basic ballet terms

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. Cabriole may be done devant, derrière and à la seconde in any given position of the body such as croisé, effacé, écarté, etc. Disengaged battement. On the “upbeat” the R foot is drawn in an arc to the fourth position back (the head turns forward) and the dancer begins a series of ronds de jambe à terre en dehors. See Battement en cloche, grand. Through common usage the term has become abridged to développé. A Polish folk dance in 3/4 time which has been introduced into a number of ballets as a character dance. Created. The body and head should come into play and a suggestion of épaulement should be used. In the Cecchetti assemblé both knees are bent and drawn up after the battement so that the flat of the toes of both feet meet while the body is in the air. 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. There is a wide variety of pas jetés (usually called merely jetés) and they may be performed in all directions. Sign up here stay up to date with ABT news and offers! Large fouetté, turning. Time developed, developing movement. The turn may be single, double or triple according to the ability of the dancer. Closed sissonne. 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. Battement fondu developed. 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. In ballet, there are five basic positions of the feet, numbered one through five. 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. 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 step in which the working foot slides well along the ground before being swept into the air. See Tour lent. On the points. Plié is one of the most basic steps in ballet; it’s the first thing most ballerinas learn right… It may be seen today in such ballets as The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. Plié means to bend or bending. This involves a high degree of flexibility and should be used to do nearly all ballet … Pas de bourrée, running. Cat’s-step. As the supporting leg straightens, the working leg does développé at either 45 or 90 degrees. It is based in French and there are hundreds of terms, definitions and details for every single step or move you do in ballet. Demi means half (demi plié), and grande means big or large (grande plié). The toe of the working foot does not rise off the ground and does not pass beyond the fourth position front (fourth position ouvert) or the fourth position back. Pliés are done at the bar and in the centre in all five positions of the feet. Pirouettes are performed en dedans, turning inward toward the supporting leg, or en dehors, turning outward in the direction of the raised leg. As the foot goes into the air the dancer pushes off the floor with the supporting leg, extending the toes. The hips are kept level and square to the direction in which the dancer is facing. As, for example, in assemblé dessous. 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. Contretemps (con-treh-tump) Counter beating. They may be executed en dehors or en dedans. Ballet should look effortless; likewise, this quiz/worksheet combo will help you effortlessly recall key concepts and vocabulary in ballet. The former is known as quatrième position croisée (crossed fourth position), while the latter is called quatrième position ouverte (open fourth position). In all pliés the legs must be well turned out from the hips, the knees open and well over the toes, and the weight of the body evenly distributed on both feet, with the whole foot grasping the floor. BALLET TERMS DEFINITION A la seconde One of eight directions of the body, in which the foot is placed in second position and the arms are outstretched to second position. The step is usually done in a series either en manège or en diagonale. 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. This fouetté may be done on demi-pointe, on point or with a jump. Stretched. The feet are on the same line but with a distance of about one foot between the heels. Whirl or spin. Ballet beginners start with a less extreme turnout. There are two kinds of ronds de jambe à terre: those done en dedans (inward) and those done en dehors (outward). Thumbs are the Baby birds in the nest, they are sleeping. It’s a form of ar... Merce Cunningham Dance Analysis Having done Cunningham technique it is posible to notice obvious similarities between ballet. This is the dignified, classical walk of the ballerina and the premier danseur. The “Sun King”, King Louis XIV of France, began the first school of dance. WHO DOES BALLET? (ah la suh-GAWND) A Terre Literally the Earth. The disengaged leg may be crossed in the front or in the back. At the completion of the first turn, the supporting heel is lowered in demi-plié, then immediately pushes from the floor to demi-pointe, and the turn is repeated. The crossing of the legs with the body placed at an oblique angle to the audience. The art of using the face and body to express emotion and dramatic action. A term applied to a whipping movement. This must be done with apparent ease, the rest of the body remaining quiet. Turnout: Turnout is NOT a move but rather a basic concept essential to understanding ballet. The arms are held en attitude with the raised arm being on the same side as the extended leg. See Déboulés; Tour, petit. Glissades are done with or without change of feet, and all begin and end with a demi-plié. Chord 2: slide the R toe along the floor, describing an arc and finishing in the second position as the L knee straightens (the R arm opens to the second position and the head turns to the right). 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. Sign up here. The other foot, which is pointed a few inches from the floor, slides into the fifth position in demi-plié. Battement stretched. As, for example, in piqué en arabesque, piqué développé and so on. They may be done en face, croisé, effacé or écarté. ; À terre: "On the ground," indicates a movement. A term of the Cecchetti method. These positions are used in some Russian schools. It is important to start the jump with a springy plié and finish it with a soft and controlled plié. In this step the legs are thrown to 90 degrees with a corresponding high jump. It is done forward to attitude croisée or effacée, and to all the arabesques. If an assemblé is porté it requires a preparatory step such as a glissade to precede it. It is taken only dessus or derrire. A barre is a horizontal bar that is either fastened to walls or free standing that dancers use for additional support to perform exercises. Create your own flash cards! Marching step. Running. Carried. Each video shows you a clip from our Ballet for adult beginners program that is designed to act as your very first ballet lesson. Sinking down. 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. In the beginning, ballet was only performed by royalty in the courts of kings and queens. Big open sissonne. The turn may be performed either en dedans or en dehors. Chased. Indicates that the dancer is to stand high on the balls of the feet and under part of the toes. 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. 27. Used to indicate that a given step is executed moving forward, toward the audience. Royal. For more definitions and video examples of ballet terms, visit American Ballet Theatre’s Ballet Dictionary here. In the French School this is called “grand jeté dessus en tournant”; in the Cecchetti method, “grand jeté en tournant en arrière”. It is the basis of the allegro step, the jeté. 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. En dehors (Russian School): Fourth position R foot back. 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. There are two kinds of échappés: échappé sauté, which is done with a spring from the fifth position and finishes in a demi-plié in the open position, and échappé sur les pointes, or demi-pointes, which is done with a relevé and has straight knees when in the open position. Beginner Ballet Terms. Low 5 th Position: (5 en bas) Hands hold a nest. This step consists of coupé dessous and coupé dessus performed in a series with a rocking, swinging movement. An example of this is jeté fondu. 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. Now, people of all ages and 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. Fondu on the L leg, opening the R leg to the second position en l’air. See Battement relevé lent. One of the directions of épaulement in which the dancer stands at an oblique angle to the audience so that a part of the body is taken back and almost hidden from view. As, for example, in battements tendus en croix. 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. 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. An échappé is a level opening of both feet from a closed to an open position. Flying brisé. Pricked, pricking. Description. In passing from a high position to a low one, the arms are generally lowered in a line with the sides. For ronds de jambe à terre en dedans, reverse the movements. ABT JKO School Children’s Division Online Community Classes. 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. Allégro in Ballet Class In ballet class, allégro combinations are usually done … Ballet originated in Italy and was formalized over centuries in France, which is why most ballet terms are in French or Italian. Basic Ballet Terms. Basque jump. In raising the arms from one position to another the arms must pass through a position known in dancing as the gateway. The landing is then made on the underneath leg. The working foot slides from the first or fifth position to the second or fourth position without lifting the toe from the ground. Large jeté forward. Battements dégagés strengthen the toes, develop the instep and improve the flexibility of the ankle joint. The word “Ballet” itself is French in origin, ballet is a classical dance form with flowing patterns to create expression through movement. As, for example, in sissonne fermée en vant. Escaping or slipping movement. Assembled or joined together. Both legs come to the ground simultaneously in the fifth position. Petit jeté is done dessus, dessous, en avant, en arrière and en tournant. The leg is in contact with the floor. À la seconde: “To the second position” or “to the side,” as in plié à la seconde or grand battement à la seconde. Three-quarters of the turn should be made with the R foot in position on the supporting knee. Fourth position (Quatrième position): The French School has a preparatory position and five standard positions. The leg nearer the audience is pointed in the second position à terre or raised to the second position en l’air. Sissonne is named for the originator of the step. This use of the eyes while turning is called “spotting.” Pirouettes may be performed in any given position, such as sur le cou-de-pied, en attitude, en arabesque, à la seconde, etc. In the French School the term is used to indicate a position or direction of the body similar to effacé, that is, à la quatriéme devant ouvert or effacé devant en l’air. Over. A processional dance in 3/4 time with which the court ballets of the seventeenth century were opened. A bending of the knee or knees. Can be a great tool for teaching terms to new ballet learners of ALL ages! The grandes sissonnes are sissonne ouverte at 90 degrees, sissonne renversée and sissonne soubresaut. Ball-like or bouncing step. 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. Glissade is a terre à terre step and is used to link other steps. 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. 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. Leaning, inclining. They are done dessus, dessous, en avant and en arrire. It is performed en avant, en arrière, de côté, en tournant and is done with a développé or a grand battement at 90 degrees. They are done petit and grand. Sideways. Bounce. Fifth position R foot front. 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. Indicates that the working foot passes in front of the supporting foot. It may be done in all directions or in a circle. In steps and exercises the term en dehors indicates that the leg, in a position à terre or en l’air, moves in a circular direction, clockwise. 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. The arms remain in the second position during the series of turns, then close in the first position for the concluding pirouettes. The step may be performed with straight knees at 45 degrees or with développés at 90 degrees. A traveling step in which the dancer turns in the air with one foot drawn up to the knee of the other 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. The arms should hang quite loosely but not allowing the elbows to touch the sides. This is an abbreviation of the term “tours chaînés déboulés”: a series of rapid turns on the points or demi-pointes done in a straight line or in a circle. Entrechats are counted from two to ten according to the number of crossings required and counting each crossing as two movements, one by each leg; that is, in an entrechat quatre each leg makes two distinct movements. 70 ballet terms with pictures (no accents) : ) Learn with flashcards, games, and more — for free. In the shape of a cross. In ballets of the romantic style, the tutu falls to below the calf. Meaning ‘to bounce’, it refers to ease and lightness in jumps, describing their quality instead of height. Chains, links. 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. In the air. Double cabriole. The whipping leg should be at hip level, with the foot closing in to the knee of the supporting leg. Ballet Terminology is like another language in the dance world. Relevé on the L point or demi-pointe, sweeping the R leg to the second position en l’air, and execute a tour en dehors, bringing the R foot to side and front of L knee. 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. Execute a pirouette en dehors on the L leg. Subject. Behind, back. I have invited some amazing local students to help me in this project. One of the directions of épaulement. 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. The Cecchetti method uses five principal arabesques; the Russian School (Vaganova), four; and the French School, two. Click here to study/print these flashcards. As, for example, in arabesque penchée. 09/28/2010. It is usually preceded by a pas couru or a chassé. In this position the dancer faces either one of the two front corners of the room. The two fundamental positions of épaulement are croisé and effacé. Large jeté. This assemblé is done in the same manner as grand assemblé. Jeté interlaced. Bent, bending. Tax-Exempt ID #13-1882106. (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. Brisés are commenced on one or two feet and end on one or two feet. Because there are so many specific positions and variations, it helps to know the definitions. The feet should glide rapidly to the open position and both feet must move evenly. Demi-plié and push off the floor into the air, turning en dehors (to the right). Indicates that the working foot passes behind the supporting foot. The petits battements are: Battements tendus, dégagés, frappés and tendus relevés: stretched, disengaged, struck and stretched-and-lifted . Privacy Policy Terms of Use Website Feedback. Chord 1: demi-plié (lowering the R arm to the first position) and slide the R foot forward to the fourth position, pointe tendue (raising the R arm to the first position and inclining the head toward the bar). This term may refer to a movement, step or placing of a limb in back of the body. Opposite (the audience); facing the audience. If an assemblé is en tournant it must be preceded by a preparatory step. When the foot reaches the position pointe tendue, it then returns to the first or fifth position. Both knees must be kept straight. The French School terms this step “faux entrechat cinq ramassé”. 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. Rond de jambe on the ground. In the third position one foot is in front of the other, heels touching the middle of the other foot. Glide. Barre has become a popular term as barre classes have become a common class that is conducted for fitness class and to warmup for ballet class. A term of the French School. Effacé is also used to qualify a pose in which the legs are open (not crossed). Try out some basic ballet positions and steps here or experience ballet for yourself with classes for all ages, including adult beginning ballet classes. To start with, it can be tricky to remember for any dancer, but soon it will become a natural part to your dancing. Échappés may also be done en croix. Forward. The function of grands battements is to loosen the hip joints and turn out the legs from the hips. Large battement like a bell. Arabesque One of the basic poses in ballet. All steps where the dancer jumps are considered allégro, such as sautés, jetés, cabrioles, assemblés, and so on. The placing of the shoulders. air, en l' [ahn lehr] In the air. the leg moves evenly until reaching the angle of 45 or 90 degree and is sustained momentarily in the extended position before slowly returning to sur cou-de-pied as the suppoting leg executes a demi-plié. A term of the French School. Balancé may be done crossing the foot either front or back. Fifth position R foot front. Jeté beaten. As, for example, in assemblé dessus. Relevé on the L point or demi-pointe, executing a tour en dehors and whipping the R foot in back of, then quickly in front of, the L knee. Ballet Position Terms Arabesque (Ah rah besk) - a position on one leg with the other leg raised behind the body and extended in a straight line. Stand on the R leg facing corner 2 in the second arabesque à terre. Barre is one of the most common terms in ballet. A complete A-Z glossary of ballet language used to define steps in class. Glissade may also be done sur les pointes. 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. As, for example, in rond de jambe à terre en dedans. This is essentially a male dancer’s step although contemporary choreographers use this tour for girls. Échappé on the points or toes. Throwing step. A step of low elevation performed to a quick tempo. Translation: Knee-bend. Casting and programming subject to change. This sissonne finishes on two feet with the working foot gliding along the floor into the demi-plié in the fitth position. 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. 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 All steps of elevation begin and end with a demi-plié. It is a series of turns on one foot with the free leg raised to the second position en l’air at 90 degrees. Rocking step. 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. Understanding the basic positions is a great place to start when beginning … Broken, breaking. Sissonne may be performed petite or grande. Saut de basque may also be performed with a double turn in the air. In reference to a particular step (for example, glissade derriére), the addition of derrière implies that the working foot is closed at the back. When épaulement is used the position of the head depends upon the position of the shoulders and the shoulder position depends upon the position of the legs. 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 used in the singular, “sur la pointe.” First introduced in the late 1820s or early 1830s at the time of Taglioni. Basic Ballet Terms; Shared Flashcard Set. It is the finalé of a ballet where the principal dancers perform impressive jumps and turns. In the Cecchetti method, entrechats are done with the knees bent and the feet drawn up so that one foot beats against the other from the base of the calf downward. A term applied to steps or enchaînements executed in a circle. Not only a worded definition with the phonetic spellings but also a video showing the step! (2) A term for a group of exercises designed to make the arms move gracefully and harmoniously. Note: In all jumping movements the tips of the toes should be the first to reach the ground after the jump, then the sole of the foot followed by the heel. The thigh must be kept motionless and the hips well turned out, the whole movement being made by the leg below the knee. This position corresponds to the fifth position en bas, Cecchetti method. Coda The ballet term associated with the exciting and upbeat part of a performance or class. 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. Remember: Dancers work many years to achieve a full 90-degree turn-out!Wait…where’s Third Position? Pricked pirouette. A changement in which the calves are beaten together before the feet change position. Same as grand battement jeté balancé, but the body remains upright as the leg swings. This is why the official language of ballet is French. The step owes its name to the likeness of the movement to a cat’s leap. Jumped, jumping. As, for example, in assemblé en tournant. A term of the Russian School. See Jeté en tournant en avant, grand (Cecchetti method). Turnout is when the legs are rotated from the hips so that both the feet and knees are turned outward. After a series of 8 or 16 turns, grande pirouette is usually concluded with multiple pirouettes sur le cou-de-pied. The Académie Royale de L’Danse was formed in Paris in 1661 by Louis XIV to teach courtiers to dance and prepare ballets for the court. Interweaving or braiding. Turning. Petits battements are executed with the supporting foot à terre, sur la demi-pointe or sur la pointe. The raising of the body on the tips of the toes. Épaulement gives the finishing artistic touch to every movement and is a characteristic feature of the modern classical style compared to the old French style. There are a number of attitudes according to the position of the body in relation to the audience:for example, attitude croisée, attitude effacée, attitude de face. Turn in a walk. This is an exercise at the bar in which the working foot is held sur le cou-de-pied and the lower part of the leg moves out and in, changing the foot from sur le cou-de-pied devant to sur le cou-de-pied derrière and vice versa. Grand jeté is always preceded by a preliminary movement such as a glissade, pas couru or coupe. Fondu on the L leg, at the same time extending the R leg to quatrième position devant en l’air (croisé devant). Demi-plié in the fifth position R foot front. The exercise at the barre is usually preceded by a preparation from the first or fifth position which is done on two introductory chords. (See Battement tendu). A complete turn of the body on one foot, on point or demi-pointe. Fondu on the L foot, extending the R leg forward again. Also used in the singular, “sur la demi-pointe.”. This jeté is done in all directions and in a circle. The petites sissonnes are sissonne simple, sissonne fermée, sissonne ouverte at 45 degrees and sissonne tombée at 45 degrees. The passage of the arms from one position to another constitutes a port de bras. On the half-points. Indicates: (1) that a movement is to be made in the air; for example, rond de jambe en l’air; (2) that the working leg, after being opened to the second or fourth position à terre, is to be raised to a horizontal position with the toe on the level of the hip. Crossed. Total Cards. It may also be done backward with the leg raised either croisé or effacé devant. The torso is held perpendicular. As, for example, in pas de bourrée couru. They should be practiced en croix. En pointe (ahn PWANT or on point): Balancing on the tips of your toes (for women only). 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. It is usually preceded by a chassé or a pas couru to give impetus to the jump. Large battement. Correct body placement is essential in all kinds of pirouettes. This is the dancer’s “attention.” The arms form a circle with the palms facing each other and the back edge of the hands resting on the thighs.

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