10 Basic Jazz Dance Steps for Beginners

Jazz dance is a dynamic dance style which is rooted in African-American movement styles and jazz music history. Whether you're new to dance or looking to expand your repertoire, mastering foundational jazz dance steps is crucial. In this guide, we'll explore 10 basic jazz dance steps that will lay the groundwork for your journey to becoming a confident jazz dancer.

1. The Jazz Square

At the heart of jazz dance is the classic jazz square. This step involves a sequence of stepping forward, crossing over, stepping back, and side-stepping, creating a distinct square pattern. Dancers aim to hit all four corners of the square with their stepping motion. As dancers become more comfortable with the jazz square, they can add their own personal style and sass.

2. Chassé

Chassé means to chase as dancers’ feet “chase” one another in this step. Chassé, which can be stepping, sliding, gliding, or jumping, is often used as a preparation step for other movements. To perform it dancers will begin by stepping to the side or to the front, then bring the other foot to meet it, and finally take another step with the first foot.

3. Pas de Bourrée

Pas de Bourrée consists of three steps with alternating feet, usually in the following sequence: back, side, font. Pas de Bourrée is normally a transitional or preparatory step and can be performed as tiny steps or larger strides.

4. Kick Ball Change

Kick Ball Change is exactly what it sounds like! You kick one foot then transfer weight onto the ball of that same foot. Afterwards you take one more step with the opposite foot, completing the last part of the step: the change. This step is a jazz dance classic that can be tailored to various routines.

5. Plié

Borrowed from ballet, the plié is a foundational technique involving knee bends while keeping your heels grounded. It brings depth and control to your jazz dance, enhancing your balance and posture. To help you remember, plié means to bend.

6. Isolations

Isolations are an integral part of jazz dance and dancers from beginners to advanced will benefit immensely from practicing isolations. To do an isolation, focus on moving a single body part while keeping the rest of your body still. This can be your head, hand, hip or any other part of your body. Isolations can be used as accents within a jazz dance choreography to create more texture and increase difficulty.

7. Shimmy

Shake things up with the shimmy – a lively movement that involves rapid shoulder and hip shaking. This step allows you to infuse your dance with personality and showcase your ability to let loose.

8. Jazz Walks

Feel the beat of the music in your soul with jazz walks. Traditional jazz walks are a sideways movement. If you’re moving towards the right, you would take a step with your right foot then cross over with your left. You keep repeating this pattern. The left would be the other way around. So you would take a step with your left foot then cross over with your right. Jazz walks give dancers the perfect opportunity to show off their confidence and personal sparkle.

9. Pivot

Pivots are an essential element of jazz dance. Execute a pivot by stepping forward with one foot, making sure both feet stay on the ground, and begin to turn from the front to the back without picking up your feet. Your feet should turn but they should stay on the floor where you placed them initially.

10. Pirouette

A pirouette is a bit more advanced but still a very foundational jazz dance step. A pirouette involves spinning on one foot while the other is held close to the knee in a Passé or Retiré position. Achieving balance and core strength is essential for mastering this turning step.

Get into a Jazz Dance Class

The best way to learn is to get into the studio! Find a jazz dance class wherever you are and get going. If you’re based in Graz, Austria then join our jazz classes. We have classes for beginners to advanced dancers at every age.