Sabay-Sabay Tayo! - Basic Jazz Dance Steps
- Keith Javier
- Jan 24, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 25, 2022
By Keith Javier
Jazz Dancing Origins
Jazz dancing has been a prominent type of dance on Broadway shows and Hollywood movies. It is a style that was performed in the mid 20th century when jazz music was at its peak. This style of dancing was used by many renowned dancers such as the Whitman sisters, Fankie Manning, Dawn Hampton, and another branch of jazz dancing, called dramatic jazz dancing, was performed on stage shows by Jack Cole, Bob Fosse, and Gus Giordano. It’s exact origins have a very surprising background, as it was a product of African ritual dancing back in the 17th century. The transatlantic slave trades brought ten million Africans to America where their culture prospered and evolved, and jazz was born on the smokey streets of New Orleans, and the style of jazz dancing soon followed. In the 80s, contemporary jazz was taking form as it was commercialized and televised to a wide audience.
Basic Jazz Dance Techniques
Jazz Arm and variations
Point Finger
Jazz Arms
Jazz Arms Variation
Arm up
Hands Down
Cross arm
Arm V
Jazz Arms Variation 2
Passe
(This can be combined with jazz arm variations)
Jazz Sit and variations
Regular Jazz sit
Jazz sit variation
Releve
Basic Jazz Dance Steps
Cross Point
The cross point dance step is trickey for beginners, but with practice, one can master this easily. The first step is to cross your right foot diagonal to your left foot. Afterwards, point the other foot sideward, and make sure to maintain a middle level. After this move, repeat it, but this time do the opposite movements. Keep repeating this and it will naturally make you move forward so it’s important to keep this in mind when you’re in a less spacious area.
Side Step + Forward and Backward Step
The side step move is one of the easiest moves in jazz dance. This is also found in a multitude of other dance styles. This shows how the side step is really one of the root dance moves most dances are based off of. This is what beginners learn first, as it’s simply the right foot staying in place as the left foot side steps and the right foot follows shortly after the left foot has planted itself on point B. After this, it can be repeated on the opposite foot and repeated again. It’s a very simple move that I recommend every beginner to at least master first.
The forward and backward step is very similar to the side step, as it is used in other dance styles too and it can be considered to be one of the building blocks of dance moves. It starts with the right foot stepping forward, followed by the left foot. The right foot returns to its first position, and the left foot follows. It’s a very simple move and it can be repeated multiple times during a dance routine.
Kick-Ball-Change
The kick ball change utilizes one of the dance techniques that were shown above, more specifically, the passe. The first step is to perform the passe, and use the raised foot to kick forward. Afterwards step lightly down on the ball after kicking, then in an almost shuffling motion, step down with your left foot forward. This move will test ones form and figure, especially during the kick motion, as one needs to point their toes properly after kicking.
Step-Ball-Change
The step ball change is a move that will test how well you can move and coordinate your footwork. The first step is to step the right foot forward, then step your left foot next to the right foot. Then afterwards, step the left foot obliquely sidewards, then repeating but on the opposite foot. This will also test your balance as it will require good control on footwork, firstly depending on getting the coordination correct.
Jazz Slide
The jazz slide is a fun and easy exercise to test one's figure. This move also uses the dance technique, cross arms. It’s the first thing you need to do, cross your arms while preparing to slide. Afterwards, slide to your right while transforming your arms from cross arms to the finger point dance technique. Slowly and steadily slide the left foot closer to your right foot. This doesn’t pay much attention to dynamic movements, but a smooth slide.
Paddle Turn
Unlike the jazz slide, the paddle turn will be using quick and dynamic movements. It has simple instructions, but it’ll require great footwork. You simply paddle your right foot in four corners, then repeating, but with the opposite foot, paddling in the opposite direction when you paddled first. It’s a fairly difficult dance move to master, but it’s one of the most enjoyable moves in a jazz dancer's arsenal as it has a very fun rhythm to it all as you paddle in all four corners.
Grapevine
If the paddle turn was already dynamic and quick, grapevine is even quicker than that. It starts with crossing your left foot obliquely sideward right. Switch the position of the feet to the right in a quick and abrupt manner, ending with pointing the right foot sideward. Afterwards, you may repeat but move to the opposite direction. This might be one of the hardest moves to master, as it tests your figure, footwork, and speed. It’s easier to do it slower, then progressively going faster the more you practice.
Star Jump
The star jump is a quick and easy dance move, but it will require a burst of energy. First, position yourself to jump by bending your knees. Afterwards, jump while extending your arms and your feet, forming a star shaped figure. You may notice that this also takes advantage of the arm V dance technique. To avoid heavy damage on the landing, bend your knees again as you land to prevent making a loud noise.
Sources:
Mahoney, Billie (1998). "Jazz Dance". The International Encyclopedia of Dance. Oxford University Press.
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