Jazz Vocabulary Review

Front

A slide to the floor ending with forward leg straight and back leg bent.

Back

jazz split

Front

A variation on a walk, it travels to the side and can be performed at various tempos. It is executed by stepping to the right with the right foot, stepping behind the right foot with the left foot, stepping right with the right foot and then stepping in front of the right foot with the left foot. This sequence is repeated and can also be done to the left.

Back

grapevine

Front

A contracting of the abdominal muscles so the lower spine becomes rounded and the abdominal area hollowed out. The shoulders remain directly above the hips.

Back

contraction

Front

A position in which the spine is parallel to the floor. The abdominals should be tightly contracted to help keep the weight centered over the feet, as well as to support the spine. The body should be in a 90 degree or upside down L shape. This position is also known as tabletop.

Back

flatback

Front

moving one body part at a time(taking a part of the body and placing it out of its normal position)

Back

isolation

Front

A step derived from tap dance. In jazz dance it is basically executed as its name indicates: do a low kick with one foot, place that foot back with weight briefly shifting from the ball of that foot to the opposite foot. This step is done mainly as a transition or preparatory movement.

Back

kick ball change

Front

A scissor kick involving both legs kicking in the same direction. Can be done forward or back, knees straights or bent, toes pointed. One foot steps and as it starts its kick the other leg simultaneously kicks in the same direction.

Back

hitch kick

Front

A position of the torso in which the heels are lifted, knees flexed, and body is a straight line from knees to top of head. Pelvis remains locked into this alignment.

Back

knee hinge

Front

Stag position denotes lifting front foot to knee of back leg, during leap. Back leg may be in attitude position, turned out or not, or back leg may be in arabesque position. Torso is lifted facing forward or parallel to the floor. Arms can be in various positions.

Back

stag leap

Front

A straight line position, (torso parts connected to vertebrae in a straight line). May be done forward, back, or side with standing heel flat or raised, knee bent.

Back

layout