In dance, a pivot turn (or simply pivot) is a general classification for
dance turn
In dance and gymnastics, a turn is a rotation of the body about the vertical axis. It is usually a complete rotation of the body, although quarter (90°) and half (180°) turns are possible for some types of turns. Multiple, consecutive turns are ...
s in which the performer's body rotates about its vertical axis without traveling. The performer may be supported by one or both feet, which swivel in place during the pivot turn.
[ Ann Hutchinson (2005) "]Labanotation
Labanotation (the grammatically correct form "Labannotation" or "Laban notation" is uncommon) is a system for analyzing and recording human movement. The inventor was Rudolf von Laban (1879-1958), a central figure in European modern dance, who ...
: The System of Analyzing and Recording Movement", , Chapter 8: "Turns", section "Pivot Turns In some dance genres, a pivot on both feet is called a ''twist turn''. Pivot turns are commonly named as such in
ballroom dancing
Ballroom dance is a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world, mostly because of its performance and entertainment aspects. Ballroom dancing is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television.
...
,
folk dancing and
ethnic dances. In many other dance genres, pivot turns are known by specific names and typically are not referred to as pivots. For example, in ballet, a
pirouette
In dance and gymnastics, a turn is a rotation of the body about the vertical axis. It is usually a complete rotation of the body, although quarter (90°) and half (180°) turns are possible for some types of turns. Multiple, consecutive turns are ...
is a type of pivot turn on one foot.
Ethnic dances
A
Native American pivot turn, as described by Bessie and May Evans (1931), is performed standing on the ball of one foot and tapping with the other foot, accompanied with small turns on the standing foot with each tap. The full turn requires about 16 taps.
["Native American Dance Steps", by Bessie Evans, May Garrettson Evans, 2005: , first published by A. S. Barnes & Co., 1931.]
A
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eigh ...
n pivot turn, as described by Bessie and May Evans, is performed as follows. The right foot is placed flat and the left foot is placed with the toe by the right heel and the left heel raised and this relative position basically maintained during the turning. The turn starts with the right foot raised from the floor. While continuously revolving, on each strong beat (
downbeat
' (styled in all caps) is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond", the last word indicating its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chi ...
) the right foot is stepped flat and on each weak beat (
upbeat) the left foot is stepped on the ball (by the right heel).
[
]
Ballroom technique
Various types of pivot turns are performed in ballroom dance
Ballroom dance is a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world, mostly because of its performance and entertainment aspects. Ballroom dancing is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television. ...
, including slip pivot, reverse pivot, chains of pivot turns, half pivot (as in fourth step of a natural spin turn), man's first step of an outside spin, and man's third step (toe pivot) of a double reverse spin.[''The Ballroom Technique''; ]Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) is an international dance teaching and examination board based in London, England. The registered educational charity, which was established on 25 July 1904 as the ''Imperial Society of Dance Te ...
.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pivot Turn
Social dance steps