Kandykane Dance: Jazz Dance Basics- Locomotor Movements in Jazz Dance

Locomotor Movements- use the arms in some way. The arms and legs are often coordinated in opposition. Opposition means that the opposite arm and leg are forward during a step.

Jazz Walks (strut)	There are many varieties of jazz walks. Jazz walks can be performd in pile, in releve, in plic-releve, with any isolation movements, in any direction, and at any tempo. The technique for the basic jazz walk is to roll through the ball of the foot and then the heel to the floor. The legs stretch and reach as far as possible, and at least one foot maintains contact with the floor at all times. The jazz walk is stylized with a step longer than the natural stride. Another stylized variations of the jazz walk is the strut. Between each step of this movement, the leg comes through a low passe position.
The Step Touch	The Step Touch is a progression from the walk. This movement can travel forward, backward, or sideward. Start by stepping with the RF to the front, back or side. The LF then touches the floor next to the RF; no weight is placed on the LF. Generally, the touch is done with the ball of the foot, without the heel touching the floor. A touch many be done with the leg straight or bent; the touch may be to the front, back or side of the stepping foot. A touch is sometimes referred to as a tap. This movement can be performed beginning with the LF and touching with the R.
The Cross Touch	Another walk and touch progressiion which can travel forward or backward. Start by stepping across in a demi plie. The opposite touches the floor to the side or second position.
The Camel Walk	A very stylized walk using the torso movement of the body wave. Step fwd with the heel of the lead foot. Roll from the heel onto the ball of the foot while at the same time executing a body wave upward from the lower back and hips. Finish with the opposite foot sliding in to meet the stepping foot.
The Jazz Square	Consists of four walking steps performed in a square. The first step travels forwards, the second crosses in front of the first, the third step travels backward, and the fourth step opens to the side. The hips and arms are usually used in this step to stylize and accent the movements.
The Jazz Slide	Initiated by stepping to a turned-out second-position lunge andt hen sliding the straight leg along the floor, foot pointed. The hip of the bent leg is pushed in the direction of the lunge so that the body is tilted and asymmetrical. The arms are in second position but, because the body is tilted, they are on an oblique line parallel to the extended sliding leg.
The Grapevine	It travels to the side and can be performed at various tempos. The hips can twist with the movement or they can remain stable. The grapevine can be performed in plie or releve. Can also be in a turning pattern.
The Chasse	A term borrowed from ballet where it is defined as a slide. In jazz it is also a sliding movement, but on closer examination, it can be analyzed as a step-together-step. It is a movement that travel fwd, backward, or sideward. When performed to its fullest, it brings the dancer into the air. When in the air, the legs should be straight, feet pointed and crossed in a tight fifth position.
The Kick Ball Change	A step derived from tap dance. This step is counted one-and-two and is regulary used as transition step because it involves little or no travelling. One leg kick as hgih as determined by flexibility or choreography. The kicking leg steps to the rear of the supporting leg, placing the weight on the ball of the foot, heel lifted. The other foot then steps in place with the weight changing or transferring onto this foot; hence the name kick-ball change.
The Pas de Bourree	‘Bourree’, a movement from a 17th century French dance, consists of three steps. It can be performed in several ways. It also can be counted in several ways: 1&2, 1&a 2&a. The count depends on the tempo and the accent. Pas de Bourree in Place or Travelling fwd or bck (cross, side, front) begins in second position. The first step crosses in front or back. In the second step, the opposite foot steps to second position. In the third step, the first foot steps in place. Pas de Bourree Traveling Sideward (back, side, front) first, crosses in back. second, travels to second position. crosses over the second step, travelling farther sideward. Pas de Bourree Turning first, crosses in back. second, turns the body halfway around by stepping toward the back. third, completes the turn by crossing in front of the second step.
The Triplet	A three-step movement with the first step in plie and the 2nd & 3rd steps in releve. Usually travels fwd but can also be backward, sideward or turning. A triplet may be identified as a mamba when it is executed with a twisting of the torso and hips.
Kicks (Grand Battements)	Can be inplace or travelling across the floor. As an inplace movement, see Ballet movements used in Jazz Dance. As a travelling movement, step in front of the kicking leg and then kick the leg that is free. Repeat this across the floor. When doing this movement, the supporting leg can be flat-footed or in plie, releve, or plie-releve (often called ‘forced arch’ because of the exaggerated, or forced, arch of the foot). The extended leg, the leg that is kicking, may be straight or developed (leg goes through a passe position and then is extended to a high kick)
Fan Kick	The leg makes a sweeping arc through space. It crosses in front oft he body, then sweeps to make a half circle before touching the ground. The sweeping leg can be either straight or in attitude; ideally the leg should be at hip level. The supporting leg can be in plie, releve, or releve with a bent knee (called plie-releve)