Dance Jazz Theory Flashcards
Plie’
To bend
Chase’
To chase (slide through second position and catch moving across the floor)
Pirouette
To turn (usually from 4th position) from one leg
Fondue
To melt
Chaine
A chain of steps (usually a turn)
Leap
To jump while travelling (with extended legs)
Lunge
to put weight on the front foot, knee bent, back leg extended body positioned to floor
Square
Body aligned to the floor
Flex (To flex, the opposite of pointe)
To elongate your muscles
Choreography
Movement pieced together to make a routine
Devlope’
To unfold
Dairie
To the back
Retire’
To rise
Arabesque
balancing on one leg, extend the other and shift weight forwards
Locomotor
These are ways in which we can move across the room, travel and transition from one position to another. The words here sound familiar but hold a different meaning in dance.
Axial
This is referring to when a dancer is anchored but moves one pat of the body in available space. The words here sound familiar but hold a different meaning in dance. Eg. Swing, melt, rock, pull, roll.
Body Base
This is a position in which you can perform a movement. E.g - Standing, sitting, Kneeling, Lying.
Body Shape
Stretched, curled, twisted, symmetrical, Asymmetrical
Tempo (Music)
Fast, Slow, Increase, Decrease
Accent/ Emphasis
One beat or one count within the music, usually represented with a sharp movement
Rhythm
Steady - Music following the same beat or pattern for the whole song
Pattern - a pattern of beats within the music which are repeated
Breath - a pause within the music
Irregular - music where the beats and rhythms don’t repeat themselves or follow a natural pattern
Levels
Low, Medium and High
Directions
Forward
Backward
Right
Left
Up
Down
Pathways
In the air
On the floor
Straight
Curved
Zigzag
Irregular
individuals, pairs and groups can perform by
contrasting in / out
alone
scattering
gathering
on / off
action
reaction
simultaneous
unison
canon
