From First Position to Jazz Hands: Essential Moves Every New Dancer Must Learn
So, you've caught the jazz bug. The second that brassy trumpet wails and the snare drum kicks in, your feet start tapping and your body wants to move. Welcome! Jazz dance is a thrilling world of expression, rhythm, and style, blending technical precision with raw, emotional performance.
But where do you start? Every legendary dancer, from Bob Fosse's sleek isolations to Luigi's flowing movements, began with the fundamentals. This guide will walk you through the essential moves that form the foundation of jazz dance, building your skills from the ground up until you're ready to throw those iconic "jazz hands."
The Foundation: Position and Posture
Before you even think about a pirouette, you need to master your stance. Jazz dance is built on a base of ballet technique, and it all starts with posture.
First Position: Heels together, toes turned out to form a "V" shape. Your weight should be evenly distributed, knees straight but not locked, shoulders down and back, and core engaged. Think tall and proud.
Parallel Position: The workhorse of jazz. Feet are hip-width apart and facing forward, aligned with your shoulders. This is your neutral, powerful starting point for most jazz moves.
Your posture is your power source. A strong, engaged core and a lifted chest will make every subsequent move look sharper and feel more controlled.
Pro Tip: Practice in front of a mirror. Check that your hips are neutral, your ribs aren't flaring, and your neck is long. Good posture is the first thing an audience notices.
The Building Blocks: Basic Jazz Steps
Once your posture is set, it's time to get moving. These steps are the alphabet of the jazz language.
The Jazz Walk: This is no ordinary walk. It's a stylized, confident stride done on the balls of the feet. Add an attitude by dropping your heel with control at the end of each step. Practice making it sassy, sad, or sharp to convey different emotions.
The Jazz Square (Box Step): Four steps that create a square on the floor. Cross right over left, step left back, step right back, step left together. Then reverse! It’s a fundamental traveling step used in countless combinations.
Chassé: A "to chase" step. From parallel, step to the side with your right foot, then "chase" it by closing your left foot to your right. You can do this forward, backward, and diagonally. It’s all about smooth gliding.
Ball Change: A quick weight shift that is the heartbeat of jazz rhythm. It's simply stepping (or tapping) on the ball of one foot and quickly changing weight to the other. It’s the "and 1, and 2" you’ll hear in counts all the time.
[Image: A series of photos demonstrating the breakdown of a jazz square step.]
Adding Flavor: Turns and Leaps
What's jazz without a little flash? Turns and leaps add drama and excitement.
Pivot Turn: The beginner's best friend. Step forward with one foot and turn 180 degrees on the balls of both feet, ending facing the opposite direction. Master this before moving on to more advanced spins.
Jazz Pirouette: A turn on one leg. Start from a strong preparatory position (usually a lunge), spot a fixed point, and whip your head around to find it again. The key is a tight core and a high, controlled passé (one foot to the knee).
Jeté (Zhuh-tay): A leap from one foot to the other. Brush one leg into the air and push off the floor to create a moment of flight. Strive for height and split legs in the air, but start small and focus on a soft, controlled landing.
Pro Tip: "Spotting" is your secret weapon for turns. By focusing your eyes on one spot and whipping your head around to find it, you prevent dizziness and maintain balance. Practice spotting while turning in a chair before trying it standing up.
The Icing on the Cake: Style and Isolation
Jazz isn't just about the steps; it's about how you do them. This is where personality takes over.
Isolations: The ability to move one part of your body independently from the rest. Practice rolling your shoulders forward and back without moving your rib cage. Circle your hips while keeping your upper body still. Isolations add texture and sophistication to your dancing.
Jazz Hands: The most iconic finish in the business! Fingers stretched wide and energized, typically palms facing forward. But it's not just a frantic flap—it's an extension of energy through the fingertips. Practice with tension, then release, to understand the dynamic.
Attitude: This is everything. A raised eyebrow, a smirk, a sharp glance. Jazz dance is a performance. Tell a story with your face and your energy. Are you a cunning cat, a joyful spirit, or a heartbroken lover? Let us see it.
[Image: A dancer hitting a final pose with perfect jazz hands and a beaming, confident expression.]
Your Journey Begins Now
Mastering these essential moves is your passport into the vibrant world of jazz dance. Remember, every pro was once a beginner diligently practicing their first-position turnout in the mirror. Be patient with your body, celebrate the small victories—the first time you nail a triple pirouette, the first time you truly *feel* the rhythm—and most importantly, have fun.
Put on some Ella Fitzgerald or Duke Ellington, clear some space, and practice. From your first position to your final jazz hands, enjoy every step of the journey.
