Lesson: Intermediate Jazz Progressions

Here's a great entry by Deanna Marrello on various jazz progressions that you can incorporate into an intermediate dance class. These can of course be adjusted to all levels. You can reconfigure this information into a table or other preferred format.

Alignment/ Posture
INTERMEDIATE

Begin in parallel position (check alignment: shoulders, hips, knees, ankles stacked, and center engaged)

Bring right foot to coupe, and beat against leg 8 times
Lift to full passé, and beat against leg 8 times

Lower to coupe- 4 counts
Passse- 4 counts

Coupe- 2 ** arms in first throughout
Passe- 2

Coupe- 1
Passé-1
(x2)

From passé, pulse the leg higher (4 times), rise lower, and extend to the front, lower and close through tendue using the floor.
**arms to second, as leg extends front

Repeat on the left

Sequencing/ Transitions/ Locomotor
PIQUE TURNS (across the floor, sequencing exercise)
INTERMEDIATE
Counts
Body, Legs, Feet
Arms
1
Step side
second
2-4
Pas de bouree
Prepare for turn (4th)
5-6
Pique turn
Open, close
7-8
Pique turn
Open, close
REPEAT UNTIL DANCERS ARE ALL THE WAY ACROSS FLOOR
Reverse

TURNS AND JUMPS (across the floor)
INTERMEDIATE/ ADVANCED
Counts Body, Legs, Feet Arms
1 (facing front) Step side second
2-4 Pas de boure Prepare for turn (4th)
5-6 Chene turn Open, close to first
7-8 Step to parallel 4th Stay in first
1 & 2 Kick ball change Open to second, carry to 4th
3-4 Pirouette first
5-6 chasse “L” shape (opposition)
7-8 Step, grand jete Swing down, and back up (opposition)

Strength/ Flexibility
Partner stretch (hamstrings):
One partner lies on their back, with shoulders and hips aligned on the floor. The other partner stands above, straddling their partner’s body. The person on the floor hugs one knee into chest and extends the leg toward the ceiling. The person standing holds their partner’s leg and ensures that the knee is stretched, toe is pointed, and both hips remain on the floor. Partner holds this stretch at a place where the person feels slight tension. After about 20 seconds, the person on the floor resists against their partner for ten seconds, before they relax the muscle and allow the leg to be stretched further (closer to the floor). Repeat this three times, each time gradually stretching leg closer to the floor. Repeat on both sides, and switch partners.
Ø Using resistance in any position is a great way to increase flexibility.
Ø Partner stretching encourages listening skills (between partners) and trust among students in class

Gravity Pull:
Students find a ‘piece of wall’, and lie flat on their backs, bum against the wall, legs perpendicular. Using gravity, allow legs to drop open into a second position split against the wall. The teacher circulates around the classroom and very gently pushes both heels closer to the floor, increasing the split. Allow students to stay in this stretch for at least 2-3 minutes. In order to safely come out of this deep stretch, have students bring one leg in and roll over to one side on the floor. They should not ‘pop’ out of this position, or jump up into standing until the muscles relax and return to a comfortable place.

Abdominal/ Core Exercise
Students lie on their stomachs and lift upper body to hold onto ankles (rocking horse) HOLD THIS POSITION FOR 4 COUNTS IN MUSIC
Release grasp and quickly roll onto tailbone, creating a “V” shape with upper body and lower body (jack-knife position). HOLD FOR 4 COUNTS IN MUSIC
Continue exercise rolling from front to back in these positions, for as many repetitions as possible. I usually try about 8-10 with my students. This is a full core work-out!!

Turns
PIROUETTES (jazz)
BEGIN: Feet in parallel position, arms held at sides
BEGINNER (Intro to Pirouttes)

Counts Body, Legs, Feet Arms
1-2 Passe First
3-4 Return to parallel Lower
5-6 Repeat passe First
7-8 Lower Hold in first
1-2 Tendue side (parallel) Extend to jazz second
3-4 Preparation in 4th parallel Jazz 4th (“L” shape)
5-6 Passe First
7-8 Lower Lower

BEGINNER 2 (Intro to Pirouttes )
Repeat above exercise, coming to rise on each passé

INTERMEDIATE (single turn)
Repeat above exercise, completing a single pirouette on the final passé (in the second count of 8)

ADVANCED (double turn)
Repeat above exercise, completing a double pirouette on the final passé (in the second count of 8)