Jazz Dance Techniques

There are various jazz dance techniques taught in studios all over the United States. Below are just a few ideas of styles and structures popular with dancers today.

The Importance of Technique

No matter how you slice it, a dancer is not going to excel in any style without an adequate level of technique. While most consider technique to be all about steps and terminology, it can also refer to an execution of style. Jazz dance techniques of style are of the utmost importance, especially for dancers who participate in performance and/or competition. Without a stylistic flair, jazz dance quickly becomes mundane.

There are a few aspects of a dance studio that contribute to great jazz dance techniques:

Music

Music will make or break a class. A teacher may play show tunes, traditional jazz music, or even hip hop if it means getting a class moving. Jazz dance techniques are formed and developed through expression of himself through the music, and so many instructors love to use a variety. If you are a teacher yourself, looking to improve the technique and excitement level of your students, consider burning a mixed CD of your favorite tunes. It can be a favorite song you heard on the radio, or a classic artist from the 1960s. Whatever you pick, try your best to change up the mood of your class a few times during the session. You will be amazed at what comes out.

Structure

A teacher will also find that the best jazz dance techniques are formed out of having a carefully structured class. Students should spend an adequate amount of time warming up and stretching. Even doing the simplest of isolations can inspire new choreography and ideas. Spending a proper amount of time with basic jazz disciplines will also give a dancer more of a versatile style, as they will have a body trained for a wide variation of movements. Those who are able to spend the time going back to basics will more than likely excel at any style or technique thrown at them.

Time for Expression

As already mentioned in the above sections, personal expression is a huge part of jazz dance. Students should always be encouraged to add some spice to the steps they learn, throwing in their own personality. This not only makes a class more enjoyable, but it trains future soloists how to develop their own unique spin on classic moves when it is time for that big performance date.

A Great Time to Learn Jazz Dance Techniques

What is the significance of learning such a type of technique? Unlike ballet, which is very traditional in its movements and exposure to the public, jazz dance is popping up everywhere. From Broadway to music videos to high school drill teams, jazz dance is incorporated into so many places, it is a vital style to be proficient in if you plan on being a professional dancer.

Even if you aren’t, it is a great way to cultivate a hobby that allows you to be yourself. There is no “right or wrong” in jazz dance. Rather, there are those who choose to be free in their movements, and those who can’t take the heat of such an improvisational and creative dance style.

So give jazz dance a try, no matter if it is your first time in a studio or you are a seasoned pro looking to renew some of that passion you may have lost. Developing your own jazz dance techniques can be a rewarding and fun way to spend your free time!