Jazz Progressions by Kathleen!

Here's a detailed "map"of progressions that could be used in a jazz or modern unit by Kathleen Gilbert

ALIGNMENT * Balance, Posture, Breath

arm strength/position for port de bras
a) place your fists side-by-side, grasping a thera-band
b) stretch arms straight in front of you with shoulders pressed down
c) maintaining arm/shoulders, pull fists as far apart as possible (they’ll probably only go ~ 2”)
d) maintaining thera-band pull, rotate fists/arms to the proper arm curve
e) release thera-band but maintain arm position


RHYTHM * Musicality, Dynamics
· clap and count rhythms as a class
o numbers (ex. 1 2 3&4)
o ta-tee tee (ex. tah-tah-tee tee-tah)
o quick-slow (ex. slow-slow-quick-quick-slow)

EVEN Rhythm patterns
Half note 1 3 5 7 (half time)
Quarter note 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Eighth note 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 & 8 & (double time)
Twelfth notes 1 & a 2 & a 3 & a 4 & a 5 & a 6 & a 7 & a 8 & a (triplet)
Sixteenths 1&&a2&&a3&&a4&&a5&&a6&&a7&&a8&&a (quadruplets)

Syncopated Rhythm Patterns (quarter & eighth)
Combinations 1&2 3&4 5&6 7&8
1 2 3 4 5&6 7&8
1&2 3 4 5&6 7 8
1 2&3 4 5&6 7 8&
1&2 3 (4) 5&6 7 (8)

Build a movement pattern to a 4 or 8 count rhythm
· as a class
· individually
o pass the rhythm along the line/circle
o connect the student choreo phrases together

Cannon (as a class)
· even note rhythm ~ single count each
· even note rhythm ~ 2 counts each
· even note rhythm ~ 4 counts each
o 4 counts each…overlapping cannon (dancers start 1,3,5,7, but each dance 4 counts)


SEQUENCING * Transitions, Travelling
Chasse/Gallup
- one foot stays in front the whole time
- switching feet (there is NOT a jump to switch feet)
- add opposition arms in an L

Pas de Bouree
- 3 steps (behind-side-centre)
- add arms in opposition
- speed up the tempo so there is spring to change feet
- turn every 4th pas de bouree under
- 2 straight, 2 turning
- Turn every pas de bouree

STRENGTH & FLEXIBILITY

TURNS
Pirouette (en d’hors)
PARALLEL
- prep 2nd, 4th rear, pull to balance in parallel passé position
- prep 2nd, 4th rear, passe with half turn outside
- prep 2nd, 4th rear, full turn
TURNED OUT
- same sequence…especially holding passé in a balance to ensure hip alignment
FROM 3rd/5th
- prep 2nd, 5th, passé hold
- prep 2nd, 5th, pirouette in passe

Coupe Turns (from 3rd/5th)
- plié/releve on LF – one RF coupe, 1 outside pirouette (X4)

OR - plié, releve on LF – RF to coupe X4
- plié, releve on LF with full turn outside RF in coupe X4

Chase Coupe (travelling)
Level 1 - plié/chase RF to RS (to parallel 2nd), disassemble onto LF with RF in coupe
- travel this all the way across the floor
Level 2 – with the same chase-coupe feet, do 3 facing front & turn the 4th one outside (R shoulder goes back)
Level 3 – alternate 1 front, 1 turn
Level 4 – turn all 4
Level 5 – add arms (same arm as coupe leg) open 1st to 2nd on the chase, circle up to 5th on the jump


JUMPS
Spotting – (with jumps)
- feet parallel 1st throughout
4 jumps = ¼ turn, ¼ turn, ¼ turn, ½ turn
Repeat 4 times to making 16 jumps and 5 complete turns


LEVELS