Do you often feel lethargic and unmotivated to start a task? Or is the quarantine life draining your physical and social battery faster than expected? Well, fret not! We just have to groove that cabin fever away!
Physical interaction and activities have been reduced by quarantine protocols implemented for the third year of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines. The drastic change of this set-up apparently restrained the basic needs of a social human being. On the onslaught of the ever-changing virus, it is essential to keep our physical, social, emotional, and mental well-being in check. Numerous factors constrain us from truly caring for ourselves which may include scarce resources, minimal knowledge and understanding, lack of time, differences in priorities, and a whole lot more. But this doesn’t mean there is no solution applicable to people of different situations. You guessed it right! — Jazz Dance!
Jazz Dance has surpassed its stereotypical connotation of fan kicks and shimmies. It is actually composed of a broad range of different dance styles! The “Modern Jazz Dance” which emerged in the 1950s originated from African American Dance and is rooted in the Caribbean Traditional Dance. From its emergence, Jazz Dancers are required and expected to be highly skilled in order to execute a splendid performance.
Hold Up! This does not mean we are disqualified from practicing this type of dance. On the contrary, learning Jazz Dance from youth comes with an abundance of benefits. Not only does it act as a work out substitute, but it sharpens our brain and relieves our stress too! Be sure to check out the other blogs of DISCORAMA to learn more about this. So what are we waiting for? Let’s Move to Groove!
Fundamental Feet Positions
Before we dive into the beauty and complexity of Jazz Dance steps, let’s first discover the basic feet positions used in Jazz.
Image Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/search/foot+position
First Position - move the heels together and toes facing equally out to either side.
Second Position - coming from the first position, move your feet about hip distance apart where you want to have the feet and legs equally turned out.
Third Position - move the heel of one of your feet to the middle of the other. Your legs should remain straight with the feet and legs turned out equally.
Fourth Position - place one foot in front of the other, about a foot’s distance apart. Legs and feet should be equally turned out away from the center of the body.
Fifth Position - stand with your feet close together, one in front of the other and turned out away from the body
Basic Jazz Dance Steps
Great job, discoshaker! After understanding the Fundamental Feet Positions, you are all set for some basic Jazz moves!
1. Cross point Begin in the fourth position, with your left leg extended and your arm at your side. First, count 1 while crossing your right foot diagonally left. Second, while maintaining a middle level, point your other foot sideward (to the left) resulting to aligned toes. Finally, for counts 3 and 4, do the opposite movements: cross over to the right with your left foot, and sideward(to the right) with your right foot resulting to aligned toes.
2. Side Step Initiate with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Count 1 with your right foot in position, then count 2 with your left foot sideward (to the left), then count 3 and 4 with the opposite side.
3. Forward and Backward Step Begin with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Step forward with your right foot, count 1, then forward with your left foot, count 2, then backward with your left foot, count 3, and finally backward with your right foot, count 4.
4. Kick-Ball Change Begin with your feet together and your arms at your sides. To begin, kick your right foot forward, but not too high or too low. Second, softly step down on the ball of your right foot next to your left, counting as you say "and," then step down your left foot in position, counting two.
5. Step-Ball Change Begin with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Count 1, step softly down on the ball of your right foot next to your left, count, and then step down in the left foot in position, count 2. When doing the kick, go on a passe and point your toes forcefully.
6. Jazz Slide
Begin with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Then, with your arms crossed, take one step forward with your left foot. After that, slide to the right sideward; extend arms abruptly; eyes on the middle finger, count 2, and 3, then close left on 4, and repeat, counting 5, 6, 7, 8, in the opposite direction.
7. Paddle Turn
Begin in the second position, with your arms at your sides. Then, counting 1, 2, 3, 4, paddle the right foot in four corners (front, left, rear, and right), then do the other side in counts 5, 6, 7, 8.
8. Grapevine
Begin in the second position, with your arms at your sides. Then, count 1, cross your left foot obliquely sideward right, and abruptly transfer the position of your feet to the right, count 2. Then abruptly turn the position of the feet to the right, count 3, and point the right foot sideward, count 4, before repeating the action for counts 5, 6, 7, 8.
9. Star Jump
Begin with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Counting from 5,6,7, and 8 for the leap, prepare and bend your knees for the jump, then jump high in straddle with arms in V posture, palms facing the audience, count 1. Then, counting to two, return to the beginning position with bended knees and arms at your sides.
Basic Jazz Dance Techniques
Of course, Jazz would not be complete without techniques to make it more dynamic and creative! Here are some Basic Jazz Dance Techniques.
1. Jazz arm and Variations
Arm up Lift either your left or right arm up, then tilt your hands with the palm of your hand facing outwards or in the same direction as your elevated arm to add extra features.
Arm V Raise both arms upwards while executing Arm V, and slant your hands with the palms facing outwards
Cross Arm Cross your arms in front of your chest, but allow space between your chest and arms; then, for hand details, make sure your hands are spread out, palms facing each other.
Hands Down To perform hands down, extend your arms ahead, palms facing up. Then, gradually lower your arms until they are diagonally aligned, with the palms of your hands slightly facing up and the audience.
Point-finger Stretch your arms out diagonally over one another, point your pointer finger out in front of you, aligned with your outstretched arms.
Jazz Arm Stretch your arms sideways, elbows slightly bent, and hands extend out in front of you, palms facing front.
Jazz Arm Variation 1 stretch your arms sideways with your elbows slightly bent, your hands wide out, and your palms facing down towards the floor.
Jazz Arm Variation 2 Stretch your arms out sideways, keeping your elbows straight this time, and your hands spread outwards, palms facing downwards.
2. Passé
Start with your feet together and your arms at your sides, then bend one of your legs slightly to the left or right until your toes meet the knee of your opposite leg, remember to point your toes. Your arms should be stretched forward and backward at the same moment, with one arm in the rear and the other in the front.
3. Jazz Sit Start with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Then, point your left toe and lift the left heel. For the hands, lay the left hand on the elevated thigh (left) and the fingers of your right at the back of your head, making sure that the right hand is an open palm position with your elbows pointed outwards.
a. Jazz Sit Variation #1 First, face the left. Then point your right toe forward while lifting your heel. For the arms, hower your palms over your hips, making sure that your elbows are pointed outwards.
b. Jazz Sit Variation #2
First, face the left. Rotate your head towards your left shoulder. Then point your right toe forward while lifting your heel. For the arms, hower your palms over your waist, making sure that your elbows are pointed outwards.
4. Relevé Start with the fundamental feet position #2, tip your toes then lift your heels. Extends both arms both side wards. Point your fingers outward.
a. Relevé Variation #1 Move your body to the right, and do the fundamental feet position #2, tip your toes then lift your heels. Slightly bend your torso backwards to the left. Place your hands on your abdomen while pointing your elbows outward. b. Relevé Variation #2 Move your body to the right, and do the fundamental feet position #2, tip your toes then lift your heels. Slightly bend your torso backwards to the left. Open your chest and let your pull your arms hang on the side and slightly behind your body.
c. Relevé Variation #3
Move your body to the right, and do the fundamental feet position #2, tip your toes then lift your heels. Slightly bend your torso backwards to the left. Move your head towards the front. Place your hands on your abdomen while pointing your elbows outward.
With these Fundamental Feet Positions, Basic Jazz Dance Steps and Basic Jazz Dance Techniques, surely nothing can hold you back from achieving a healthy and fit lifestyle. Without a doubt, we can proudly say learning these moves changed our boring everyday routine to a BLAST of energy and productivity. It is of our utmost gratitude that Jazz Dance is integrated into De Lasalle University’s Health Optimizing Physical Education curriculum.
We were able to first-handedly experience the Jazz Dance and its benefits through Scaffolding Tasks where we grooved to our favorite English Hits and OPM classics! Creativity and innovation were definitely not forgotten as we had the liberty to present dances artistically but in adherence to the Personal Safety and Health Protocols. Check out some of our Jazz Dance experiences below!
If you haven’t Jazzed-up, this is the sign to do so! Shake your hips and swing your arms to the groove. Basic Jazz Dance and Techniques is just the right activity to shatter the lethargy and brim with energy. Dancing reinforces our body and mind’s health. No matter where you are, nobody can stop you from Jazz Dancing!
STAND UP DISCO-SHAKERS! Let’s Move to Groove!
By
Charmagne Lizzette Inao
Christian Danielle Olegario
References
Azucena, J.(2021). Basic Jazz dance steps + Techniques [Canvas post] De Lasalle
University. https://dlsu.instructure.com/
BalletHub. (n.d.). The five basic positions of Ballet - ballet lesson.
https://ballethub.com/ballet-lesson/five-basic-positions-ballet/#:%7E:text=The%20positions%20of%20the%20feet,fourth%20position%20and%20fif
Human Kinetics. (n.d.). Benefits of Studying Jazz Dance. Retrieved September 20,
2021, from https://us.humankinetics.com/blogs/excerpt/benefits-of-studying-jazz-dance
Martin, R. (2014, January 6). What’s Jazz these days? Dance Informa Magazine.
https://dancemagazine.com.au/2014/01/whats-jazz-days/
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