FREE DICTIONARY OF CLASSICAL BALLET TERMINOLOGY PDF Rhonda Ryman | 100 pages | 14 Jun 2007 | Royal Academy of Dance | 9781904386872 | English | London, United Kingdom Ballet Terms A To Z - Dictionary of basic Ballet moves 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.