Jazz dance, originating in the early 20th century, is a captivating fusion of African and European influences. Renowned for its rhythmic and expressive movements, this dynamic dance form showcases improvisation, syncopation, and swing, and can be performed to various styles of music, including jazz, blues, soul, funk, rock, and pop. With its popularity and diversity, jazz dance offers an inclusive and enjoyable experience for dancers of all ages and skill levels.
If you're interested in jazz dance and looking to learn some basic moves, we've got just the thing for you. In this article, we'll be breaking down 10 of the most fundamental jazz dance moves to get you started on your jazz dance journey. Let's dive in!
Learning 10 Basic Jazz Dance Moves
Some jazz dance steps are essential for any beginner, even if different teachers have their own ideas about the elementary curriculum. You will always find these steps in the repertoire of jazz dancers, and you should keep practicing them to improve your technique, no matter how many new steps you learn.
Jazz walks are a type of dance move that involves stepping forward with one foot while dragging the other foot behind. They can be done in different directions and with different arm positions. To do jazz walks, follow these steps:
- Start with your feet together and your arms relaxed by your sides.
- Step forward with your right foot and point your toes. Keep your left foot flat on the floor and slide it behind your right foot.
- As you step, swing your arms to the opposite side of your body. For example, if you step with your right foot, swing your left arm forward and your right arm back.
- Repeat the same movement with your left foot and right arm, and continue alternating feet and arms as you move forward.
- To change directions, pivot on your front foot and turn your body to face a new direction. Then resume the jazz walks as before.
- To add variation, you can change the level of your body by bending or straightening your knees, or change the speed of your steps by going faster or slower.
2. Ball change
A ball change is a basic step in jazz dancing that involves shifting your weight from one foot to the other.
To do a ball change, follow these steps:
- Start with your feet together and your weight on your right foot.
- Then, quickly step back onto the ball of your left foot and lift your right foot slightly off the ground.
- Next, step forward onto the ball of your right foot and lower your left heel to the floor.
- Repeat this movement with the opposite feet.
A ball change can be done in any direction and with different rhythms.
3. Pivot
A pivot turn is a basic jazz dance move that involves stepping on one foot and rotating the body to face the opposite direction. Here are some steps to perform a pivot turn:
- Start with your feet together and your arms by your sides.
- Step forward with your right foot and lift your left heel off the ground. Keep your right knee slightly bent and your left leg straight.
- Turn your body to the left by pivoting on the ball of your right foot. Your left foot should follow the turn and end up next to your right foot. Your arms can swing naturally or stay on your hips.
- You have completed one pivot turn. You can repeat the same steps on the other side by stepping forward with your left foot and turning to the right.
Some tips to improve your pivot turn are:
- Use your head to spot the direction you want to turn. Look at a fixed point before and after the turn to avoid getting dizzy.
- Keep your core engaged and your posture upright. Do not lean forward or backward during the turn.
- Stay on your toes and avoid putting too much weight on your heels. This will help you balance and turn smoothly.
4. Chaine turn
A Chaine turn is a basic turn in jazz dance that involves rotating on both feet in a series of small steps. To do a Chaine turn, follow these steps:
- Start in a parallel position with your feet together and your arms at your sides.
- Step forward with your right foot and pivot on the ball of your foot to face the opposite direction. Your left foot should be slightly behind your right foot, and your arms should be in a preparatory position (one arm in front of you and one arm behind you).
- Step forward with your left foot and pivot on the ball of your foot to face the original direction. Your right foot should be slightly behind your left foot, and your arms should be in a first position (both arms curved in front of you).
- Repeat these steps as many times as you want, keeping your feet close together and your upper body straight. You can also change directions by stepping to the side instead of forward.
5. Pique turn
A pique turn is a type of turn in jazz dance that involves stepping onto a demi-pointed foot and spinning around on that foot. To do a pique turn, you need to have good balance, posture, and alignment. Here are the steps to perform a pique turn:
- Start in a preparatory position with your feet parallel or turned out slightly. Your arms should be in a low V shape in front of your chest.
- Lift your right leg to the side with your knee straight, and your foot pointed. Your right arm should extend to the side as well, while your left arm stays in front of your chest.
- Step onto your right foot and pivot on it as you bring your left leg across your body and into a passe position. A passe is when you bend your knee and place your foot near your right knee. Your left arm should move to the side as well, while your right arm stays in front of your chest.
- Complete one full rotation on your right foot and then lower your left leg to the floor. Your arms should return to the low V shape as you finish the turn.
- Repeat the same steps on the other side, starting with your left leg.
Practice these steps slowly at first and then gradually increase your speed and number of turns. Make sure you spot a fixed point in front of you as you turn to avoid getting dizzy. A pique turn can be done in different directions and with different arm positions, depending on the choreography and style of jazz dance.
6. Pirouette
A pirouette is a turn on one leg that can be done in different positions. To do a pirouette in jazz dance, follow these steps:
- Start in a plié position with your arms in front of you and your right leg bent in front of your left leg.
- Push off your right foot and lift it to your knee or ankle, depending on the position you want to turn in. Keep your arms in front of you and your shoulders down.
- Spot a point in front of you and keep your eyes on it as you turn. Turn your head quickly to the same point as you complete each rotation.
- Finish the turn by lowering your right leg and straightening your left leg. Bring your arms to the side or above your head, depending on the style of the dance.
7. Battement
Battement is a common jazz dance technique that involves lifting one leg to the front, side, or back with a straight knee. To perform a battement, you can follow these steps:- Start from a standing position with your feet together and your arms at your sides.
- Then, lift one leg as high as you can without bending your knee or losing your balance. Keep your toes pointed and your hips square.
- Hold the leg in the air for a second, then lower it back to the starting position.
- Repeat with the other leg.
You can also swing your arms in the opposite direction of your leg for more momentum and style.
8. Lindy
Lindy is a type of jazz dance that originated in the 1920s and 1930s. It is characterized by swing and bounce movements, as well as partner work and improvisation. To do Lindy, you need to learn some basic steps and rhythms, such as the swing out, the circle, the Charleston, and the triple step. You also need to practice with a partner and follow the music cues. Lindy is a fun and energetic dance that can be done to various styles of jazz music.
Here are some general tips for doing lindy steps:
- Start with a simple movement and gradually add more complexity and speed.
- Keep your feet approximately parallel and pivot on your heels or toes as needed.
- Use your core to twist your spine and pelvis with your feet.
- Add a pulse or bounce on each beat to create more energy and swing feel.
- Have fun and experiment with different variations and combinations of lindy steps.
9. Chasse
A chasse is a popular jazz dance move that involves sliding one leg out to the side and then bringing the other leg to meet it. The word chasse means "to chase" in French, and the movement resembles one leg chasing the other across the floor. To do a chasse in jazz dance, follow these steps:
- Start with your feet together and your arms out to the sides, up or in front of you.
- Step to the side with your right foot, using the ball of your foot and keeping your heel off the ground.
- Shift your weight to your right foot and bring your left foot behind it, crossing at the ankles. Your feet should be in the fifth position, with your toes pointed.
- Push off from your right foot and jump up slightly, landing on your left foot. Your feet should be in the fourth position, with your left foot in front and your right foot behind.
- Slide your right foot out to the side again, repeating the same steps as before.
- Continue this pattern until you reach the end of the floor or the music.
A chasse is a simple but elegant way to travel across the floor in jazz dance. It can be used as a preparation for leaps or turns, or as a transition between other steps. Remember to keep your upper body lifted and still, and your feet pointed and turned out.
10. Jazz leap
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A jazz leap is a type of jump that involves splitting your legs in the air. There are different kinds of jazz leaps, such as chaine leaps, stag leaps, and side leaps. To perform a jazz leap, you need to have good balance, strength, and flexibility. Here are some general steps to do a jazz leap:
- Start with a preparation step, such as a fondu tondu or a chasse. This will help you gain momentum and power for your leap.
- As you step forward, brush your front leg up into the air with a bent knee. This is called an attitude position. Your arms can be lifted up or out to the sides for balance and style.
- Push off your back leg and extend it behind you as you leap into the air. Try to keep your back leg straight, and your toes pointed. Your front leg can stay bent or straighten depending on the type of leap you are doing.
- Land softly on your front foot, rolling through your toes, ball, and heel. Your back foot should touch down lightly after your front foot. Bend your knees slightly to absorb the impact and avoid injury.
- Continue with another step or movement to finish your leap.
For visual instruction, please check out this amazing tutorial by Ti & Me TV:
Jazz Dancing Tips for Beginners
Jazz dancing is a fun and energetic style of dance that anyone can enjoy. If you are a beginner who wants to learn jazz dancing, here are some tips to help you get started:
- Learn the basic jazz moves, such as jazz walks, turns, kicks, and leaps. You can find tutorials online or join a class to learn from a teacher.
- Search for your own style in jazz dancing. Experiment with different variations of the steps and express your personality through your movements.
- Be a musician. Listen to the rhythm and melody of the music and match your movements to it. Try to improvise and create your own patterns and sequences.
- Play, play, play! Jazz dancing is all about having fun and being creative. Don't be afraid to try new things and make mistakes. Enjoy the process, and don't judge yourself too hard.
Have fun!