
What is the difference between Failli and En Face in ballet?
In a failli, a dancer will seem to dégagé each leg to the front immediately after the other with a small jump. en Face is a term in ballet used to describe the direction a dancer is facing. 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.
What is a failli step?
"failli" means "failed"... Yeah, it does not make sense... It's actually a compound step where first you jump in the air with your legs together; while still in the air you open the back leg in fourth position back; then you land and chassé front... At least, this is the version I've been taught...
What is a fermé in ballet?
Fermé is a ballet term used to describe how the legs and feet end in a step. For example, when a dancer jumps into the air and closes both feet in the fifth position, it is referred to as sissone fermé.
What are the terms used in ballet?
In ballet, there are several terms that are used. It can be easy for a beginner to feel lost with all of the terminology! Below you’ll find a complete guide / dictionary for the terms in ballet you need to know. Allégro refers to all fast or brisk steps and movements.

What is Épaulement in ballet?
2 usually épaulement \ " \, [French, from épauler + -ment] ballet : a shoulder movement performed by turning the body from the waist upward and bringing one shoulder forward and the other back.
What is Failli?
Failli is a classical ballet term describing a step where the dancer seems to degage each leg to the front immediately after the other with a small jump. A failli is usually done as a preperation step for jumps and is considered an in-between step.
What does allonge mean in dance?
Allonge´ Extended, outstretched. As for example, in arabesque allongé. Assemble´ Assembled or joined together.
What does Degage mean in ballet?
to disengageDégagés are an integral part of a dancer's daily warm up and training and we LOVE the way this ballet basic move lengthens and tones. Dégagé means "to disengage." Dégagé is a movement where the working leg "disengages" from the supporting leg.
How do you use Faillir in a sentence?
Faillir is usually followed by an infinitive and can be translated by "to almost do something," "to all but do something," "to very nearly do something," or "to narrowly miss doing something." Faillir is most commonly used in the past: J'ai failli tomber. - I almost fell. Nous avons failli rater le train.
What is the end of a ballet called?
FinaleFinale is a term used in classical ballet to mean “the end of a ballet.” Finale is not exclusive to ballet, as its used commonly in English and it's originating language, Italian, to describe the end of something.
What are ballet steps called?
Ballet Dance StepsArabesque. An arabesque is an extension of the dancer's leg off the floor to the back of the body. ... Assemblé An assemblé begins in fifth position. ... Balancé ... Battement. ... Brisé ... Changement. ... Ciseaux. ... Glissade.More items...
What is a ballet jump called?
jeté, (French jeté: “thrown”), ballet leap in which the weight of the dancer is transferred from one foot to the other. The dancer “throws” one leg to the front, side, or back and holds the other leg in any desired position upon landing.
What does eleve mean in ballet?
Elevé is another classical ballet term, a French word meaning “movement.” The dancer rises up into demi-pointe or en pointe.
What does En Croix mean in ballet?
In the shape of a crosscroix, en. [ahn krwah] In the shape of a cross. Indicates that an exercise is to be executed to the fourth position front, to the second position and to the fourth position back, or vice versa.
What does port de bras mean in ballet?
: the technique and practice of arm movement in ballet.
What are the 5 basic dance steps?
Yes, you can dance!...follow him!) a teacher at University School of Nashville, breaks down five basic steps everyone should know:Step-touch.Grapevine.Jazz square.Pivot turn.Chassé/Rock step.
What is that new dance move called?
It's called THE SHOOT. Or, the Blocboy JB dance. The Shoot was made in July 25, 2017 by Blocboy JB in his hit single "Shoot." The dance move has swept all across America as one of the most viral new dance moves of 2018.
What are dance moves called?
Dance moves or dance steps (more complex dance moves are called dance patterns, dance figures, dance movements, or dance variations) are usually isolated, defined, and organized so that beginning dancers can learn and use them independently of each other.
What is a sliding dance step called?
CHASSE. (ballet) quick gliding steps with one foot always leading. perform a chasse step, in ballet.
What does the adagio mean in ballet?
Adagio. Italian, or French adage, meaning 'slowly, at ease. '. Slow movements performed with fluidity and grace. One of the typical exercises of a traditional ballet class, done both at barre and in center, featuring slow, controlled movements.
Why do ballet dancers pull up?
The feeling of being simultaneously grounded and "pulled up" is necessary for many steps in ballet. To pull up, a dancer must lift the ribcage and sternum but keep the shoulders down, relaxed and centered over the hips, which requires use of the abdominal muscles. In addition, the dancer must stabilize the pelvis, maintaining a neutral position, and keep the back straight to avoid arching and going off balance.
What is ballonné ballet?
In classical ballet, the term ballonné is a step where the leg is extended (can be front, side, or back) at 45 degrees. The knee is then bent and the foot brought to a sur le cou-de-pied position. This can also be done as a relevé or jump.
What is a manège ballet?
Manèges is a classical ballet term meaning “circular.” It describes when a dancer does steps in a circular pattern around the stage.
What is the dance called after the grand adage?
After the adage, it may include a dance for the corps de ballet (often referred to as the ballabile ), variations for demi-soloists, variations for lead ballerina and danseur, or some combinations of these.
What is the meaning of being part of a ballet company?
Being a part of the corps means one is neither a soloist nor a principal dancer.
What is a ballotte?
A ballotté is a jumping step in classical ballet that consists of coupé dessous and small developpés performed with a rocking and swinging movement. The step can be performed with the leg extensions at 45 or 90 degrees.
What does "in the air" mean in ballet?
Ballet Dictionary. In the air. 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.
What is the meaning of ballon in dance?
Ballon is the light, elastic quality in jumping in which the dancer bounds up from the floor, pauses a moment in the air and descends lightly and softly, only to rebound in the air like the smooth bouncing of a ball.
What is a ballonnette?
Ball-like or bouncing step. A step in which the dancer springs into the air extending one leg to the front, side or back and lands with the extended leg either sur le cou-de-pied or retiré. 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. Ballonné may be executed in all the directions of the body.
What is the Cecchetti method?
The Cecchetti method uses five principal arabesques; the Russian School (Vaganova), four; and the French School, two. Arabesques are generally used to conclude a phrase of steps, both in the slow movements of adagio and the brisk, gay movements of allégro. arriére, en.
What is the position of the body in ballet?
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.
How does a demi plié work?
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. 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.
