JAZZ DANCE STYLES AND STEPS FOR FUN [Paperback]

Helene Andreu (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: 1st Book Library (February 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403361746
• ISBN-13: 978-1403361745
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,948,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5-Star Review, July 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: JAZZ DANCE STYLES AND STEPS FOR FUN (Paperback)

Forewordreview.com gave this book 5 stars. The review is as follows:

Jazz Dance Styles and Steps for Fun - by Helene Andreu

Learning how to dance takes courage, and the opportunity to take the first awkward steps in the privacy of one's own home offers many who are too shy to venture out to a class a chance to discover a healthy avenue for fun and exercise. Andreu's comprehensive instructive guide to American Jazz dance is geared mainly toward those who have some dance experience already, as well as for beginners who are adept at visualizing movement from detailed, step-by-step directions.

Instead of imposing a regimen on her readers, Andreu allows everyone to determine what they want to learn and when. "You, the reader, decide how to use the book," Andreu explains at the start, "either proceed from the beginning to the end; or choose a favorite style and gradually learn that entire chapter; or look at the symbols for level of difficulty and learn all the easiest steps first, or learn the jogging sequence and aerobic variation of each step if that is your prime interest."

Each chapter details a different style of dance, including Latin, Swing, Afro-Caribbean, and free-form jazz, with ample background information on the history, trends, and influence of the dance. A bibliography of selected readings is also included for each jazz style, along with a discography of recommended music to accompany the routines. Visual learners are aided in the translation of described movements by still photographs throughout of the author and other dancers performing the steps, while those with some dance experience should be familiar enough with stage directions and basic steps to move quickly through the routines of their choosing.

Copious detail and thought is evident in each page of the book, and at first the volume of information appears overwhelming, the learning curve daunting. Yet once readers understand the system-symbols indicate the difficulty level of each step, with routines for both aerobic exercise and dance-the tools are readily available to begin.

Andreu, who has taught all ages of people all forms of dance, from ballet to tap to folk and ethnic, promises that by the end "you'll have acquired grace, stamina, coordination, and fitness through the excellent workouts in various styles of jazz with a contemporary flair." Her obvious knowledge and enthusiasm does everything to assist in achieving this end.

Review by Christine Thomas, Forewordreview.com

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A quite practical, do-it-yourself instructional guide, July 17, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JAZZ DANCE STYLES AND STEPS FOR FUN (Paperback)

Jazz Dance Styles & Steps For Fun by dancer, dance teacher, and choreographer Helen Andreu, is a quite practical, do-it-yourself instructional guide which is enhanced with black-and-white illustrations. Andreu draws upon considerably expertise to teach the reader how to enjoy jazz dance styles ranging from blues, to disco, to everything in between. Step-by-step instructions, tips for aerobicizing dance steps if one is after an intense workout, sample routines, and so much more, make Jazz Dance Styles & Steps for Fun an excellent and thoroughly "user friendly" self-help resource for serious dance students, aerobic exercise and physical fitness instructors, as well as casual folks simply looking to learn some new floor moves.

2.0 out of 5 stars What?, February 25, 2010

By 

Gordon Reynolds (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: JAZZ DANCE STYLES AND STEPS FOR FUN (Paperback)

This is not what I expected. I have a hard time following the combos that are written. Too wordy.