Summary
This video tutorial breaks down the basic jive movement, starting with the chasse and then the rock step. It emphasizes keeping steps compact and on the inside edge of the ball of the foot to maintain closed knees. The instructor introduces a marching exercise to illustrate the essential weight transfer, bending knees, straightening under weight, and the pendulum-like hip action that drives the movement and changes direction. This hip action is then applied to both the chasse and the rock step, with a focus on collecting the free foot on the 'and' count. The tutorial concludes with practicing the full basic movement with and without music.
Key Insights
Mastering the hip action is crucial for jive, focusing on a pendulum-like movement after straightening the knee.
The core of the jive movement involves a specific hip action. After stepping and bending the knee, the weight is transferred by straightening the knee. It is only upon straightening the knee that the hip is allowed to 'saddle' or move to the side, creating a pendulum effect. This action is key for both the chasse and the rock step, and it dictates the change in direction.
Compact steps and pressure on the inside of the foot's ball help maintain control and proper technique.
To effectively dance the jive, especially with its fast tempo, maintaining small, compact steps is essential. Steps should not be wider than shoulder-width. Furthermore, pushing off or stepping onto the inside edge of the ball of the foot is vital. This technique helps keep the knees closed and aligned, preventing them from splaying outwards, which is crucial for the characteristic jive movement.
Sections
Jive Basic Movement: Chasse Breakdown
Start with the chasse part of the basic step, focusing on timing and footwork.
The tutorial begins by breaking down the chasse, initially without the rock step. The count provided is '5, 6, 7, 8, 1 a 2, 3 a 4, 1 a 2, 3 a 4' (repeated), which is a common way to count the jive chasse and its variations.
Keep steps compact, no wider than shoulder-width, to stay on time with fast music.
It's crucial to maintain compact steps throughout the jive to keep up with the fast tempo. The steps should not be wider than the dancer's shoulders, ensuring efficiency and precision.
Press on the inside edge of the ball of the foot to keep knees closed.
When stepping, pressure should be applied to the inside edge of the ball of the foot. This action helps to keep the knees aligned and closed, which is a fundamental aspect of good jive technique.
Maringue-like marching exercise demonstrates core jive hip and knee action.
An exercise is introduced, resembling merengue marching ('1, 2, 3, 4'), to teach the essential jive chasse and rock step action. This involves transferring weight into a bent knee, straightening under the weight, and then saddling the hip. Mastering this marching exercise is said to significantly improve one's jive.
Weight transfer involves bending the knee, straightening under weight, and then saddling the hip.
The weight transfer technique is detailed: first, press onto the ball of the foot, bending the knee. Then, transfer weight to the bent knee. As the knee straightens under the weight, the hip naturally saddles, creating a pendulum action that changes direction.
Hip action creates a pendulum movement, determining changes in direction.
The hip action, described as a pendulum, moves to the side. This side-to-side hip movement, occurring after the knee straightens and under the transfer of weight, is what allows the dancer to change direction effectively.
In chasse, step, step together action involves hip saddle on the second step.
When executing a chasse with a 'step, step together' variation, the hip saddles on the second step ('and' count). The dancer bends the knee, straightens it, and then saddles the hip, transferring weight and initiating the next movement.
Jive Basic Movement: Rock Step Breakdown
Rock step back uses similar actions: stepping back, bending and straightening knee, and hip saddle.
The rock step back mimics the hip and knee actions of the chasse. When stepping back on the left foot, the dancer presses into the bent knee, straightens it, and then saddles the hip on the 'and' count. This is followed by the triple step.
Maintain a centered spine and avoid leaning too far back during the rock step.
During the rock step back, it's important to keep the spine relatively centered and avoid excessive backward lean. The hip should move back, but the upper body should remain controlled.
Collect the free foot closer on the 'and' count while saddling the hip.
On the count 'and' when the hip saddles in the rock step, the free foot should be collected closer to the standing leg. This involves lifting the knee higher and creating a more compact and dynamic movement, rather than leaving the foot trailing.
This collection of the foot helps create a more 'tiny' and visually appealing action.
Collecting the foot tightly on the 'and' count not only aids in preparing for the next step but also contributes to a sharper, more 'tiny', and visually appealing jive style.
Putting It All Together and Practice
Recap key principles: small steps, inside ball pressure, closed knees, and delayed hip action.
A summary reinforces the main points: keep steps small, apply pressure to the inside edge of the ball of the foot, maintain closed knees, and execute the hip action with a slight delay after straightening the knee.
Practice the full basic movement, combining chasse and rock step, with counts and then music.
The tutorial concludes with practicing the complete basic jive movement, which includes the chasse and the rock step, first to Alexi's count and then to music. This integrated practice helps solidify the technique learned.
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