Beginning Jazz

Question 1

Plie

Answer 1

Smooth and continuous bending and straightening of the knees. Legs are turned out at hip joints with thighs and knees open above toes.

Question 2

Demi-Plie

Answer 2

Refers to half bending of knees until heels almost raise from floor. Start in first position. Do not roll feet or ankle out.

Question 3

Grand Plie

Answer 3

Full bending of the knees through demi-plie until only balls of feet are on the floor except in second position.

Question 4

Releve

Answer 4

A rise onto the balls of the feet, with legs straight and torso held between first and second toes.

Question 5

Degage

Answer 5

Pointing of the foot in an open position with a fully arched instep. Performed in various positions.

Question 6

Battements

Answer 6

Extension of leg that brushes along floor. Performed in various positions.

Question 7

Battement Tendu

Answer 7

Brush of straight leg to full extension with only toes remaining on floor. Foot releases contact from heel to ball of foot to toes.

Question 8

Battement Degage

Answer 8

Quick brush of the straight leg through tendu to a position no more than four inches off floor. Quick.

Question 9

Grand Battement

Answer 9

High, straight leg lift through tendu and degage to 90 degrees or higher. Leg lifts quickly and returns slowly.

Question 10

Arabesque

Answer 10

Support body on one leg (straight or in demi-plie) while other leg is fully extended to rear and raised as high as possible against the back. Arms held in various harmonious positions. Hips and shoulders should remain square to direction body is facing. Upper torso is held upright.

Question 11

Attitude

Answer 11

Balance position on one leg with opposite leg extended, knee bent to various positions. Thigh should be parallel to floor and toe is slightly below knee.

Question 12

Passe

Answer 12

Balance position on one leg with opposite leg bent and toe pointed to touch hollow of knee of standing leg. In Jazz it is performed in parallel position with foot pressed firmly against leg.

Question 13

Jazz Walks

Answer 13

Many varieties performed in plie, releve, with isolation, in any direction at any tempo. Roll through the ball of the foot and then lower heels to floor. Legs stretch and reach as far as possible with at least one foot on floor at all times.

Question 14

Chasse

Answer 14

Borrowed from ballet where it is defined as a slide. Its a slide but also a step together step. Performed in various directions. When performed fully it brings the dancer into the air. Legs should be straight, feet pointed and crossed together in tight fifth position.

Question 15

Pas de Bourree

Answer 15

(17th century french dance) is a ballet step consisting of three steps. Can be performed in various directions.

Question 16

Triplet

Answer 16

Three-step movement, with first step in plie and the second and third steps in releve. Usually traveling forward but also in various directions. Counted in threes or one and two.

Question 17

Jazz Slide

Answer 17

Stepping to turned-out second position lunge and sliding straight leg across floor, foot pointed. Hip of bent leg is pushed in direction of lunge so body is tilted and asymmetrical. Arms in second position parallel to extended sliding leg.

Question 18

Jazz Square

Answer 18

Four walking steps performed in a square. First step is forward, then second crosses in front of first, third travels backward and fourth opens to the side.

Question 19

Hitch Kick

Answer 19

Legs pass each other in a scissor-like fashion in the air; thus the first kicking leg becomes the landing support leg.

Question 20

Fan Kick

Answer 20

Leg makes a sweeping arc through space. Legs can be in various positions.

Question 21

Kick-Ball Change

Answer 21

Derived from tap-dance. One kicks various heights, then kicking leg steps to rear of supporting leg, placing the weight on the ball of the foot, heel lifted. The other foot then steps in place with the weight changing onto this foot.

Question 22

Turns

Answer 22

Rotating movements performed in place or traveling. They are executed by turning the whole body on two feet, one foot, from one foot to the other; or while jumping. Successful only when spotting(keeping eyes focused).

Question 23

Pivot Turn

Answer 23

Performed on the balls of two feet, quickly changing direction to face opposite direction. Both feet remain in their positions when body is pivoted.

Question 24

Chaine Turn

Answer 24

Two step generally performed in plie. Body rotates 180 degrees on each step of turn and the turning progresses in a straight line. Weight shifts from one leg to the other with evenly balanced steps. When performed in releve, legs should be held in first position turned out. When performed in plie legs are held parallel or turned out in first or second position.

Question 25

Pique Turn

Answer 25

Borrowed from ballet. Full turn on releve on one foot progressing in a straight line. One leg is in demi plie and the other is straight forward. Step sideward with straight leg onto releve and opposite leg closes to low passe behind knee. Turn ends in beginning position and then step sideways again to continue.

Question 26

Piroutte

Answer 26

Ballet turn with one leg in releve and the other in passe. Performed in parallel or turned out position. Also possible with supporting leg in plie

Question 27

Soutenu Turn

Answer 27

Originates in ballet. May rotate in quarter, half or whole turns. Prepare for turn by stepping to parallel second in plie and pulling second leg in to meet the preparation leg as the turn is executed with both legs in releve. Can turn in or out.

Question 28

Jumps

Answer 28

Any aerial movement. Performed in various directions. Must follow four principles. 1. All jumps start in demi-plie. 2. Must point feet 3. Land on balls of feet then follow through with heels 4. End with return to demi-plie.

Question 29

Jump

Answer 29

Take off from two feet and end on two feet. Legs in various positions.

Question 30

Hop

Answer 30

Take off on one foot and land on same foot. Legs in various positions.

Question 31

Assemble

Answer 31

Ballet term meaning assembled. Start on one foot and ends with both feet together.

Question 32

Sissone

Answer 32

Take off from both feet and land on one foot with other leg in the air. Leg is in various positions.

Question 33

Leap/Jete

Answer 33

Grand jump from one foot to the other, legs create arc in the air. Legs can be in various positions.

Question 34

Developpe

Answer 34

Moving leg is drawn up to knee of supporting leg and slowly extended to open position and held with perfect control. Hips kept level and square to the direction in which the dancer is facing.

Question 35

Rond de Jambe

Answer 35

Circular movement of the leg.

Question 36

Adagio

Answer 36

Series of exercises following the centre practice with slow and graceful movements. Principal steps are plies, developpes, degages, grand rond de jambes, etc.