- Cakewalk: a leaping kick forward that begins with a small leap onto one foot while the other leg flick kicks and is then immediately repeated on the other side. This step is often done with the torso leaning slightly backward.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
- Leap immediately after the flick kick onto that same leg to repeat on the other side.
Did You Know?
The cakewalk was a popular dance tradition among slaves on plantations in the 19th century. White performers appropriated the step and presented it in minstrel shows.
Sugar
- Sugar: starts with the feet in jazz second position and weight equally on both feet. Change weight to the ball of the left foot and pivot to the right on the ball of the left foot until the left toe is pointed to the right. At same time step on ball of the right foot with the toe pointed to the right. Reverse. The step can be done on a straight leg or with knees bent, on the balls of the feet, or on the whole foot.
Self-Check
- Let the hips switch from side to side but keep the torso facing front.
- Stay on the balls of the feet and stay with the music. Try changing tempos.
Charleston
- Charleston: a step forward on one foot, small flick kick forward with the other foot, step back with the free foot, and then touch behind with the original foot.
Self-Check
- For variation, try the 1920s flapper version by replacing the flick kick with a touch forward, turning the feet in on the upbeat, and turning them out on each step and touch.
- To try the 1940s Lindy hop version of the Charleston, do a low flick kick forward with the left while making a small hop on the right. Make a small leap on the left while doing a low flick kick forward with the right and then hop on the left. Do a low flick kick to the side with the right foot, step back on the right foot, and finish with a ball change back front with the left foot and then the right foot. Repeat. Try reversing feet.
Shorty George
- Shorty George: a step with the knees together, stepping slightly forward on one foot while swinging the knees and hips to the same side as the stepping foot with the heels barely off the ground. Repeat to the other side and in sequence.
Self-Check
- The Shorty George was named after jitterbug and Lindy hop dancer "Shorty" George Snowden in the 1930s. He could do this step underneath his partner's long legs.
- Make this step fun. Find your own way of doing it and don't try to be too correct.
Crazy Legs
- Crazy legs: a step donewith the knees bent and a forced arch on both feet. On the "and" count, both knees open up as weight shifts to one foot. On the "a" count, both knees return to the original position. The step was popularized in the 1940s in the Lindy hop.
Self-Check
- This step should create the comical effect of the legs looking as if they are made of rubber.
- Stay off the heels the entire time.
Scissor Step
- Scissor step: a small leap onto one foot while extending the opposite leg to the side with the heel touching the floor and then doing a ball change underneath yourself, leading with the extended leg and repeating on the other side.
Self-Check
- The flexed foot is the one that does the ball of the ball change on the way back in.
- After the coordination and sequence of the feet are consistent, work on staying with the beat.
These jazz dance students are performing the scissor step, a quick footwork step that requires the coordination of a small leap, a touch, and a ball change.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Benefits of Studying Jazz Dance
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves.
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves. Jazz dance today, in all its forms, still maintains that joyous excitement. But studying jazz dance offers benefits beyond just sheer enjoyment, such as physical fitness, artistic expression, and practical cross-training skills for aspiring dancers.
Health and Physical Fitness
The health and physical fitness benefits of jazz dance include increased strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. The athletic, full-bodied nature of jazz dance develops arm strength from floor work, leg strength from jumps, and core strength from coordinating the limbs. Jazz dance classes consist of stretching sequences that lengthen the larger muscles of the legs and lower back. Increased flexibility and range of motion in the hips, shoulders, and spine commonly develop from jazz dance training. Challenging steps and combinations, in which the upper and lower body parallel and contrast each other in numerous ways, create increased coordination in jazz dancers. Remember the old challenge to rub your head and pat your tummy? That task becomes simple for jazz dancers who learn complex rhythmic patterns. Besides the strength, flexibility, and coordination developed in jazz dance, the infectious, high-energy rhythmic music of a jazz dance class leads to increased endurance and stamina.
Safety Tip
As a dance student, you need to be able to distinguish good pain from bad pain. Good pain comes from strength, stretching, and endurance exercises that expand the ability of the body. These pains may feel uncomfortable, but they are beneficial. Bad pain comes from pushing the body too far too fast, and it leads to injury. These pains tend to be sharp and sudden. Listen to your body to find the edge of good pain and do not go past it.
Artistic Expression
Alongside the physical benefits of jazz dance, the ability to express the creative self through movement allows a full-bodied approach to sharing personal emotions and artistic insights. Because the body explores physical movement in jazz dance class while simultaneously allowing a free flow of personal expression, both a release and a strengthening of the mind - body connection occur. Euphoric feelings that jazz dancers sometimes refer to as a rush or high often result.
Cross-Training
Besides gaining the physical and emotional benefits of studying jazz dance, dancers who study other forms of dance gain in further practical ways. The emphasis in jazz dance on rhythmic complexity and dynamic performance helps ballet and modern dancers enhance their ability as dancers. Although ballet training develops incredible grace, the codified technique often becomes rhythmically predictable and dynamically smooth. Modern dance training often creates organically connected and grounded dancers who may become restricted dynamically. Ballet and modern dancers trained in jazz dance add intricate rhythmic coordination and the ability to add dynamic performance qualities to their range, making jazz dance an important part of training for versatile dancers. Combining these practical skills for aspiring dancers with enhanced physical fitness, artistic expression, and an overall joyful experience provides a self-evident answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" Now that you have learned the definition of jazz dance and reviewed the benefits, you will want to know the rules of class.
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Positions of the Feet
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position.
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position. Derived from classical ballet, the turned-out positions are called classical positions in jazz dance class.
- Neutral position: feet apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets and parallel to each other (see figure 5.4).
Neutral foot position.
- First position: insides of the feet together and parallel to each other (figure 5.5).
Parallel first position.
- Second position: feet farther than hip-distance apart and parallel to each other (figure 5.6).
Parallel second position.
- Fourth position: one foot forward of the other and the back heel lifted off the floor, as shown in figure 5.7 in plié.
Parallel fourth position.
- Classical first position: feet in a V formation because of the natural turnout from the hip socket (figure 5.8).
Classical first position.
- Classical second position: feet apart about the length of one foot and naturally turned out (figure 5.9).
Classical second position.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Traditional Jazz Steps
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures.
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures. In this section, they are presented in historical order, starting with the oldest. Often, traditional jazz steps are recycled into new dance styles. As you explore these steps, see whether you can recognize aspects or even the whole step in current dance styles.
Flick Kick
- Flick kick: a kick performed by lifting a knee while bent, extending the leg sharply, and then bending it again on the way down. This step can be done small, medium, or large.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
Cakewalk
- Cakewalk: a leaping kick forward that begins with a small leap onto one foot while the other leg flick kicks and is then immediately repeated on the other side. This step is often done with the torso leaning slightly backward.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
- Leap immediately after the flick kick onto that same leg to repeat on the other side.
Did You Know?
The cakewalk was a popular dance tradition among slaves on plantations in the 19th century. White performers appropriated the step and presented it in minstrel shows.
Sugar
- Sugar: starts with the feet in jazz second position and weight equally on both feet. Change weight to the ball of the left foot and pivot to the right on the ball of the left foot until the left toe is pointed to the right. At same time step on ball of the right foot with the toe pointed to the right. Reverse. The step can be done on a straight leg or with knees bent, on the balls of the feet, or on the whole foot.
Self-Check
- Let the hips switch from side to side but keep the torso facing front.
- Stay on the balls of the feet and stay with the music. Try changing tempos.
Charleston
- Charleston: a step forward on one foot, small flick kick forward with the other foot, step back with the free foot, and then touch behind with the original foot.
Self-Check
- For variation, try the 1920s flapper version by replacing the flick kick with a touch forward, turning the feet in on the upbeat, and turning them out on each step and touch.
- To try the 1940s Lindy hop version of the Charleston, do a low flick kick forward with the left while making a small hop on the right. Make a small leap on the left while doing a low flick kick forward with the right and then hop on the left. Do a low flick kick to the side with the right foot, step back on the right foot, and finish with a ball change back front with the left foot and then the right foot. Repeat. Try reversing feet.
Shorty George
- Shorty George: a step with the knees together, stepping slightly forward on one foot while swinging the knees and hips to the same side as the stepping foot with the heels barely off the ground. Repeat to the other side and in sequence.
Self-Check
- The Shorty George was named after jitterbug and Lindy hop dancer "Shorty" George Snowden in the 1930s. He could do this step underneath his partner's long legs.
- Make this step fun. Find your own way of doing it and don't try to be too correct.
Crazy Legs
- Crazy legs: a step donewith the knees bent and a forced arch on both feet. On the "and" count, both knees open up as weight shifts to one foot. On the "a" count, both knees return to the original position. The step was popularized in the 1940s in the Lindy hop.
Self-Check
- This step should create the comical effect of the legs looking as if they are made of rubber.
- Stay off the heels the entire time.
Scissor Step
- Scissor step: a small leap onto one foot while extending the opposite leg to the side with the heel touching the floor and then doing a ball change underneath yourself, leading with the extended leg and repeating on the other side.
Self-Check
- The flexed foot is the one that does the ball of the ball change on the way back in.
- After the coordination and sequence of the feet are consistent, work on staying with the beat.
These jazz dance students are performing the scissor step, a quick footwork step that requires the coordination of a small leap, a touch, and a ball change.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Benefits of Studying Jazz Dance
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves.
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves. Jazz dance today, in all its forms, still maintains that joyous excitement. But studying jazz dance offers benefits beyond just sheer enjoyment, such as physical fitness, artistic expression, and practical cross-training skills for aspiring dancers.
Health and Physical Fitness
The health and physical fitness benefits of jazz dance include increased strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. The athletic, full-bodied nature of jazz dance develops arm strength from floor work, leg strength from jumps, and core strength from coordinating the limbs. Jazz dance classes consist of stretching sequences that lengthen the larger muscles of the legs and lower back. Increased flexibility and range of motion in the hips, shoulders, and spine commonly develop from jazz dance training. Challenging steps and combinations, in which the upper and lower body parallel and contrast each other in numerous ways, create increased coordination in jazz dancers. Remember the old challenge to rub your head and pat your tummy? That task becomes simple for jazz dancers who learn complex rhythmic patterns. Besides the strength, flexibility, and coordination developed in jazz dance, the infectious, high-energy rhythmic music of a jazz dance class leads to increased endurance and stamina.
Safety Tip
As a dance student, you need to be able to distinguish good pain from bad pain. Good pain comes from strength, stretching, and endurance exercises that expand the ability of the body. These pains may feel uncomfortable, but they are beneficial. Bad pain comes from pushing the body too far too fast, and it leads to injury. These pains tend to be sharp and sudden. Listen to your body to find the edge of good pain and do not go past it.
Artistic Expression
Alongside the physical benefits of jazz dance, the ability to express the creative self through movement allows a full-bodied approach to sharing personal emotions and artistic insights. Because the body explores physical movement in jazz dance class while simultaneously allowing a free flow of personal expression, both a release and a strengthening of the mind - body connection occur. Euphoric feelings that jazz dancers sometimes refer to as a rush or high often result.
Cross-Training
Besides gaining the physical and emotional benefits of studying jazz dance, dancers who study other forms of dance gain in further practical ways. The emphasis in jazz dance on rhythmic complexity and dynamic performance helps ballet and modern dancers enhance their ability as dancers. Although ballet training develops incredible grace, the codified technique often becomes rhythmically predictable and dynamically smooth. Modern dance training often creates organically connected and grounded dancers who may become restricted dynamically. Ballet and modern dancers trained in jazz dance add intricate rhythmic coordination and the ability to add dynamic performance qualities to their range, making jazz dance an important part of training for versatile dancers. Combining these practical skills for aspiring dancers with enhanced physical fitness, artistic expression, and an overall joyful experience provides a self-evident answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" Now that you have learned the definition of jazz dance and reviewed the benefits, you will want to know the rules of class.
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Positions of the Feet
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position.
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position. Derived from classical ballet, the turned-out positions are called classical positions in jazz dance class.
- Neutral position: feet apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets and parallel to each other (see figure 5.4).
Neutral foot position.
- First position: insides of the feet together and parallel to each other (figure 5.5).
Parallel first position.
- Second position: feet farther than hip-distance apart and parallel to each other (figure 5.6).
Parallel second position.
- Fourth position: one foot forward of the other and the back heel lifted off the floor, as shown in figure 5.7 in plié.
Parallel fourth position.
- Classical first position: feet in a V formation because of the natural turnout from the hip socket (figure 5.8).
Classical first position.
- Classical second position: feet apart about the length of one foot and naturally turned out (figure 5.9).
Classical second position.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Traditional Jazz Steps
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures.
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures. In this section, they are presented in historical order, starting with the oldest. Often, traditional jazz steps are recycled into new dance styles. As you explore these steps, see whether you can recognize aspects or even the whole step in current dance styles.
Flick Kick
- Flick kick: a kick performed by lifting a knee while bent, extending the leg sharply, and then bending it again on the way down. This step can be done small, medium, or large.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
Cakewalk
- Cakewalk: a leaping kick forward that begins with a small leap onto one foot while the other leg flick kicks and is then immediately repeated on the other side. This step is often done with the torso leaning slightly backward.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
- Leap immediately after the flick kick onto that same leg to repeat on the other side.
Did You Know?
The cakewalk was a popular dance tradition among slaves on plantations in the 19th century. White performers appropriated the step and presented it in minstrel shows.
Sugar
- Sugar: starts with the feet in jazz second position and weight equally on both feet. Change weight to the ball of the left foot and pivot to the right on the ball of the left foot until the left toe is pointed to the right. At same time step on ball of the right foot with the toe pointed to the right. Reverse. The step can be done on a straight leg or with knees bent, on the balls of the feet, or on the whole foot.
Self-Check
- Let the hips switch from side to side but keep the torso facing front.
- Stay on the balls of the feet and stay with the music. Try changing tempos.
Charleston
- Charleston: a step forward on one foot, small flick kick forward with the other foot, step back with the free foot, and then touch behind with the original foot.
Self-Check
- For variation, try the 1920s flapper version by replacing the flick kick with a touch forward, turning the feet in on the upbeat, and turning them out on each step and touch.
- To try the 1940s Lindy hop version of the Charleston, do a low flick kick forward with the left while making a small hop on the right. Make a small leap on the left while doing a low flick kick forward with the right and then hop on the left. Do a low flick kick to the side with the right foot, step back on the right foot, and finish with a ball change back front with the left foot and then the right foot. Repeat. Try reversing feet.
Shorty George
- Shorty George: a step with the knees together, stepping slightly forward on one foot while swinging the knees and hips to the same side as the stepping foot with the heels barely off the ground. Repeat to the other side and in sequence.
Self-Check
- The Shorty George was named after jitterbug and Lindy hop dancer "Shorty" George Snowden in the 1930s. He could do this step underneath his partner's long legs.
- Make this step fun. Find your own way of doing it and don't try to be too correct.
Crazy Legs
- Crazy legs: a step donewith the knees bent and a forced arch on both feet. On the "and" count, both knees open up as weight shifts to one foot. On the "a" count, both knees return to the original position. The step was popularized in the 1940s in the Lindy hop.
Self-Check
- This step should create the comical effect of the legs looking as if they are made of rubber.
- Stay off the heels the entire time.
Scissor Step
- Scissor step: a small leap onto one foot while extending the opposite leg to the side with the heel touching the floor and then doing a ball change underneath yourself, leading with the extended leg and repeating on the other side.
Self-Check
- The flexed foot is the one that does the ball of the ball change on the way back in.
- After the coordination and sequence of the feet are consistent, work on staying with the beat.
These jazz dance students are performing the scissor step, a quick footwork step that requires the coordination of a small leap, a touch, and a ball change.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Benefits of Studying Jazz Dance
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves.
The quickest answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" is that it is joyful. Jazz dance grew out of the social dance forms that young people had used over many decades. It is what people do when they are celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying themselves. Jazz dance today, in all its forms, still maintains that joyous excitement. But studying jazz dance offers benefits beyond just sheer enjoyment, such as physical fitness, artistic expression, and practical cross-training skills for aspiring dancers.
Health and Physical Fitness
The health and physical fitness benefits of jazz dance include increased strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. The athletic, full-bodied nature of jazz dance develops arm strength from floor work, leg strength from jumps, and core strength from coordinating the limbs. Jazz dance classes consist of stretching sequences that lengthen the larger muscles of the legs and lower back. Increased flexibility and range of motion in the hips, shoulders, and spine commonly develop from jazz dance training. Challenging steps and combinations, in which the upper and lower body parallel and contrast each other in numerous ways, create increased coordination in jazz dancers. Remember the old challenge to rub your head and pat your tummy? That task becomes simple for jazz dancers who learn complex rhythmic patterns. Besides the strength, flexibility, and coordination developed in jazz dance, the infectious, high-energy rhythmic music of a jazz dance class leads to increased endurance and stamina.
Safety Tip
As a dance student, you need to be able to distinguish good pain from bad pain. Good pain comes from strength, stretching, and endurance exercises that expand the ability of the body. These pains may feel uncomfortable, but they are beneficial. Bad pain comes from pushing the body too far too fast, and it leads to injury. These pains tend to be sharp and sudden. Listen to your body to find the edge of good pain and do not go past it.
Artistic Expression
Alongside the physical benefits of jazz dance, the ability to express the creative self through movement allows a full-bodied approach to sharing personal emotions and artistic insights. Because the body explores physical movement in jazz dance class while simultaneously allowing a free flow of personal expression, both a release and a strengthening of the mind - body connection occur. Euphoric feelings that jazz dancers sometimes refer to as a rush or high often result.
Cross-Training
Besides gaining the physical and emotional benefits of studying jazz dance, dancers who study other forms of dance gain in further practical ways. The emphasis in jazz dance on rhythmic complexity and dynamic performance helps ballet and modern dancers enhance their ability as dancers. Although ballet training develops incredible grace, the codified technique often becomes rhythmically predictable and dynamically smooth. Modern dance training often creates organically connected and grounded dancers who may become restricted dynamically. Ballet and modern dancers trained in jazz dance add intricate rhythmic coordination and the ability to add dynamic performance qualities to their range, making jazz dance an important part of training for versatile dancers. Combining these practical skills for aspiring dancers with enhanced physical fitness, artistic expression, and an overall joyful experience provides a self-evident answer to the question, "Why study jazz dance?" Now that you have learned the definition of jazz dance and reviewed the benefits, you will want to know the rules of class.
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Positions of the Feet
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position.
Jazz dance class uses both parallel foot positions and turned-out foot positions. In parallel foot positions, the feet may be side by side, apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets, or in a wide position. Derived from classical ballet, the turned-out positions are called classical positions in jazz dance class.
- Neutral position: feet apart at the distance of the center of the hip sockets and parallel to each other (see figure 5.4).
Neutral foot position.
- First position: insides of the feet together and parallel to each other (figure 5.5).
Parallel first position.
- Second position: feet farther than hip-distance apart and parallel to each other (figure 5.6).
Parallel second position.
- Fourth position: one foot forward of the other and the back heel lifted off the floor, as shown in figure 5.7 in plié.
Parallel fourth position.
- Classical first position: feet in a V formation because of the natural turnout from the hip socket (figure 5.8).
Classical first position.
- Classical second position: feet apart about the length of one foot and naturally turned out (figure 5.9).
Classical second position.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.
Traditional Jazz Steps
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures.
Traditional jazz steps derive from historical jazz dance styles. These steps include weight shifts and elevations combined with characteristic body positions and arm gestures. In this section, they are presented in historical order, starting with the oldest. Often, traditional jazz steps are recycled into new dance styles. As you explore these steps, see whether you can recognize aspects or even the whole step in current dance styles.
Flick Kick
- Flick kick: a kick performed by lifting a knee while bent, extending the leg sharply, and then bending it again on the way down. This step can be done small, medium, or large.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
Cakewalk
- Cakewalk: a leaping kick forward that begins with a small leap onto one foot while the other leg flick kicks and is then immediately repeated on the other side. This step is often done with the torso leaning slightly backward.
Self-Check
- The extension should be sharp, like a flicking motion.
- Keep the supporting leg and the spine straight.
- Leap immediately after the flick kick onto that same leg to repeat on the other side.
Did You Know?
The cakewalk was a popular dance tradition among slaves on plantations in the 19th century. White performers appropriated the step and presented it in minstrel shows.
Sugar
- Sugar: starts with the feet in jazz second position and weight equally on both feet. Change weight to the ball of the left foot and pivot to the right on the ball of the left foot until the left toe is pointed to the right. At same time step on ball of the right foot with the toe pointed to the right. Reverse. The step can be done on a straight leg or with knees bent, on the balls of the feet, or on the whole foot.
Self-Check
- Let the hips switch from side to side but keep the torso facing front.
- Stay on the balls of the feet and stay with the music. Try changing tempos.
Charleston
- Charleston: a step forward on one foot, small flick kick forward with the other foot, step back with the free foot, and then touch behind with the original foot.
Self-Check
- For variation, try the 1920s flapper version by replacing the flick kick with a touch forward, turning the feet in on the upbeat, and turning them out on each step and touch.
- To try the 1940s Lindy hop version of the Charleston, do a low flick kick forward with the left while making a small hop on the right. Make a small leap on the left while doing a low flick kick forward with the right and then hop on the left. Do a low flick kick to the side with the right foot, step back on the right foot, and finish with a ball change back front with the left foot and then the right foot. Repeat. Try reversing feet.
Shorty George
- Shorty George: a step with the knees together, stepping slightly forward on one foot while swinging the knees and hips to the same side as the stepping foot with the heels barely off the ground. Repeat to the other side and in sequence.
Self-Check
- The Shorty George was named after jitterbug and Lindy hop dancer "Shorty" George Snowden in the 1930s. He could do this step underneath his partner's long legs.
- Make this step fun. Find your own way of doing it and don't try to be too correct.
Crazy Legs
- Crazy legs: a step donewith the knees bent and a forced arch on both feet. On the "and" count, both knees open up as weight shifts to one foot. On the "a" count, both knees return to the original position. The step was popularized in the 1940s in the Lindy hop.
Self-Check
- This step should create the comical effect of the legs looking as if they are made of rubber.
- Stay off the heels the entire time.
Scissor Step
- Scissor step: a small leap onto one foot while extending the opposite leg to the side with the heel touching the floor and then doing a ball change underneath yourself, leading with the extended leg and repeating on the other side.
Self-Check
- The flexed foot is the one that does the ball of the ball change on the way back in.
- After the coordination and sequence of the feet are consistent, work on staying with the beat.
These jazz dance students are performing the scissor step, a quick footwork step that requires the coordination of a small leap, a touch, and a ball change.
Save
Learn more about Beginning Jazz Dance.