Chassé

Definition

A chassé is a gliding step in dance, commonly used in jazz, where one foot 'chases' the other foot out of its position. This step involves a combination of shifting weight and sliding, creating a smooth transition from one position to another. Chassés are often performed in quick succession and can be used to travel across the stage or change directions gracefully, making it an essential component in advanced jazz techniques.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Chassé can be performed in various directions, including forward, backward, and sideways, adding versatility to choreography.
2. In jazz dance, chassés often appear as part of larger sequences and can be combined with turns or jumps for added flair.
3. The technique emphasizes weight transfer and fluidity, making it essential for developing advanced jazz dance skills.
4. Chassé is not only used in jazz but is also seen in ballet and contemporary dance, showcasing its broad applicability across styles.
5. Proper execution of a chassé requires good control and balance to maintain the smooth, gliding motion characteristic of this step.

Review Questions

• How does a chassé differ from other common dance steps like a pas de bourrée?
  • A chassé differs from a pas de bourrée primarily in its movement style and purpose. While a chassé is a gliding step that involves chasing one foot after the other, creating a smooth transition across the floor, a pas de bourrée consists of three quick steps that shift weight between feet. The chassé emphasizes fluid motion and travel across the stage, whereas the pas de bourrée is more about quick changes of direction and rhythm.
• What role does the chassé play in advanced jazz techniques and choreography?
  • The chassé plays a vital role in advanced jazz techniques by providing dancers with a means to travel smoothly while maintaining rhythm and style. In choreography, it allows for seamless transitions between different movements and can add energy to performance sequences. Dancers often incorporate chassés into routines to connect steps, change directions quickly, or enhance visual appeal with its gliding effect.
• Evaluate how mastering the chassé can influence a dancer's overall performance quality in jazz dance.
  • Mastering the chassé significantly enhances a dancer's overall performance quality by improving their fluidity, control, and ability to connect movements seamlessly. As dancers become more proficient in executing this step, they develop better weight transfer skills and balance, which are crucial for more complex choreography. Additionally, a strong command of the chassé allows dancers to convey emotion and character through their movements, elevating their presence on stage and making their performances more engaging.

Related terms

pas de bourrée:

A quick stepping movement often used in jazz and ballet, where the dancer transfers weight from one foot to the other in a three-step sequence.

tendu:

A movement in dance where the dancer extends one leg straight out from the body, keeping the foot pointed and connected to the floor.

jazz square:

A basic step pattern that involves moving in a square shape, often used to change directions and create rhythm in jazz dance.