Battement stretched. See Battement relevé lent. This product contains 99 flashcards of basic ballet terminology and their definitions. 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. The placing of the shoulders. Fondu on the L leg, at the same time opening the R leg to the second position en l’air. Also used in the singular, “sur la pointe.” First introduced in the late 1820s or early 1830s at the time of Taglioni. The turn may be single, double or triple according to the ability of the dancer. As, for example, in piqué en arabesque, piqué développé and so on. (French pronunciation: ​[balɑ̃se]; "balanced") A rocking sequence of three steps—fondu, relevé, fondu (down, up, down)—executed in three counts. In the shape of a cross. The arms are held en attitude with the raised arm being on the same side as the extended leg. It is performed en avant, en arrière, de côté, en tournant and is done with a développé or a grand battement at 90 degrees. which has little épaulement. Grands battements can be taken devant, derrière and à la seconde. Fondu on the L leg, opening the R leg to the second position en l’air. In the Cecchetti method there are eight set exercises on port de bras. In this position the dancer faces either one of the two front corners of the room. WHO DOES BALLET? 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 next balancé will be to the left side. A complete A-Z glossary of ballet language used to define steps in class. A term applied to a whipping movement. Demi pliés are performed with the heels on the ground and the knees going directly over the toes. 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. Demi-plié in preparation for a small spring into the air, opening both legs slightly. Big assemblé, turning. As, for example, in pas de bourrée couru. The extended leg is raised behind the body but bent at the knee at an angle of 90 degrees. Inward. Disengaged battement. An exercise in which the working leg is raised from the hip into the air and brought down again, the accent being on the downward movement, both knees straight. If the échappé is done in the second position the R foot may be closed either front or back. Title. Fifth position (Cinquième position): The “Sun King”, King Louis XIV of France, began the first school of dance. A changement in which the calves are beaten together before the feet change position. 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. 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. As, for example, in assemblé en tournant. A term of the French School. 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). The second foot in the sequence (in any direction) assembles behind the first to relevé in fifth or fourth position. The force for the first turn is taken by the R arm, which opens to the second position. This is an exercise to render the joints and muscles soft and pliable and the tendons flexible and elastic, and to develop a sense of balance. Pirouettes are performed en dedans, turning inward toward the supporting leg, or en dehors, turning outward in the direction of the raised leg. Indicates that the working foot passes behind the supporting foot. The Cecchetti method has five standard positions with a derivative of the fourth position and two derivatives of the fifth position. After a pirouette en dedans the extension is made to the second position en l’air; next the foot is brought in front of, then in back of, the supporting. The thigh must be kept motionless and the hips well turned out, the whole movement being made by the leg below the knee. There is a wide variety of pas jetés (usually called merely jetés) and they may be performed in all directions. A beating action of the extended or bent leg. 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. Assemblé may also be done with a beat for greater brilliance. 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. A step of beating in which the dancer jumps into the air and rapidly crosses the legs before and behind each other. In passing from a high position to a low one, the arms are generally lowered in a line with the sides. Flying brisé. A term of the French School and the Cecchetti method. Fundamentally a brisé is an assemblé beaten and traveled. Beating. In this position the feet form one line, heels touching one another. Saut de basque may also be performed with a double turn in the air. See Battement en cloche, grand. Glissades are done with or without change of feet, and all begin and end with a demi-plié. A term of the French School used to indicate that the dancer turns slowly in place on one foot by a series of slight movements of the heel to the required side while maintaining a definite pose such as an arabesque or attitude. A traveling step executed by gliding the working foot from the fifth position in the required direction, the other foot closing to it. 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. Beginner Ballet Terms. This position corresponds to the fifth position en bas, Cecchetti method. (ah la suh-GAWND) A Terre Literally the Earth. Fifth position R foot front (L hand on bar, R arm in second position). Rond de jambe on the ground. It is a series of turns on one foot with the free leg raised to the second position en l’air at 90 degrees. Demi-plié and push off the floor into the air, turning en dehors (to the right). 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. The French School terms this step “faux entrechat cinq ramassé”. There are five basic positions of the feet in classical ballet, and every step or movement is begun and ended in one or another of these positions, which were established by Pierre Beauchamp, maître de ballet of the Académie Royale de Musique et de Danse from 1671 to 1687. The movement is done en dehors and en dedans. Fifth position R foot front. En dehors (Russian School): Fourth position R foot back. They may be done en face, croisé, effacé or écarté. It is the basis of the allegro step, the jeté. 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 There are two kinds of ronds de jambe à terre: those done en dedans (inward) and those done en dehors (outward). Indicates: (1) that a movement is to be made in the air; for example, … A complete turn of the body on one foot, on point or demi-pointe. 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. As, for example, échappé sauté. Tossed. Battements tendus may also be done with a demi-plié in the first or fifth position. It is the finalé of a ballet where the principal dancers perform impressive jumps and turns. Refers to grands battements executed continuously devant and derrire through the first position. A small beating step in which the movement is broken. In ballet, there are five basic positions of the feet, numbered one through five. Basic Ballet Terminology and Meanings • Plié. If an assemblé is porté it requires a preparatory step such as a glissade to precede it. The supporting foot springs from the floor and the landing is made in fondu on the working leg with the other foot extended in the air or sur le cou-de-pied. Also, the final dance of the pas de deux, pas de trois or pas de quatre. 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. The passage of the arms from one position to another constitutes a port de bras. A big leap forward preceded by a preliminary movement such as a pas couru or a glissade, which gives the necessary push-off. The whipping leg should be at hip level, with the foot closing in to the knee of the supporting leg. Écarté is one of the eight directions of the body, Cecchetti method. 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. Bent, bending. The head turns and the eyes “spot”, providing additional force for the turns. Under. On the cou-de-pied. They are done dessus, dessous, en avant and en arrire. The petits battements are: Battements tendus, dégagés, frappés and tendus relevés: stretched, disengaged, struck and stretched-and-lifted . The landing is then made on the underneath leg. 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. Executed by stepping directly on the point or demi-pointe of the working foot in any desired direction or position with the other foot raised in the air. When the foot reaches the position pointe tendue, it then returns to the first or fifth position. Six crossings. The art of using the face and body to express emotion and dramatic action. 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. Turning. A step of low elevation performed to a quick tempo. See Jeté en tournant en avant, grand (Cecchetti method). 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. A particular pose in dancing derived by Carlo Blasis from the statue of Mercury by Giovanni da Bologna. They are done with the supporting foot flat on the ground, on the demi-pointe, full point or en fondu. 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. The battement dégagé is similar to the battement tendu but is done at twice the speed and the working foot rises about four inches from the floor with a well-pointed toe, then slides back into the first or fifth position. 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. Allégro in Ballet Class In ballet class, allégro combinations are usually done … Third position (Troisième position): All demi-pliés are done without lifting the heels from the ground. Effacé is also used to qualify a pose in which the legs are open (not crossed). Indicates that the body is to turn while executing a given step. Privacy Policy Terms of Use Website Feedback. Like a bell. Through common usage the term has become abridged to développé. Big open sissonne. Petits battements are executed with the supporting foot à terre, sur la demi-pointe or sur la pointe. Ballonné may be executed in all the directions of the body. See Déboulés; Tour, petit. Escaping or slipping movement. The word “Ballet” itself is French in origin, ballet is a classical dance form with flowing patterns to create expression through movement. This assemblé is done in the same manner as grand assemblé. When a glissade is used as an auxiliary step for small or big jumps, it is done with a quick movement on the upbeat. A pas jeté (pah zhuh-TAY) is such a familiar ballet term that it's usually called by its shorter name, jeté. The force of momentum is furnished by the arms, which remain immobile during the turn. • … 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. 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. Withdrawn. Ballet originated in Italy and was formalized over centuries in France, which is why most ballet terms are in French or Italian. Glide. Ball-like or bouncing step. 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. 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. Total Cards. Jeté beaten. Separated, thrown wide apart. Turn in a walk. 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. Large fouetté, turning. With a strong jump open the legs, beat the R leg behind the L, open the legs, beat the R leg in front of the L, open the legs and finish in demi-plié in the fifth position, R foot back. An example of this is jeté fondu. Tutu: The fluffy skirt worn by the female dancer. (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 step owes its name to the likeness of the movement to a cat’s leap. After a demi-plié in the fifth position the working foot glides along the floor to a strong point a few inches from 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. Below are the seven movements that provide the basis of ballet … Ballet should look effortless; likewise, this quiz/worksheet combo will help you effortlessly recall key concepts and vocabulary in ballet. Now, people of all ages and Small jeté. All steps of elevation begin and end with a demi-plié. 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. Pricked, pricking. The former is known as quatrième position croisée (crossed fourth position), while the latter is called quatrième position ouverte (open fourth position). Open, opened. As, for example, in glissade en arriére. Usually, the feet are placed together or hip-width apart and parallel for a barre position. The body positions of classical ballet in which the limbs are turned out from the hips at a 180 angle. Leaning, inclining. It is taken only dessus or derrire. This website has been made possible by Karen Phillips and Infor. The crossing of the legs with the body placed at an oblique angle to the audience. We explain the meanings of each french word used in ballet classes. It is a jump from both feet onto one foot with the exception of sissonne fermée, sissonne tombée and sissonne fondue, which finish on two feet. Large jeté. Fifth position R foot front. The leg nearer the audience is pointed in the second position à terre or raised to the second position en l’air. This fouetté may be done on demi-pointe, on point or with a jump. Small battement on the ankle. 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. 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. • Ballon. This jeté is done in all directions and in a circle. 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. Sinking down. Even-numbered entrechats are done en face or en tournant, while odd-numbered entrechats are done devant, derrière, en tournant, the côté or de volée. The supporting foot may be à terre, sur la pointe or sur la demi-pointe. Shouldering. The step is usually done in a series either en manège or en diagonale. In rising from the ground the foot moves in the reverse order. Execute a pirouette en dehors on the L leg. In raising the arms from one position to another the arms must pass through a position known in dancing as the gateway. A term of the Russian School. Refer to the pictures below and match your feet to each of them to the best of your ability. Details. Circular. Glissade may also be done sur les pointes. In a diagonal. Please try a different letter. Today quatrième position croisée is done with the feet placed as in the fifth position, parallel and separated by the length of one foot, instead of the third position. 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. In the French School this is called “grand jeté dessus en tournant”; in the Cecchetti method, “grand jeté en tournant en arrière”. 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. Pliés are done at the bar and in the centre in all five positions of the feet. Attitude (ah tea tude) - A variation on the arabesque. 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. Created. Same as piqué tour en dedans. 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. Contretemps (con-treh-tump) Counter beating. Thumbs are the Baby birds in the nest, they are sleeping. Positions of the arms. Marching step. In the grand plié in the second position or the fourth position ouverte (feet in the first position but separated by the space of one foot) the heels do not rise off the ground. Opposite (the audience); facing the audience. 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. Jumped, jumping. The feet are on the same line but with a distance of about one foot between the heels. Arms low or down. In the French School and the Cecchetti method, ballotté is performed on one spot. In reference to a particular step (for example, glissade derriére), the addition of derrière implies that the working foot is closed at the back. In ballet, allégro is a term applied to bright, fast or brisk steps and movement. A step in which one foot literally chases the other foot out of its position; done in a series. The disengaged leg may be crossed in the front or in the back. In ballets of the romantic style, the tutu falls to below the calf. As, for example, in assemblé dessus. It may be performed en avant, en arrire and de côté in all directions, such as croisé, effacé, écarté, etc. As, for example, in assemblé dessous. This direction is termed “ouvert” in the French method. It is usually done en dedans and may be finished in attitude croisée, attitude effacée or any of the arabesques. This pirouette is usually performed by male dancers. This is an exercise to turn the legs out from the hips, to loosen the hips and to keep the toe well back and heel forward. It is important to start the jump with a springy plié and finish it with a soft and controlled plié. Variety of pas jetés ( usually called merely jetés ) and they may crossed... In attitude croisée, attitude effacée or any of the most common terms in ballet, arabesque piqué! 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Been introduced into a number of ballets as a glissade, pas de quatre “ ouvert ” the!, fast or brisk steps and movement of its position ; done in the centre all! Flexibility of the positions that your teacher will use beating step in which the dancer tries remain!

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