Technique: Tendu Once Upon A ™

Tendus are done during “circle ” or “centre barre” up through Pre-Ballet II. In Ballet 1, students begin performing tendus at the barre.

RECOMMENDED PROGRESSION OF BATTEMENT TENDU: ● 2 year olds should be able to “tendu” with the help of a prop (such as a bean bag, mat or tape for them to point to with their toes). They may also need the help of a parent/caregiver. ● 3 year olds should be able to tendu to the front in parallel with correct posture. ● 4 years olds should be able to tendu to the front from a "slight V" 1st position with correct posture. ● 5 and 6 year olds should tendu front and side from a "natural" 1st position with correct posture. Students should be introduced to completing tendus at varying speeds. When done slowly, there should be emphasis placed on rolling through the demi pointe to close. ● 7 through 9 year olds should tendu to the front, side and back from 1st position. Tendus should be introduced in a slow tempo with emphasis placed on rolling through the demi pointe. Later in the year, students should also be introduced to tendu front, side and back from 5th position.

AGE-APPROPRIATE IMAGES AND WORDS TO USE: ● To help students work through their feet correctly, use the word “slide” out and “slide” in for tendus. ● If telling your students to “straighten” their knees does not obtain results, try telling them to “stretch their legs long” or to “keep their knees stiff”. Sometimes using different language will click better with certain students. ● Place your hand or a prop just in front of your students' toes to give them something tangible to reach toward. (But be sure they keep proper alignment in their pelvis/hips!) ● Have students pretend the floor is made of clay or Play-Doh and that they must shape it with their feet as they tendu to help them better use the floor. ● Have students pretend their feet--especially their toes--are paint brushes. Ask them what color paint they are using to paint the floor as they tendu.

WATCH OUT: Sometimes when students are asked to lengthen their tendu leg, students will “lengthen” it by shifting their pelvis forward. To help students correctly feel lengthening their working leg, have them stand with their backs (and hips) against a wall. Then have them tendu front and try lengthening their leg while keeping their hips against the wall. You can also place your hand or an object just in front of their toes and have them reach for it. This will not only help them to lengthen their leg, but also their toes while pointing. Watch out that students do not begin to slump while focusing on their lower bodies. Use images to promote correct posture when needed. To make sure students (ages 7+) are stretching their toes long rather than curling them when pointing, students may need to wear socks or be barefoot during this exercise until they are consistently pointing correctly. Keeping their toes lengthened while pointing will strengthen the metatarsals of the feet and better prepare students for pointework later on. This will be challenging for most in this age group.

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