SaifulFUNK Present Hard Dance Community Blog

Jumpstyle

Jumpstyle is a dance and music genre mainly practiced in Europe, specifically the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and northern France. The dance is also called Jumpen (English word Jump + the Dutch suffix -en, meaning "to jump" or "jumping"). Jumpstyle also refers to a style of music to which Jumpstyle can be performed. Jumpstyle originated in 1997 Belgium. Jumpstyle is an off-shoot of the Gabber music and dance scene.

Performance

The modern dance associated with Jump, has evolved from the hakken-dance (known from gabber music which was popular in the 90s). The modern jump dance is also called skiën (lit. "skiing"). Performance by more than one person is the most popular. The legs are the most important part of the body in jumpstyle. It is performed by a series of forward and backward swings of the legs on the rhythm of the music. The most simple form of jumpstyle can be done like this.

• Swing your right leg forward twice. Your foot should be at the around the same height as your knee is.
• Then raise your left leg.
• Swing the left leg backwards. Your foot should again be at around the same height as your knee.
• Put your left leg back onto the ground, the left foot should be in front of the right foot.
• Repeat the circle

More difficult paces include those with turns, twists and so on.

Music

The music which accompanies Jumpstyle is an offspring of Happy Hardcore and Gabber. Its tempo is usually between 135 and 150 BPM. However, it cannot be seen as merely a slowed down version of gabber. It is characterized by a 909 kick drum used in a 4 to the floor beat. It also has influences from Chicago House and Hard dance.

Variations

Jumpstyle can be performed in various ways:

• Oldskool jump: Was based on the first move that was used in the dance called 'skieën'. Later a certain standard routine came that was a combination of kicking forwards and backwards both legs on the basslines; even later certain moves came such as a spin.
• Tekstyle: The jumper dances to French tek or Hardstyle. The jump is more sidewise than the others.
• Hardjump: This is the hardest variant of Jumpstyle. The basic step is different from the others and the jumper has to pitch hard on the ground.
• Freestyle: With this style, the 'jumper' does whatever he/she feels like; there are no specific restrictions of jumping and it usually involves a mix of Oldskool Jump & Hardjump & tekstyle.
• Duojump: Jumping with two (or more) people at the same time; usually the people performing the Duojump have practiced it before performing it, since they both do exactly the same routine and try to synchronize it as much as possible.
• Jumpjumpjump: Jumping in 3/4 time

Quotes on Jumpstyle

"Jumpstyle has become a lifestyle, like hip-hop or techno. For me, it’s the best party music around. There’s no other style that makes you go so crazy and forget about all your worries."

- Koen Bauweraerts (DJ Coone).

References

1. ^ "Jumpstyle Info". USA Jumpstyle. Retrieved on 7 September, 2008.
2. ^ "Gabber". Muziekcentrum Nederland. Retrieved on 2 November, 2008. (Dutch)
3. ^ "Hoe Jumpen (how toe Jump)". Jumpisthestyle.com. Retrieved on 2 November, 2008. (Dutch)
4. ^ "Over Jumpen (about Jump)". Jumpisthestyle.com. Retrieved on 2 November, 2008. (Dutch)
5. ^ "What Is It? Jumpstyle". XLR8R. Retrieved on 13 September, 2008.