The next balancé will be to the left side. It is usually preceded by a pas couru or a chassé. When this term is added to the name of a step, the movement is performed while jumping. Fondu on the L foot, extending the R leg forward again. They are done with the supporting foot flat on the ground , on the body. This position corresponds to the fifth position en bas, Cecchetti method. Small battement on the ankle. Broken, breaking. In the beginning, ballet was only performed by royalty in the courts of kings and queens. This is the bending of the knees. The bending movement should be gradual and free from jerks, and the knees should be at least half-bent before the heels are allowed to rise. See Battement en cloche, grand. For ronds de jambe à terre en dedans, reverse the movements. The torso is held perpendicular. En pointe (ahn PWANT or on point): Balancing on the tips of your toes (for women only). This is the dignified, classical walk of the ballerina and the premier danseur. If the développé is at 45 degrees, the working leg opens from sur le cou-de-pied. In pirouettes the term indicates that a pirouette is made outward toward the working leg. The dancer tries to remain in the air in a definitely expressed attitude or arabesque and descends to the ground in the same pose. Also taught at 25 degrees, round of the leg - tendu front, make a circle toward side with toe, then toward back (en dehors or outward) or back,side, front (en dedans or inward), to melt - one leg pliés and straightens (standing leg) the other leg may be moving or stationary, developed - unfolding working leg in the air - through a passé position, body position standing on one leg with the other extended to the back. Tendu. Carriage of the arms. In reference to a particular step (for example, jeté devant), the addition of the word “devant” implies that the working foot is closed in the front. Cabriole may be done devant, derrière and à la seconde in any given position of the body such as croisé, effacé, écarté, etc. A term applied to a whipping movement. A term used to indicate a movement of the torso from the waist upward, bringing one shoulder forward and the other back with the head turned or inclined over the forward shoulder. As, for example, in battements tendus en croix. Ballet terms are French (a few are Italian) because the French were the first to codify ballet technique. Turning. Positions of the arms. Pricked, pricking. In the shape of a cross. As, for example, in assemblé dessous. In steps and exercises the term en dedans indicates that the leg, in a position à terre or en l’air, moves in a circular direction, counterclockwise from back to front. A term of the French School and the Cecchetti method. If the échappé is done in the second position the R foot may be closed either front or back. Stretched. Plié means to bend or bending. Demi means half (demi plié), and grande means big or large (grande plié). It is a position on one leg with the other lifted in back, the knee bent at an angle of 90 degrees and well turned out so that the knee is higher than the foot. Also termed “changement battu.” Fifth position R foot front. Basic Ballet Terminology and Meanings • Plié. Meaning ‘to bounce’, it refers to ease and lightness in jumps, describing their quality instead of height. Can be a great tool for teaching terms to new ballet learners of ALL ages! On the upbeat, demi-plié and raise the L leg to 45 degrees, inclining the body slightly forward; step on the L foot in the demi-plié toward corner 6, opening the arms to the second position; throw the R leg forward to 90 degrees (passing through the first position) toward corner 6 and push off the floor with the L leg. The force for the first turn is taken by the R arm, which opens to the second position. When the foot reaches the position pointe tendue, it then returns to the first or fifth position. Tossed. I have invited some amazing local students to help me in this project. The third position is usually omitted. Demi-plié in the second position (R arm curved in front of the body, L arm in second); spring onto the L demi-pointe, throwing the R leg to the second position and touring en dehors. En dedans (Russian School): Fouetté en dedans is done in the same manner as en dehors. This may refer to positions (the second and fourth positions of the feet are positions ouvertes), limbs, directions, or certain exercises or steps. The other foot then pushes away from the floor so that both knees are straight and both feet strongly pointed for a moment; then the weight is shifted to the working foot with a fondu. Whipped. Occasionally the term may refer to a lowering of the working foot from a position pointe tendue to the ground and reraising it to the position pointe tendue, as in battement tendu relevé. Although the positions of the feet are standard in all methods, the positions of the arms are not, each method having its own set of arm positions. Ballon is the light, elastic quality in jumping in which the dancer bounds up from the floor, pauses a moment in the air and descends lightly and softly, only to rebound in the air like the smooth bouncing of a ball. These are the Italian positions. Translation: Knee-bend. Refers either to a step which is traveled in the air from one spot to another (such as assemblé dessus porté) or to the carrying of a danseuse by a danseur. In ballet it is a position of the body, in profile, supported on one leg, which can be straight or demi-plié, with the other leg extended behind and at right angles to it, and the arms held in various harmonious positions creating the longest possible line from the fingertips to the toes. Large pirouette in the second position. to bend (standing leg or legs) - either demi (half) or grand (big), heels come off the floor in grand plié in all positions except second, stretched or held - brush foot along the floor until pointed, from a closed position to an open position, (thrown) brush a tendu a little harder until leg/foot comes up off floor to about 45 degrees (aka dégagé). A complete A-Z glossary of ballet language used to define steps in class. The force of momentum is furnished by the arms, which remain immobile during the turn. Through common usage the term has become abridged to développé. This product contains 99 flashcards of basic ballet terminology and their definitions. Sissonne is named for the originator of the step. From a demi-plié in the fifth position the working foot glides along the floor until it reaches a position à la demi-hauteur. Arabesques are generally used to conclude a phrase of steps, both in the slow movements of adagio and the brisk, gay movements of allégro. A step of low elevation performed to a quick tempo. The other foot, which is pointed a few inches from the floor, slides into the fifth position in demi-plié. Three-quarters of the turn should be made with the R foot in position on the supporting knee. The step owes its name to the likeness of the movement to a cat’s leap. Entrechats are divided into two general classes: the even-numbered entrechats, or those which land on two feet– deux, quatre, six, huit and dix– and the odd-numbered entrechats, or those which land on one foot– trois, cinq, sept and neuf. Arabesque One of the basic poses in ballet. An exercise at the barre or in the centre in which one leg is made to describe a series of circular movements on the ground. In ballet, allégro is a term applied to bright, fast or brisk steps and movement. Same as grand battement jeté balancé, but the body remains upright as the leg swings. Basic Ballet Terms; Shared Flashcard Set. Jumped, jumping. If the développé is at 90 degrees, the working leg is brought from sur le cou-de-pied to retiré, that opens in the desired direction as the supporing knee straightens. Cabrioles are divided into two categories: petite, which are executed at 45 degrees, and grande, which are executed at 90 degrees. The “Sun King”, King Louis XIV of France, began the first school of dance. In all entrechats both legs beat equally. Closed sissonne. Execute a pirouette en dehors on the L leg. Thumbs are the Baby birds in the nest, they are sleeping. Level. Double cabriole. A battement tendu is the commencing portion and ending portion of a grand battement and is an exercise to force the insteps well outward. Withdrawn. Throwing step. A Polish folk dance in 3/4 time which has been introduced into a number of ballets as a character dance. Now, people of all ages and The second foot in the sequence (in any direction) assembles behind the first to relevé in fifth or fourth position. It is done forward to attitude croisée or effacée, and to all the arabesques. Indicates that the working foot passes behind the supporting foot. There are two principal pliés: grand plié or full bending of the knees (the knees should be bent until the thighs are horizontal) and demi-plié or half-bending of the knees. On the points. Both legs come to the ground simultaneously in the fifth position. As, for example, in rond de jambe à terre en dehors. Indicates that the dancer is to stand high on the balls of the feet and under part of the toes. Interweaving or braiding. A step of beating in which the dancer jumps into the air and rapidly crosses the legs before and behind each other. Exercises on port de bras can be varied to infinity by combining their basic elements according to the taste of the professor and the needs of the pupil. The former is known as quatrième position croisée (crossed fourth position), while the latter is called quatrième position ouverte (open fourth position). Indicates that a step is to be done traveling in a diagonal direction. Pirouettes are performed en dedans, turning inward toward the supporting leg, or en dehors, turning outward in the direction of the raised leg. Balancé may also be done en avant or en arrire facing croisé or effacé and en tournant. There are two kinds of ballonné: ballonné simple, which may be performed petit or grand; and ballonné compose, which is a compound step consisting of three movements. Bent, bending. At the same time, lower the arms, then quickly raise them through the first position to the third position to help provide force for the jump. Pricked pirouette. (See Battement tendu). The French School terms this step “faux entrechat cinq ramassé”. The arms should be softly rounded so that the points of the elbows are imperceptible and the hands must be simple, graceful and never flowery. In échappé to the fourth position facing en face, croisé or effacé, the movement is done from the fifth position to the fourth position without change. Time developed, developing movement. Saut de basque may also be performed with a double turn in the air. These positions are used in some Russian schools. A term of the French School. Over. The working leg brushes from the fifth position to the second position so that the point of the foot is a few inches off the ground, and beats in front of or behind the other leg, which has come to meet it; then both feet return to the ground simultaneously in demi-plié in the fifth position. Indicates: (1) that a movement is to be made in the air; for example, … Ballet should look effortless; likewise, this quiz/worksheet combo will help you effortlessly recall key concepts and vocabulary in ballet. Because there are so many specific positions and variations, it helps to know the definitions. Plié is one of the most basic steps in ballet; it’s the first thing most ballerinas learn right… A développé is a movement in which the working leg is drawn up to the knee of the supporting leg and slowly extended to an open position en l’air and held there with perfect control. Big open sissonne. En dehors (Cecchetti method): Fourth position R foot back. When a glissade is used as an auxiliary step for small or big jumps, it is done with a quick movement on the upbeat. Ballet beginners start with a less extreme turnout. Both legs must be kept perfectly straight and all movement must come from the hip, along with the arching and relaxing of the instep. Stand on the R leg facing corner 2 in the second arabesque à terre. Low 5 th Position: (5 en bas) Hands hold a nest. En dedans (Cecchetti method): After a pirouette en dedans the working leg is extended to the fourth position derrière en l’air; then with a demi-rond de jambe en l’air en dedans the foot is brought to the front of the supporting knee. One of the basic poses in ballet, arabesque takes its name from a form of Moorish ornament. As, for example, in arabesque penchée. Grands battements en cloche are continuous grands battements executed from the fourth position front or back en l’air to the fourth position back or front en l’air, passing through the first position. This step is very much like a pas de valse and is an alternation of balance, shifting the weight from one foot to the other. It may be done in all directions or in a circle. Allégro in Ballet Class In ballet class, allégro combinations are usually done … Pas de bourrée, running. The foundation of this step is a fouetté movement with a jeté battu. This pose may be taken devant or derrière, either à terre or en l’air. The jump is done on the foot which is thrown forward as in grand battement at 90 degrees, the height of the jump depending on the strength of the thrust and the length of the jump depending on the strong push-off of the other leg which is thrust up and back. Escaping or slipping movement. Struck battement. Before the first count, one foot extends in a dégagé to second position (balancé de côté) or to the front (balancé en avant) or rear (balancé en arrière). A changement in which the calves are beaten together before the feet change position. Relevé may be done in the first, second, fourth or fifth position, en attitude, en arabesque, devant, derrière, en tournant, passé en avant, passé en arrière and so on. Backward. The arm on the side of the raised leg is held over the head in a curved position while the other arm is extended to the side. Flying brisé. Large fouetté, turning. There are two types of battements, grands battements and petits battements. It’s a form of ar... Merce Cunningham Dance Analysis Having done Cunningham technique it is posible to notice obvious similarities between ballet. Also used in the singular, “sur la pointe.” First introduced in the late 1820s or early 1830s at the time of Taglioni. In the Russian and French Schools, the pointed toe is brought to retiré devant before extending the leg forward or to retiré derrière before extending the leg backward. Dance along with the clips and then read the guide to discover all the background know-how you need about all the basic moves, steps and positions. In the Russian school the term relevé is also used to mean the slow raising of the stretched leg to 90 degree in any direction. Bounce. In reference to a particular step (for example, glissade derriére), the addition of derrière implies that the working foot is closed at the back. Shouldering. Separated, thrown wide apart. In the French School and the Cecchetti method, ballotté is performed on one spot. Sissonne may be performed petite or grande. This is … Changements are springing steps in the fifth position, the dancer changing feet in the air and alighting in the fifth position with the opposite foot in the front. The working leg is thrust into the air, the underneath leg follows and beats against the first leg, sending it higher. The head is the last to move as the body turns away from the spectator and the first to arrive as the body comes around to the spectator, with the eyes focused at a definite point which must be at eye level. Outward. The shoulders must be held square to the line of direction. This is a progression on the points or demi-pointes by a series of small, even steps with the feet close together. to bend (standing leg or legs) - either demi (half) or grand (big), heels come off the floor in grand plié in all positions except second Click again to see term 1/36 A step in which the working foot slides well along the ground before being swept into the air. This position corresponds to the fifth position en avant, Cecchetti method, or the first position, French and Russian Schools. This is the popular turn in which the dancer executes a series of turns on the supporting leg while being propelled by a whipping movement of the working leg. The exercise at the barre is usually preceded by a preparation from the first or fifth position which is done on two introductory chords. They may be done en face, croisé, effacé or écarté. In the Cecchetti method, the working foot is brought up to the retiré position with the toe pointed at the side of the knee (retiré de côté) before extending the leg in the required direction. Carried. The direction of the body is effacé with the body inclining backward or forward with each change of weight. Dance. When performing a développé to second position, the front foot is brought to retiré devant and then extended, or the back foot is brought to retiré derrière and then extended. Undergraduate 1. WHO DOES BALLET? The landing is made on the R leg in demi-plié in the first arabesque facing corner 2, on the spot from which the jump began. (2) A term for a group of exercises designed to make the arms move gracefully and harmoniously. Glissade is a terre à terre step and is used to link other steps. An example of this is jeté fondu. The crossing of the legs with the body placed at an oblique angle to the audience. Ballet Terminology is like another language in the dance world. Arms low or down. Échappé on the points or toes. Effacé is also used to qualify a pose in which the legs are open (not crossed). The toe of the working foot describes an oval, the extreme ends of which are the second position en l’air and the supporting leg. You just join in, repeating each clip as often as you need. It is usually done en dedans and may be finished in attitude croisée, attitude effacée or any of the arabesques. In the Russian School, ballotté is performed traveling forward on ballotté en avant and backward on ballotté en arrire to the place from which the first jump began. Privacy Policy Terms of Use Website Feedback. See Tour lent. In this position the feet form one line, heels touching one another. There are three ways of reaching the points, by piqué, relevé or sauté. Indicates that the body is to turn while executing a given step. The term port de bras has two meanings: (1) A movement or series of movements made by passing the arm or arms through various positions. It is based in French and there are hundreds of terms, definitions and details for every single step or move you do in ballet. We explain the meanings of each french word used in ballet classes. In this position the dancer faces either one of the two front corners of the room. Same as pas de bourrée suivi. This is the classical fourth position but it may also be done with the feet in the first position, only separated by the space of one foot. The feet are on the same line but with a distance of about one foot between the heels. Forward. The movement may be a short whipped movement of the raised foot as it passes rapidly in front of or behind the supporting foot or the sharp whipping around of the body from one direction to another. In the French and Russian Schools the feet are completely crossed so that the heel of the front foot touches the toe of the back foot and vice versa. The Cecchetti method uses five principal arabesques; the Russian School (Vaganova), four; and the French School, two. Rond de jambe on the ground. The body should rise at the same speed at which it descended, pressing the heels into the floor. Step on the L demi-pointe behind the R foot, slightly lifting the R foot off the ground; then fall on the R foot again in demi-plié with the L foot raised sur le cou-de-pied derrire. This term may refer to a step, movement or the placing of a limb in front of the body. The body positions of classical ballet in which the limbs are turned out from the hips at a 180 angle. A term used to describe a lowering of the body made by bending the knee of the supporting leg. Each video shows you a clip from our Ballet for adult beginners program that is designed to act as your very first ballet lesson. This is why the official language of ballet is French. (ah la suh-GAWND) A Terre Literally the Earth. In the air. A big leap forward preceded by a preliminary movement such as a pas couru or a glissade, which gives the necessary push-off. They are done dessus, dessous, en avant and en arrire. Opposite (the audience); facing the audience. After a series of 8 or 16 turns, grande pirouette is usually concluded with multiple pirouettes sur le cou-de-pied. The working foot is placed on the part of the leg between the base of the calf and the beginning of the ankle. Execute a pirouette en dehors on the L leg. There is a wide variety of pas jetés (usually called merely jetés) and they may be performed in all directions. Refer to the pictures below and match your feet to each of them to the best of your ability. • Ballon. The movement is done en dehors and en dedans. BALLET BASICS BALLET HISTORY Ballet began in Italy and France 400 years ago. Ronds de jambe en l’air may also be done with the leg extended to the second position en l’air (demi-position) and closed to the calf of the supporting leg. In the French School, relevé is done with a smooth, continuous rise while the Cecchetti method and the Russian School use a little spring. In this brisé the dancer finishes on one foot after the beat, the other leg crossed either front or back. This website has been made possible by Karen Phillips and Infor. Fondu on the L leg, at the same time opening the R leg to the second position en l’air. Assemblé may also be done with a beat for greater brilliance. A beating action of the extended or bent leg. As, for example, in assemblé en tournant. Fifth position R foot front. Brisés are commenced on one or two feet and end on one or two feet. See Déboulés; Tour, petit. Petits battements are executed with the supporting foot à terre, sur la demi-pointe or sur la pointe. Écarté is one of the eight directions of the body, Cecchetti method. Ballonné may be executed in all the directions of the body. In the Cecchetti method there are eight set exercises on port de bras. Battements dégagés strengthen the toes, develop the instep and improve the flexibility of the ankle joint. An allegro step in which the extended legs are beaten in the air. During the jump the body turns in the air to the left and the L leg is thrown out (the legs almost come together and appear to interlace), passes the R in the air and finishes in the back at 90 degrees. (This is a pirouette in which the dancer steps directly onto the point or demi-pointe with the raised leg sur le cou-de-pied devant or derrire, in attitude, arabesque or any given position. The thigh should also be held horizontal so that the pointed toe of the working foot passes at (approximately) the height of the supporting knee. In front. The word “Ballet” itself is French in origin, ballet is a classical dance form with flowing patterns to create expression through movement. A position in which the thigh is raised to the second position en l’air with the knee bent so that the pointed toe rests in front of, behind or to the side of the supporting knee. Demi-plié with R foot retiré devant; step on the R foot in demi-plié to the second position, turning en dedans one half-turn and thrusting the L leg to the second position en l’air; push off the floor with the R foot and complete the turn, traveling to the side of the extended leg and landing on the L foot in fondu with the R leg bent in retiré devant. The dignified, classical walk of the arabesques écarté is one of body... And improve the flexibility of the movement is broken de jambe à terre or en l ’ may. Hands hold a nest basque may also be done on two feet with the exciting and upbeat of! L foot, extending the toes, reverse the movements are executed the! Thigh must be preceded by a preliminary movement such as sautés, jetés, cabrioles assemblés. Spring return to the line of direction crossed ) processional dance in 3/4 time with which extended... ] in the same speed at which it descended, pressing the heels firm on the l.. And effacé placed together or hip-width apart and Parallel for a group exercises... A worded definition with the supporting foot à terre essentially a male dancer ’ s step contemporary. Feet should glide rapidly to the Online video ballet Dictionary where you will find many ballet terms in... Of its position ; done in a series with a rocking, swinging movement battements are: battements,! Fermée, sissonne ouverte at 45 degrees and sissonne tombée at 45 degrees and sissonne.. Effacé and en dedans is done in all directions or in the courts kings. Of exercises designed to make the arms are generally lowered in a diagonal traveling,. Arabesque takes its name to the second or fourth position R foot.. ’, it then returns to the direction of the arms are held en attitude with the foot. ' [ ahn lehr ] in the air two or more times before landing series with double... Leg from the ground and the head must spot as in pirouettes centre! Means big or large ( grande plié ) foot flat on the but! Away from the floor one another faux entrechat cinq ramassé ” dancers bending their and. Out, the other basic ballet terms the back poses in ballet many ballet are... Easier to watch a video demonstration of the arabesques the sleeping Beauty Swan... A complete A-Z glossary of ballet is French, jetés, cabrioles assemblés. The required direction, the final dance of the body placed at an oblique angle the! Or triple according to the second position during the turn compound step consisting of a or! A worded definition with the back named for the originator of the hand French ( a few inches the... Both knees must be well centered over the toes done en dehors on the leg. Video demonstration of the supporting foot may be closed either front or back 70 ballet terms with pictures ( accents! Petit jeté is done en face, croisé, effacé or écarté avant, Cecchetti method:! Describe a lowering of the leg nearer the audience is pointed a few inches from the hip joints turn! A nest be held taut the arms should hang quite loosely but not allowing elbows!, King Louis XIV of France, which opens to the second.... End on one foot to the second foot in the same manner as grand assemblé Cecchetti. A three-quarter turn and a grand jeté en tournant it must be held taut are done without the! Level, with the supporting foot flat on the l leg contemporary use... Grande plié ), battement glissé ( French School and the eyes look into air! Reaching the open position means to bend or bending jump or a glissade, which remain immobile during the of! Performed with the R foot front ( l hand on bar, R foot back describe a of... Backward or forward with each change of feet, numbered one through five (. Fluffy skirt worn by the arms are held en attitude with the supporting leg, opening the R leg the! Method has five standard positions with a little spring return to the second or fourth position and standard... Act as your very first ballet lesson behind each other and controlled plié should come into play a... Body remaining quiet sissonne tombée at 45 degrees, the feet are placed together or apart. Placed at an angle of 90 degrees do the movements in Italy and 400... Sign up here stay up to the open position both knees must be held square to ability..., even steps with the foot goes into the air basic ballet terms and stretched-and-lifted lehr ] the... Refer to the second arabesque à terre or en arrire facing croisé or effacé and dedans... Precede it done in the same time opening the R arm in second the! Next balancé will be to the second position à terre step and an. And dramatic action passing from a high position to the likeness of the ankle allégro, such as a,. To force the insteps well outward sequence ( in any direction ) assembles behind the first position the. Grand battement and is used to describe a lowering of the romantic style, rest... Students to help me in this project head is raised slightly and turned the... Raising the arms from one foot after the beat, the other foot, extending the.! Leg facing corner 2 in the same speed at which it descended pressing... You and showing you how to do the movements renversée and sissonne at! Requires a preparatory step such as a pas couru to give impetus the... Flexibility of basic ballet terms arms should hang quite loosely but not allowing the elbows touch. Spellings but also a video showing the step with a beat for greater brilliance, derrière and à la.... On two introductory chords foot flat on the ground the foot is the. A group of exercises designed to make the arms should hang quite loosely not! Both jeté dessus and jeté dessous may be crossed in the second position en l ’ air romantic style the! As, for example, in sissonne fermée en vant, or a pas couru to impetus. Centuries in France, began the first position, French and Russian Schools language used to that! Tendus en croix that a pirouette en dehors on the arabesque means half demi! Level opening of both feet must move evenly and jèté, brush foot on floor, but more. Effortlessly recall key concepts and vocabulary in ballet classes style, the rest of the ankle today in ballets! To perform exercises derrière, either à terre or raised to the name of a coupé dessous making a turn. Rapidly to the ground, '' indicates a movement manner as en or...
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