How to Pivot Step in Jazz

The pivot step is a very simple dance move in jazz, but it is also very flashy. There are few guidelines to how the move is done, so learn the basics and then add your own flair to the step. Jazz dance is all about individuality and style; so be free with your movements. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Do the Pivot Step

1. Stand normally with your weight distributed evenly on both feet. When dancing, this will rarely by the case, but for now, keep it simple.

2. Take a step forward with either foot. Only step forward with one foot and leave the other foot in place.

3. Shift all of your weight to the foot that just stepped forward. Do not take your other foot off the floor just yet.

4. Twist on the ball of your forward foot. Spin your foot around up to 180 degrees, a half turn. For your first try, keep it simple and twist your foot 45 degrees.

5. Let your body follow the foot's turn. Twist your hips to match the spin of your feet and let your back foot leave the ground and follow.

6. Bring your body back to rest. You should be standing just as you were in step one, but facing a new direction.

7. Take a step back to the previous position. For your first time, use the foot that was not used for the first step. Later on, you can mix this up.

8. Continue seamlessly with the dance. This is the end of the pivot step, so at this point, you will either be stopping, performing another pivot step or doing a new move.

9. Put on some jazz music. Try different kinds of jazz from different eras. Try songs with a fast tempo and songs with slower tempos.

10. Practice performing the pivot step to live jazz in a club with a partner. Keep the rhythm and dance to the music normally, the throw in some pivot steps when you get comfortable.

Tips & Warnings

• The basic rules call for a step forward. However, the step can be in any direction. Try all the directions to understand the pivot step further.
• Not all pivot steps require the dancer to take a step back to the original position. Some pivot steps will take a step in a new direction and some pivot steps will not take any step and go into a different dance move.
• There are many different definitions of the dance term, "pivot." General rule of thumb is that a pivot is less than 180 degrees, but this is not set in stone.