Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology Free

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FREE DICTIONARY OF CLASSICAL BALLET TERMINOLOGY PDF

In ballet, there are several terms that are used. Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology can be easy for a beginner to feel lost with all of the terminology! These movements are typically done after warmup and closer toward the last part of class to avoid injury, and to maximize a dancers range while warmed up. Abstract ballet are ballets without a plot unlike the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, etc. Most often, contemporary ballets are considered abstract ballets. Arabesque is a position in ballet where the body is supported on a single leg, while the other leg is extended directly behind the body with a straight knee. There are several different versions of arabesque such as first, second, and third arabesque. They can also be done at different heights or with a straight leg or in plie. The basics being that the two legs join together in the air. An attitude is a position where the dancers stands on one leg with the other lifted, either in the front, or back. The leg that is in the air is usually slightly bent at the knee, creating an approximate degree angle. En avant refers to moving towards the front. En avant is not an actual step or position in ballet, but is used in conjunction with other terms, such as tendu en Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology. Adagio refers to slow movements in ballet. This means movements in adagio are performed with the greatest amount of fluidity, control, and grace. Movements in adagio during ballet class are used to help dancers increase strength, control, and flexibility. Ballet blanc is a term used to describe ballet where dancers wear white tutus also known as romantic. A Battement Fondu is a term for a movement done in fondu. During this movement, a dancers supporting leg is slowly bent in fondu with the working foot pointing on the ankle. This is commonly used in ronde hame exercises at the barre. A battement battu is a classical ballet term for a movement where your working foot is placed a sur cou-de-pied position and taping the opposite legs ankle deviant or derriere. These are typically done at barre or during a frappe exercise. It is very similar to a battement tendu but done at Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology the speed with the working foot rising about 4 inches from the floor. Batterie is used to describe all beaten steps or steps with beats as a group. Battu is a term used to describe any ballet step that is made more difficult by adding a beating of the legs in the middle of the jump. A balletomane is a term used to describe avid ballet fans and enthusiast. This term was invented in Russia around Ballon is term in ballet used to define a dancer showing lightness and ease in jumps. This is used to describe the quality of the jump and not the height. A dancer with great ballon appears to pause at the height of the jump before making their descent into a landing. Then, the knee is bent and the foot brought to a sur le-cou-de-pied position. Barre is one of the most common terms in ballet. A barre is a horizontal bar that is either fastened to walls or free standing that dancers use for additional support to perform exercises. 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 cabriole can also be done as a double cabriole where the beating happens twice in the air before landing. A double cabriole is usually done by men in classical ballet. While bending, the dancers head follows the movement of the upper body and arms. Cechetti is a term in ballet used to describe the teachings of the classical ballet method of Enrico Cecchetti. These series of Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology are performed on both feet with the ballet dancer picking up each foot back and forth in order to keep the movements going. However, with a changement, a dancer performs a jump from fifth position with the feet, jumping and changing the foot position in the air so they land with the opposite foot in front. En Cloche is a common ballet term that describes when a dancers goes back and forth between battement, passing through first position. A Coda is a ballet term that refers to the finale. Corps de ballet is a classical ballet term that refers to a group of dancers that perform together. This is not a commonly used term. Sur le cou-de-pied is a ballet term that refers to the position Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology the foot. This is not a step. The position of sur le cou-de-pied is when the working foot is placed on the other leg between the base of the calf and the top of the ankle. It is done when a dancer turns in the air in a coupe position. En Croix is a term commonly used in ballet to let dancers know a step should be done to the front, side, and then back. For example, demi-plie or demi arabesque. Dessus is the opposite of Dessous. Devant is a classic ballet term that is used to define steps or movements that are in the from of Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology body. This is most commonly used to define how a dancer stands when on stage. Beginning in Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology closed position usually fifth position with the feeta ballet dancer will slide both feet out into Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology or fourth position. A good extension is critical for women in ballet, and is the result of lots of hard work and training. Entrechat is a term in ballet that describes when a dancer jumps into the air and beats their legs by changing the position of their legs and feet. Your heel will be placed slightly above the ankle bone of the standing leg. Then, a pile on a single standing leg while the retire leg extends to cruise and rond de jambes. Fondu is a ballet term that describes the movement of a Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology doing a plie on a single leg, and slowly sinking down or melting Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology like fondu cheese! A finger turn is a step in ballet where a ballerina turns while partnered with a male dancer, while being connected during their turn by their hands or fingers. A Failli is a preparatory step used by ballet dancers before a jump. En Face means the ballet dancer is facing the audience. Grande is a term in ballet that means large and is usually used to describe a step, and not used alone. For example, grande allegro or grande jete. A glissade is a Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology jump in ballet that is used to link other steps together. A Gargouillade is performed by ballet dancers by degagering Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology a single leg to the side, then performing a rond de jambe with that same leg, while pushing from the floor with the other leg, and doing a rond de jambe with that leg. En Haut is a term in ballet that refers to a position being done in a high position. Pas is a term used in ballet to describe a step. Pas de action is a term used to describe a story that is being told though Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology. This describes almost every ballet. A pas de basque originated from the national dances of the basque. It involves a dancer starting from a plie on the left leg, and then extending their right leg into a tendu front croise, and then sliding their right foot in a half ron de jambe to carte back while staying in plie. Finally, the ballet dancer will transfer weight from their left leg to the right so the left is in tendu carte before finishing in the fifth position. A pas de chat is a step in ballet that starts in fifth position. Following this, the ballet dancer will then place their right foot on the floor first, followed by the left in front to fifth position. A Pas de Cheval is a step in ballet where a dancer starts in fifth position. From fifth, the ballet dancer will lift the front leg into you-de-pied, and then extend into a tendu. Pas de deux refers to a dance when two dancers are paired together. Usually, every classical ballet will feature at least one pas de deux. Pas de trois is a partnering in ballet of at least one male and either two female ballet dancers, or another male and female. A pas de valse is done individually by female dancers, or sometimes with a partner. During a pas de valse, a dancer will extend and step one leg as the other brushes front while decorating the step with a classical port de bras. A pirouette is popular term in ballet that describes the turning around of a ballerina on a Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology leg with the other leg off the ground and in a position. The other leg will be Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology a position such as arabesque, etc. Renverse is when a ballet dancer bends their body from the waist, both sideways as well as backwards, with their head following the movement of the body. Retire is also known Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology passe, and is the position where a ballet dancer raised their thigh with the knee bent, while the pointed foot is placed either in the front, back or to the side of the supporting knee. Ronde de bras is used to define a ballet dancers roundness of their arms in first, or fifth positions. Rond de Jambe is a common step in ballet and Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology a circular movement of the leg. There are several variations of rond de jambe including:. A Royale is a classical term in ballet for a dancers jump when they beat their legs once before changing position of their feet and landing. It is commonly used while closing in fifth position. Spotting in ballet refers to when a ballet dancer turns their head while doing turns to keep from getting dizzy and to maintain balance while doing several turns. Soutenu is a term in ballet that refers to a dancer turning in a sub-sous or fifth position en pointe, and ultimately ending up with the opposite foot in front. Sus-sous is a term in ballet that refers to when a dancer springs one releve en pointe, and quickly placing the back foot closest behind the front in fifth position with fully stretched legs. Soubresaut is a term in ballet that describes a quick jump from two feet and with the dancer landing on two feet in fifth position. Sissonne is a ballet term that describes a dancer jumping from two feet and splitting there legs like scissors in mid-air prior to landing. This is commonly caused by either poor form, or pointe shoes that are not the right fit. Saut de basque refers to a traveling jump by a ballet dancer where they turn in the air with a single leg in a retire position. Saut de chat refers to a particular jump in ballet which varies based on the school of ballet such as French or Italian, etc. Glossary of ballet - Wikipedia

Tick here to confirm that you wish to receive emails from City Academy. Ever been in a ballet class and felt like they might as well be speaking a different language? All ballet movements are spoken in french which can make picking up the steps even more tricky. Our Head of Dance and former Royal Ballet dancer, Clara Stone, has put together a ballet glossary so you will never be lost in class again! In the shape of a cross front, side, back or back, side, front. A movement from 5th incorporating a rond de jambe a terre and closing to 5th. Step of the cat a jump from 5th to 5th with an overlapping action Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology each leg bending Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology unfurling, one after the other. To rise with a small rising action starting with a plie bent knees. Round of the leg circle the leg like a protractor on the floor from 0 degrees to either 90 or To sustain a turning action revolving the feet, either traveling or on the spot. To stretch an extending action of the leg, a terre with a return closing action. Join our mailing list today to receive exclusive offers and all the latest performing arts news and features as well as information about creative courses starting soon across London. At City Academy we run Ballet Classes for adults, whether you're new to ballet or have previous dance experience. We hope you found our glossary useful, you are now ready for the world of ballet! Join our mailing list today to receive Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology offers and all the latest performing arts news and features, as well as information about creative courses starting soon across London. Sign in. Read our privacy policy. Sign up for our Exclusive Offers Join our mailing list today to receive exclusive offers and all the latest performing arts news and features as well as information about creative courses starting soon across London. You may also like. Previous article What is exposure? Next article How to Remember your Choreography. Slow, soft, sustained, and controlled movement. To bounce with a closing action of the working leg. To beat a movement with a closing action. Crossed to the audience front. Half turn towards the back foot. Inwards towards the supporting Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology. Outwards away from the supporting leg. Facing the audience opposite. A combination of steps a linked phrase of movement. To strike like lighting a match on the floor. To glide a sliding movement from 5th to 5th. Carriage of the arms a controlled movement of the arms. To step onto a straight leg. To draw up the supporting leg. A scissor step - a jump from two feet to two feet. A single jump without changing the feet. To hop a jump taking off and landing on the same foot. Ballet Terms Dictionary | Ballet Term Glossary and Meanings

Because ballet became formalized in Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminologya significant part of ballet terminology is in Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology French language. A jump that takes off from one foot and lands on two feet. When initiated with two feet on the ground e. The dancer launches into a jump, with the second foot then meeting the first foot before landing. The dancer then does a small jump to meet the first foot. The height of the knee versus the foot and the angle of the knee flexion will vary depending on the techniques. The foot of the supporting leg may be flat on the floor, en demi-pointe ball of the footor en pointe tips of the toes. The standing leg can be straight or bent "fondu". For example, a step travelling en avant moves forwards towards the audience, as in sissonne en avant. Similar to en cloche. A ballet fan or enthusiast. The word is of Russian origin c. Showing lightness of movement in leaps and jumps. A dancer exhibiting ballon will appear to spring effortlessly, float in mid-air, and land softly like a balloon. The knee is then bent and the foot brought to a sur le cou-de-pied position. The step can be performed with the leg extensions at 45 or 90 degrees. A sturdy horizontal bar, approximately waist height, used during ballet warm-up exercises and training. Fixed barres are typically mounted on mirror-covered walls; portable barres can be relocated as needed. Used for balance, not support. An alternating side-to-side movement of the working non-supporting leg. Typically performed in multiples, quickly and in rapid succession so that the working foot appears Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology be fluttering or vibrating. See "Battu. Usually during a key solo. Quick movement of the feet, can be performed on pointe or on demi-pointe. The Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology straightens one leg the leg in back and bends a leg and picks it up the leg in front. Then the bent leg is straighted on the floor and the straight leg is picked off the floor and bent. These steps are repeated over and over again. The dancer looks as if he or she is flying across the floor. Cabrioles are divided into two categories: petite, which are executed at 45 degrees, and grande, which are executed at 90 degrees. The working leg is thrust into the air, the underneath leg follows and beats against the first leg, sending it higher. The landing is then made on the underneath leg. Each foot performs a half turn, with Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology held in a tight first position en pointe or demi-pointe. A jump in which the feet change positions in the air. In the Vaganova vocabulary, petit changement de pieds indicates a changement where the feet barely leave the floor. Can be done continuously, as is often done with grands battements and attitudes. A particularly large or complex coda may be called a grand coda. The ensemble of a ballet company, especially the ensemble apart from the featured dancers. Being a part of Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology corps means one is neither a soloist nor a principal dancer. It is commonly executed from cou-de-pied front to cou-de-pied back or vice versa. Facing one of the corners of the stage, the body presents at an oblique angle to the audience, such that the audience can see still both shoulders and hips. A fast sequence of half turns performed by stepping onto one leg, and completing the turn by stepping onto the other, performed on the balls of the feet or high on the toes, with the legs held very close together. For a right working leg, this is a clockwise circle. For example, in a rond de jambe en dehorsstarting from first positionthe foot either left or right would first extend tendu front, move to tendu to the side, and then tendu back, and back in again to first position. Opposite of en dedans. The feet will have now changed position with the left foot in front in 5th position. The arm on the same side as the working leg i. The gaze is directed to the raised arm along the same diagonal. The Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology may or may not return to the initial position, depending on the choreography. In an entrechat six 'six'three changes of the feet are made in the air, ultimately changing which foot is in front. Even-numbered entrechats indicate the number of times the legs cross in and out in the air: a regular changement is two one out, one inentrechat quatre is two outs, two ins; six is three and three; huit is four and four. Odd-numbered entrechats refer to the previous number, but done landing on one foot with the other in cou-de-pied: for example, an entrechat cinq five is the same as an entrechat-quatre, but done landing on one leg. This term relates only to the movement of the body from the waist up. The head generally looks over shoulder that is forward downstage. A slide or brush-through Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology step following a preceding jump or position. Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology phrased with arabesque indicates the brushed follow-through of an arabesqued leg from elevated behind to Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology in front as lead-in to a following step. A partnering dance liftoften performed as part of a pas de deuxin which the male dancer supports the female in a poisson position. Action of extending the working foot out from cou-de-pied. On demi- pointe, Cecchetti employs the Russian style of non-brushed pointed foot directly out. Other schools may use a flexed foot without the strike or a non-brushed pointed foot Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology demi-pointe. A posture in which the feet are turned outward. With one foot in the front and one in the back, you will make fifth position. The front foot is usually facing horizontal while the back foot is diagonal. It does not matter which foot is in the front or back, as long as they are turned out. Known as 'spagat' in German or 'the splits ' or 'jump splits' in English. Throughout the movement, the pelvis should be kept neutral, the back straight and aligned with the heels, the legs turned out, and the knees over the feet. From standing to bent this should be fluid. Known as a split in the air. It is most often done forward and usually involves doing full leg splits in mid-air. The back leg follows making the splits in the air. The dancer must remember to hit the fullest split at the height of the jump, with weight pushed slightly forward, giving Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology dancer a gliding appearance. A suite of individual Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology that serves as a showpiece for lead dancers, demi-soloistsand in some cases the corps de ballet. After the adage, it may include a dance for the corps de ballet often referred to as the ballabilevariations for demi-soloists, variations for lead ballerina and danseur, or Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology combinations of these. Ouvert may refer to positions the second and fourth positions of the feet are positions ouverteslimbs, directions, or certain exercises or steps. In the French School, this term is used to indicate a position or direction of the body similar to. Dancing performed by a pair of dancers, typically a male and a female, in which the pair strives to achieve a harmony of coordinated movements so that the audience remains unaware of the mechanics. A dance that is focused on a single pair of partnering dancers is a pas de deux. For a male dancer, partnering may involve lifting, catching, and carrying a partner, and providing assistance and support for leaps, promenades and pirouettes. This step can also be found in Scottish highland dance. The downstage leg does a demi rond de jambe Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology the opposite corner while the body turns to face that corner. Variants include:. The Dance of the Cygnets from Swan Lake involves sixteen pas de chat performed by four dancers holding hands, arms interlaced. In the Cecchetti and French schools, this may be referred to as a saut de chat 'jump of the cat'. Also called temps de poisson. Doing a split while standing on one foot. The dancer lifts the leg more than 90 degrees. Pirouettes are most often executed en dehorsturning outwards in the direction of the working leg, but can also be done en dedansturning inwards in the direction of the supporting leg. Spotting is employed to Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology maintain balance. A pirouette may return to its starting position or finish in arabesque or attitude. In other genres of dance, such as jazz or modern, it is common to see pirouettes performed with legs parallel i. While in a demi-plie position one must remember to have proper alignment. Head over shoulders, shoulders over hips over knees and knees over feet. When initiating a demi-plie one must pull up and resist against going down. Lengthening from the center and back of the head and pressing down through the floor through the balls of the feet. As you are bending your knees you have to maintain the proper alignment and make sure that the knees are going over the big toe. Creating proper turn out by rotating the inner thighs forward and you go down. Making Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology to keep the pelvis Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology line as you go down and up so that you do not release your seat and stick your chest forward. The knees bending directly above the line of the toes without releasing the heels from the floor. As soon as the bottom of the bend is reached, the bend is reversed and the legs are straightened. When initiating a grand-plie one must pull Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology and resist against going down.