Jazz 1

Isolation-

Isolation-segmenting one part of the body away from the rest. Hold every part of your body still as you move one part. Ex: shoulder, hand, hip, ribcage, leg, arm, head

Contraction-

Contraction-flexion: action that shortens the muscle and brings two body parts closer together. This is done to move one’s body into the desired position as a function or as a purposeful end in and of itself for an aesthetic or dynamic reason. Ex: abdominals, obliques, back, arms

Chassé-

Chassé – to chase.  Slide, up, slide.  May be done devant, de côte, or derrière.  Start in 5^th position, slide front leg forward keeping both heels on the floor.  Jump into the air in 5^th position with pointed toes.  Land in 5^th position and slide front leg forward.  You may now reverse using other leg.  May be done parallel or t/o, but usually t/o.  Arms swing from down to an “L” with straight elbows in opposite position from leg.  (If left leg is forward, right arm is forward).  Purpose: to travel.  Another form is slide through 1^st position from 5^th position and out to 2^nd position.  Keep weight equal on both feet.  Purpose: usually used as a preparation.

Plie-

Plié- to bend. May be done in all 5 positions, parallel or turned out, usually t/o.  As you plié, get taller as you go down.  Keep your knees over your toes.  The bending movement should be gradual and free of jerks.  The body should rise at the same speed as it descends.  Keep your weight on both feet, letting your whole foot grasp the floor. Purpose: build strength and flexibility.  

Opposition-

opposite body parts moving in different directions to create balance, stretch, and shape

Connection with the floor-

weight on floor, dragging limb on floor

Weighted-

Weightedness-groundedness, the feeling and intention of being connected with the floor/ground.

Leading with the toe-

Impetus/Leading-what starts a movement or takes the leading edge of a movement. Ex: walking with toes leading or rolling hips to move through space, or starting a movement with the head or elbow.

Leading with the hip-

Impetus/Leading-what starts a movement or takes the leading edge of a movement. Ex: walking with toes leading or rolling hips to move through space, or starting a movement with the head or elbow.

Tuck Hop

run run, step right,and put leg in front posse, kick and swipe other leg up to cross back the other leg. Arms shoot up

Forward Leap

step step jump leap right and left leg go up, one forward one back. maybe be kicked out/ develope

Center Leap

Side leaps – a leap done a la seconde. May be developé or battement, typically developé. At the height of the leap both legs should be in a straddle leap with hips down and legs rotated t/o in hip joint. Push through feet and plié upon landing, especially the leading leg.

Jazz Saut de basque

dancer turns in air, bringing one foot to the knee of other, land on one foot

Axel

Axels- stationary rotation en l’air. May be parallel or t/o. One leg should do a rond de jambe.  Both legs tuck at the height of the axle.  It is usually preceded by a chainé turn.  Arms and spotting are a must.  From relevé, plié chainé.  Rond de jambe your leg to passé.  Lift your bottom leg into a tuck and finish the rotation.  Land toe, ball, heel, plié on bottom leg.  Step out with the leg that was in passé to help stop the rotation.

Illusion

Illusion – a penche that rotates. May be done en dehors or en dedans. Keep the supporting leg straight. Start in tendu and penche from there while rotating on the ball of your supporting foot. Lift up through head and shoulders on the way up. Hands should not touch the floor.

Barrel Turn

jazz barrel turn is a spinning jump characterized by a strong arch in the body, similar to jumping over a barrel. Key elements include a preparation step, a strong arch and outward reach of the arms and bent legs in the air, and a landing in a parallel second-position plié. The arms often move in a "windmill" or "airplane" position and help drive the turn

Barrel Jump

The jazz "barrel jump" is a type of jump where the dancer bends both legs backward at the knees while in the air, with the body in a forward-bent, arched position, and arms in various basic postures

Twist, roll to ground

one foot in front of the other, maybe fifth position. As you twist around, bend knees and get lowered to ground and turn front, legs crossed but one up in front of you