Getting Started with Jazz Dance

Jazz dance is a vibrant and dynamic form of movement that originated from African American vernacular dance in the late 1800s. It evolved alongside jazz music in New Orleans and has since incorporated elements from ballet, modern, and contemporary dance. Today, jazz dance is known for its energetic movements, expressive qualities, and emphasis on individuality.

If you're new to jazz dance, welcome! This art form offers a fantastic way to express yourself, improve your fitness, and connect with music in a physical way. Like any dance style, jazz has its own fundamentals that will help you build a strong foundation.

Jazz Dance Movement Illustration

Essential Jazz Dance Techniques for Beginners

1. Posture and Alignment

Proper posture is the foundation of all dance forms, and jazz is no exception. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent (in plié), with your spine elongated and shoulders relaxed down and back. Imagine a string pulling the crown of your head toward the ceiling.

Beginner Tip: Practice against a wall—stand with your heels, calves, buttocks, shoulder blades, and the back of your head touching the wall to understand proper alignment.

2. Basic Jazz Positions

Jazz dance uses positions similar to ballet but with a more relaxed approach:

  • Parallel: Feet hip-distance apart and facing forward
  • First position: Heels together, toes turned out
  • Second position: Feet wider than shoulder-width, toes turned out
  • Fourth position: One foot forward, toes turned out

3. Isolations

One of the signature elements of jazz dance is isolation—moving one part of the body independently from the rest. Practice isolating your head, shoulders, ribcage, and hips while keeping the rest of your body still.

Practice Exercise: Stand in front of a mirror and slowly move just your head side to side, then up and down. Next, try moving just your shoulders—up, down, forward, and back. Finally, practice moving your ribcage side to side and in circles without moving your hips.

4. Basic Jazz Steps

Start with these fundamental jazz steps:

  • Jazz Walk: A smooth, stylized walk with pointed toes
  • Chassé: A sliding step where one foot "chases" the other
  • Ball Change: A quick weight shift from one foot to the other
  • Jazz Square: A four-step movement creating a square pattern
  • Pivot Turns: Basic turns shifting weight while changing direction
Jazz Step Demonstration

What to Wear to Your First Jazz Class

Comfort and mobility are key for jazz dance. Opt for:

  • Form-fitting clothing that allows your teacher to see your body alignment
  • Flexible pants or leggings that won't restrict movement
  • A top that breathes well and stays in place
  • Jazz shoes or flexible sneakers with good support (socks will work for your first class)
  • Hair pulled back away from your face
"Jazz dance is not about being perfect; it's about expressing the music through your body. Every dancer brings their own unique flavor to the movement." — Chloe Johnson, Professional Jazz Dancer
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