What are the main differences between modern and jazz (dancing)?

Question

Could anyone give examples from either as i get confused (youtube references?)Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi there,

There are many different dance forms, and they are sometimes hard to keep straight. I hope this helps!

Jazz:

Very show-y, kind of like broadway. Literally is 'jazz hands' lol. But, lots of people put jazz and other dance forms together. The songs are usually upbeat. It uses some ballet techneques and also hip-hop, but not much. It developes flexibility, control, and techneque. Here are some videos to show you good examples of jazz dance:

(the first one has some hip-hop feel to parts of it.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNr4YOO7w...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfigjLzsn...

Modern:

Also called modern ballet. In professional studios, only offer classical ballet (or ballet) and modern ballet (or modern). Basically, dancers in the studio are so used to the percise, strict classical ballet class, that the modern ballet class let them 'let go'. Also, in classical ballet, you always have your feet pointed and in modern, you have your feet flexed sometimes. Here are some videos of modern dance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CUynVlGG...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNPCnqVPW...

Have a nice day =)

Answer 2

Modern dance is a form of "free dance".  In the beginning, it was a way to get away from classical ballet.  Big difference:  no shoes are worn in modern dance (although sometimes I've seen dancers wear some form of shoe like lyrical dancers http://www.discountdance.com/frame_set.p... )

Jazz dance originated later and sometimes includes forms of tap or musical theater.  A lot of the "classic" jazz stuff looks like something you'd see on Broadway.  Same goes for the music... think Broadway.  The movements are also more definite... they go on the downbeat.  Modern can vary  with the music... sometimes on the upbeat.  

Modern Dance:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTL-FYx26...

-- you can see how the movements are some that you couldn't really name, it's expressive of the music

Jazz Dance:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Gumlh14...

-- see how the movements are very definite... there are very clear and deliberate turns, leaps, etc.

Both are choreographed in these examples.  Also... there is modern jazz to confuse you further.  The thing is... so many genres cross over.  In fact... even tap could be considered jazz (and it used to be !)

Anyway... these are classic examples for you to look at.