How to Do a Jazz Pirouette

Pirouettes are a type of turn executed on one foot that originated in ballet, and they are also used in jazz dance. To perform a jazz pirouette, you need to know how to stretch and strengthen your muscles to avoid injury. You also need to learn the correct steps that will set you up to perform the pirouette.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Stretching to Warm Up

1
Strengthen your ankles and legs with an exercise band. Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you, and wrap the therapy band around one of your feet. Hold the ends of the band in each hand, and point your toes while keeping tension in the band to create resistance. Flex your foot so your toes are pointing at the ceiling, and your calf is being stretched.
- Don’t stretch either of your feet if they’re injured, because you may make the injury worse.
2
Stretch your legs at the ballet barre. Standing on one leg, lift the other leg and rest your ankle on the barre. Relax over the stretched leg, and keep your hips square over your standing leg. It’s important to keep your hips square in the direction you’re stretching, because many ballet positions require you to keep your hips stable.
- Remember to breath deeply while you stretch, because it relaxes your body for better flexibility.
- Stretch on a bar that’s a good height for your level of flexibility.
3
Pull your feet back to stretch the top muscles. Sitting on the floor, extend one leg with the other crossed over the thigh. Push one hand into your heel, but relax the Achilles tendon as you do so. Then, pull your toes downward until your foot arches and you feel the stretch at the top of your foot.
- Don’t pull too hard, or you may get a cramp in your foot.
- Sit and stretch one leg or both the legs and stretch to the sides or do the quad stretches.^{[1]XExpert SourceBridgette Borzillo
  Dance Instructor & Artistic DirectorExpert Interview. 10 September 2021.}
- To exercise the joints and muscles, you can bend your knees to the sides keeping your feet together.^{[2]XExpert SourceBridgette Borzillo
  Dance Instructor & Artistic DirectorExpert Interview. 10 September 2021.}
4
Sit with your legs extended to do ankle circles. Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you and your toes pointing at the ceiling. Move your feet in circles to give your ankles a full range of motion.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Repeat this 10 times in both directions.
5
Rotate your shoulders by doing arm circles. Lie flat on your back with your arms out on either side like a scarecrow. Your entire ribcage should be touching the mat. Start moving your arms in circles so that your fingers point at the ceiling.^{[4]XResearch source}
- To get the full benefit of this movement, repeat 5 to 8 times moving your arms in both directions.
6
Stretch your back with spinal flexion and extension. Sit on a chair at the edge of the seat. Bend your head toward your knees to flex your back muscles. Reverse this movement to extend your spine, so your head should be pointing to the ceiling.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Repeat this 5 times to fully stretch your back muscles.
Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Getting into Position

1
Get some Jazz shoes, preferably split sole for flexibility. Split sole allows more flexibility than full sole shoes. These are similar to ballet shoes, and they allow you to bend your feet when you do a pirouette. Half soles or turning shoes also work well for pirouettes.
- Practice with socks or dance shoes so it will be easier to turn. Turning barefoot can hurt if you haven't built up calluses, and it's very difficult.
- Make sure to turn on a flat surface.
2
Place your legs in fourth position to prepare the stance. To get in fourth position, your legs need to be parallel with your feet. So both legs need to be turned out equally with toes pointing away from the body. One leg should the placed in front of the other with feet no more than 1.5 feet (0.46 m) apart. Point one arm out in front of you, and the other to the side, so they’re in an “L” shape.
- The front heel should be down while the back heel is popped up ready to be used for lift.
3
Do a demi plie in fourth position. With your legs still in fourth position, bend your knee caps so they are pointing outwards. Keep your heels on the floor at the same time. Bend your knees as far as they will go without sticking your rear out and without lifting your knees.
- Don’t lift your heels off the floor during a demi plie, because you need to push off your heels for pirouettes and jumps.
4
Move your back leg to passé. Push off your back foot and place your leg so that your knee is facing forward while it’s turned in. Your toes should be right above the knee on the opposite leg. Your supporting leg should be turned outward to support the passé. ^{[6]XResearch source}
- You’ll know your knee is too high if it goes above the hip. You can also look at the angle of the quad muscle to see if it is parallel to the ground. In a good passé, the quad should be parallel to the floor.
5
Move your arms into first position. While in passé, put your arms in first position by bending them so you look as though you’re cradling a ball against your ribs. Finger tips should almost be touching when your arms are in first position, and your hands should be level with your ribcage.
- Palms should be facing your body.
Advertisement

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Executing the Pirouette

1
Stare at a focal point to stay balanced. This is called spotting. You can spot by looking at something on the wall, someone in the audience, or your reflection in the mirror. When you start the spin, you’re going to look at that spot, and then look at it again when you end the pirouette.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Spotting is extremely important; if you don't do it, you will most likely fall.
- Your head and neck will stay aligned better if you keep your chin parallel with the floor.
2
Point the toes of the foot in passé to keep the center of your body balanced. The toes should be above the opposite knee, and they should be flexed so that your foot is arching. Your supporting leg should be straight.
- Be mindful to keep your ankles straight, and don’t slouch them.
3
Bring the left side of your body around to perform the turn. This should be done from passé. Move your body upward, as though a string is pulling you up straighter. Keep your abdomen tight as you turn, so you stay balanced.^{[8]XResearch source}
- During your pirouette, don’t whip your arms around. Instead, focus on your whole body making the turn.
- Initiating a spin can be easily accomplished by pushing in the direction of the foot, provided you are balanced. Practice balancing in a mirror until you feel confident you can balance during a turn.
Hold your arms in first position, stand in passé, and balance for a split second facing the front before you land completely. When you finish the pirouette, land back in fourth position.^{[9]XResearch source}
Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
I am not able to do a double pirouette, even after practicing for 8 months. Any tips?
Community Answer
Try spotting, and wearing a dance shoe made for spinning, which might make it easier. Make sure your arms are rounded, and as you're turning, move them in. Put your toe above the knee.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 4 Helpful 17
Question
I just cannot balance. Any tips?
Community Answer
Always keep your body straight up and your head straight. Tighten leg and stomach muscles, and don't lift your shoulders. Keep your hips straight across from each other, and make sure you aren't lifting one up.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 4 Helpful 11
Question
When I get to the third turn, I always lose control. How can I prevent this?
Community Answer
When going into the third spin from the second, you may want to move your hips, balance over your leg again and re-position your weight during transition.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 4 Helpful 9

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Think of yourself as a coin when you spin. A coin is flat on both sides, and so should you be when you’re performing a perfect pirouette.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
Be mindful that your neck is aligned while you’re spotting. You don’t want to stick it out too far, and you also shouldn’t tense it up.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0

Warnings

Turning on carpet is dangerous. It may seem like a good idea in case you fall, but turning on carpet causes too much friction, and you foot will stick to the ground. Spin on flat, open surfaces.
Thanks
Helpful5 Not Helpful0
Without stretching, you might pull a muscle. Do Pilates or yoga stretches before practicing.
Thanks
Helpful2 Not Helpful1