What are the basic terms of ballet?
Glossary of Fundamental Ballet Terms Ballet originated in Italy and was formalized over centuries in France, which is why most ballet terms are in French or Italian. À la seconde: “To the second position” or “to the side,” as in plié à la seconde or grand battement à la seconde. À terre: "On the ground," indicates a movement.
What is a ballet position called?
Ballet Position Terms. Arabesque ( Ah rah besk) - a position on one leg with the other leg raised behind the body and extended in a straight line. Attitude ( ah tea tude) - A variation on the arabesque. The extended leg is raised behind the body but bent at the knee at an angle of 90 degrees.
What is a finale in ballet?
Finale 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. In terms of classical ballet, a finale is usually the last dance or section of a ballet... Learn more
Why is ballet called Ballet in French?
Ballet originated in Italy and was formalized over centuries in France, which is why most ballet terms are in French or Italian. À la seconde: “To the second position” or “to the side,” as in plié à la seconde or grand battement à la seconde. À terre: "On the ground," indicates a movement.
What is the end of a ballet class called?
révérenceAt the end of the traditional ballet class, dancers perform a révérence, a short combination in the center in which men bow and women curtsy, to thank the teacher and the musician for dance, if your class has one, and say good-bye.
What are the parts of a ballet called?
A classical production is divided into three sections: the opening pas de deux (dance for two), or adagio; variations or individual performances by the partners, first by the male and then by the female; and the final pas de deux, or coda.
What are ballet turns called?
In ballet, a turn in the direction of the raised leg is said to be en dehors whereas a turn in the opposite direction is en dedans. In ballroom dancing, a natural turn is a clockwise revolution of dance partners around each other, and its mirrored counterpart is the counter-clockwise reverse turn.
What are the 3 sections of a ballet class?
Ballet class consists of three parts: barre, floor, and center.The first part of ballet class is spent at the barre. The barre is a long wooden or metal bar fixed to the wall. ... The second part of ballet class is floor. ... The final section of ballet class is center.
What is the basic structure of a ballet class?
A typical ballet class is divided into two sections: Barre and Centre, consisting of Adage, Pirouettes and Allegro. Ballet class always finishes with Reverence. Ballet class is progressive. In the beginning of class, dancers will start off learning smaller, more basic steps and movements at a slower tempo.
What are the main elements of a ballet class?
A basic ballet class consists of several segments, usually: barre, center, adagio, allegro, and reverence. The components of a basic ballet class are usually consistent throughout most of the world.
What are the 7 movements of ballet?
Noverre analyzed ballet movement into seven basic categories. These are known as the seven movements in dancing. These are plier (to bend), etendre (to stretch), relever (to rise), sauter (to jump), tourner (to turn), glisser (to glide), and elancer (to dart).
What is passe ballet?
Passe´ Passed. This is an auxiliary movement in which the foot of the working leg passes the. knee of the supporting leg from one position to another. ( pa-SAY)
What are the turns in dance called?
There are three types of pirouettes: Pirouette en dehors – meaning “turning outwards,” the dancer's body turns towards the raised leg. Pirouette en dedans – meaning “turning inwards”, the dancer's body turns towards the supporting leg. Pirouette à la seconde – This pirouette is commonly seen in men's variations.
What do ballerinas do at the end of a performance?
Reverence typically looks like a bow or curtsy, and it is the last exercise of a ballet class, in which the ballet dancers pay respect to and acknowledge the teacher and accompanist. It is also a bow or curtsy after a performance to acknowledge the applause of the crowd.
What is the structure of a dance class?
The structure of almost any dance class can be distilled down into the following template: Generic warm-up, followed by a style-specific warm-up. Preparatory exercises to introduce and break down stylistic movement patterns, actions and sensibilities (often emphasising alignment and technical concepts)
What is the correct order of a ballet barre?
Barre Work Combinations are done with the right leg at first (ie. the left hand at the barre) and then repeated on the other side, sometimes with a small balance exercise in between. Pliés and port-de-bras – in 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th position.
What are the 8 body positions in ballet?
8 Body Positions in Ballet in OrderCroisé Devant.Quatrième Devant.Effacé Devant.à la Seconde.Croisé Derriere.EcartéEpauléQuatrième Derrière.
What are the 7 movements in ballet?
Noverre analyzed ballet movement into seven basic categories. These are known as the seven movements in dancing. These are plier (to bend), etendre (to stretch), relever (to rise), sauter (to jump), tourner (to turn), glisser (to glide), and elancer (to dart).
What are the 5 basic positions of ballet?
What are the Five Basic Positions of Ballet? The positions of the feet include first position, second position, third position, fourth position and fifth position. There are also other basic ballet positions of the arms that can be combined with other beginner and advanced steps.
What are the little steps in ballet called?
Bourree's are tiny steps that are done very quickly and are beautiful to watch.
What is the last part of a ballet called?
Literally, tail. This term refers to the last part of a ballet where, normally, the dancers perform the most complex steps and variations. Coda can also be used to describe the last part of a pas de deux. Generally, codas are the most memorable part of a performance, and are associated with a great amount of energy and strength.
What is the second part of ballet?
It is the second part of a ballet class, normally following the exercises done at the barre. It is composed by a series of movement sequences that aim to put together what the dancer worked on in the barre; including coordination, strength, control, agility and flexibility, among others. Normally, the exercises done in the center are longer and more complex than the ones that are done in the barre, and they make the dancer travel through the classroom with the execution of the steps.
What is battement tendu?
Literally: stretched battement. This is the basic step of ballet and is normally the first exercise of the barre. The dancer will start from a first or fifth position and will extend the working leg devant, derrière or a la seconde while brushing the floor with the foot. After brushing, the foot will reach a fully pointed position, but won’t be lifted from the floor. Then the foot will return to the initial position by brushing the floor again. Battement tendu can also be done with the supporting leg in demi-plié.
What does it mean when a dancer has beautiful extensions?
In ballet, this term refers to the ability of the dancer to raise his/her extended leg en l’air, and have the strength and control to hold it there. It is common to hear the phrase: “X dancer has beautiful extensions”, referring to the height and shape of the leg that is en l’air.
What is the term for a short dance performed by a dancer?
This term is used in ballet to describe a short dance performed by a dancer or a group of dancers. These short segments are also called “entrées” and are included in ballets to show specific skills or talents of the dancers. Generally, divertissements lack of a storyline and don’t add anything to the plot of the ballet.
What is chaîne in ballet?
In Ballet, chaînés are a series of consecutive turns executed on both feet. Chaînés can be done in a straight line or in a circle (manège). The dancer alternates the weight between the feet very quickly; this allows the turns to gain speed and be consecutive, creating a “chain” dynamic in the movement.
What is the arm position in ballet?
Unlike the foot positions, the arms positions in ballet are not standard and can vary depending on the method or school. However, they all follow a similar line in which the elbows are slightly bent and the hands are positioned in a gentle manner, continuing the line of the body.
What is the first position in ballet?
Possibly the easiest of the basic ballet positions is first position in ballet is a position of the feet where a dancer is standing with their heels together and toes facing equally out to either side. For a beginner, its best just to think of the heels as needing to touch, but for more advanced dancers, no more than 2 inches should be between the heels. Unless in a plié, the legs are straight. The feet and legs should also be equally turned out.
What are the positions of the feet in ballet?
The positions of the feet include first position, second position, third position, fourth position and fifth position. There are also other basic ballet positions of the arms that can be combined with other beginner and advanced steps. When a teacher asks “Start in First Position…” they are generally referring to the feet.
How many basic positions are there in ballet?
In classical ballet, there are five basic positions of both the feet and arms. First, we’ll take a look at the five basic ballet positions of the feet. The five basic positions are usually one of the first things taught in a beginner’s ballet class but are essential to the technique of classical ballet as practically every step begins ...
How to do second position ballet?
To try second position, start in a nice looking first position of the arms, then open at the elbows, only moving them slightly back a couple inches.
Should you roll your feet in ballet?
You shouldn’t be rolling your feet or ankles to standing in a basic ballet position. Unless you’re in a plie, try to think of your legs squeezing together and down into the floor so you can pull up with your upper body. For advanced students, your legs should be straight in every position.
What is ballet dance?
For other uses, see Ballet (disambiguation). For a list of terms, see Glossary of ballet. Ballet ( French: [balɛ]) is a type of performance dance that originated during the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia.
What is the difference between classical ballet and modern ballet?
Ballets are choreographed and performed by trained ballet dancers. Traditional classical ballets are usually performed with classical music accompaniment and using elaborate costumes and staging, whereas modern ballets are often performed in simple costumes and without elaborate sets or scenery.
How many methods of ballet are there?
There are six widely used, internationally recognized methods to teach or study ballet. These methods are the French School, the Vaganova Method, the Cecchetti Method, the Bournonville method, the Royal Academy of Dance method (English style), and the Balanchine method (American style).
What was the name of the first ballet company founded by Louis XIV?
In 1672, Louis XIV made Jean-Baptiste Lully the director of the Académie Royale de Musique ( Paris Opera) from which the first professional ballet company, the Paris Opera Ballet, arose.
Why is ballet written?
The structure of ballet – in which a (usually) male choreographer or director uses (mostly) women's bodies to express his artistic vision , while ignoring, objectifying, or silencing the women involved – has been criticized as harming women.
What is the Valse des Cygnes?
The Valse des cygnes from Act II of the Ivanov/Petipa edition of Swan Lake. Classical ballet is based on traditional ballet technique and vocabulary. Different styles have emerged in different countries, such as French ballet, Italian ballet, English ballet, and Russian ballet.
Where did ballet originate?
Ballet originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Under Catherine de' Medici 's influence as Queen, it spread to France, where it developed even further. The dancers in these early court ballets were mostly noble amateurs.
What is the name of the jumps in ballet?
Used in ballet to refer to all jumps, regardless of tempo. A category of exercises found in a traditional ballet class, e.g. petit allegro (small, generally fast jumps) and grand allegro (large, generally slower jumps).
What is the name of the dance where the dancer stands on one leg?
Arabesque. In dance (particularly ballet), arabesque (French: [aʁabɛsk]; literally, "in Arabic fashion") is a body position in which a dancer stands on one leg (the supporting leg) with the other leg (the working leg) extended, straight, behind the body. The arm positions can vary and are generally allongé.
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 pas de deux dance?
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 .
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 is a dancer in ballet called?
Danseur - a male dancer in a ballet company. Choreographer - a person who composes or invents ballets or dances. Ballet Master or Ballet Mistress - a person in a ballet company whose job is to give the daily company class and to rehearse the ballets in the company repertoire.
What is classical ballet?
Classical Ballet - a traditional style of ballet which stresses the academic technique developed through the centuries of the existence of ballet. Modern Ballet - a type of ballet from the twentieth century. To this day, modern ballet looks to re-invent itself and reach out in an ever-increasing facet of creation and movement.
What is Pas de Deux dance?
Pas de Deux - a dance for two. Adagio ( u da zhe-o) - is a succession of slow, soft, lyrical, and continuous movements. Adagio creates the illusion that the positions flow from one into another. Allegro ( a leg grow ) - allegro in ballet involves fast and dynamic movements, usually jumping steps and sequences.
What is a tutu in ballet?
Tutu - the short classical ballet skirt made of many layers of net. A romantic tutu is a long net skirt reaching below the calf. Barre - a horizontal bar (usually made of wood) along a studio wall for class exercises. Every ballet class begins with barre exercises.
What is ballet choreography?
Choreography - describes the steps, combinations, and patterns of a ballet or dance. Pointe Shoes - The satin ballet shoes used by dancers when dancing on their pointes (toes). Pointe shoes are reinforced with a box constructed of numerous layers of strong glue in between layers of material. Pointe shoes are not made of cement or wood.
What is the meaning of "attitude" in dance?
Attitude ( ah tea tude) - A variation on the arabesque. The extended leg is raised behind the body but bent at the knee at an angle of 90 degrees. Croisé ( quo say) - A dancer stands with legs crossed at an angle to the audience. The disengaged leg may be crossed in the front or in the back.
How many terms are there in ballet?
A Basic Ballet Dictionary: 70 Ballet Terms. Classical ballet is a centuries-old art form that relies on highly-stylized and graceful movements. A professional ballerina begins each day at the barre refining their technique and warming up their body before ballet class.
What is the dance called when the dancer extends their legs out from their body and beats their calves together
Cabriole: “Caper.”. A jump in which the dancer extends their legs out from their body and beats their calves together before landing. Chaînés: "Chain" or "link.". A popular movement in which the dancer turns on both feet, bringing each foot up and back down in rapid succession that allows for quick movement.
What is the meaning of "pass de deux"?
Pas de deux: A “dance for two,” or duet, in classical ballet. Passé: “Passed.”. A passing movement, in which one foot passes in back or in front of the knee of the supporting leg, or one leg passes the other in the air.
What is the dancer's fifth position?
Another term for effacé. Pas de basque: “Basque step.”. The dancer stands in fifth position, then executes a plié with the back leg. Extending the front leg in a tendu, the dancer moves the front leg in a circular movement around to the back.
What is the fifth position of the foot?
"entrechat quatres.". Fifth position: The feet turn outward, one foot directly in front of the other with the first joint of each big toe extending past each heel.
What does "en l'air" mean?
A term used with a movement or step to indicate a forward direction. En l’air: "In the air.". Indicates a movement or leg position that is held in the air. En croix: "Cross.". Indicates a leg movement or step that is completed to the front, side, and back in succession, with the leg moving in the shape of a cross.
What is an assembly dance?
Assemblé: “Joined together.”. A move in which a dancer brushes the toes of one foot along the ground, then brings both legs together in the air. Attitude: A pose in which the dancer stands straight on one leg with the other leg lifted in back or front and bent at 90 degrees.
What is classical ballet?
Classical ballet is what people generally think of first when it comes to “ballet.”. Classical ballet reached its height in 19th- century Russia through the work of choreographers like Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. The following elements characterize this style:
What is contemporary ballet?
Contemporary ballet is influenced by modern dance. Renowned contemporary ballet choreographers include Twyla Tharp, Jiří Kylián, Paul Taylor, William Forsythe and Dwight Rhoden. In contemporary ballet, you may see: floor work. turn- in of the legs. greater range of movement and body line. pointe shoes but also bare feet.
When was Neo-Classical Ballet created?
Neo-classical ballet was introduced in the 20th century by choreographers like George Balanchine. It generally includes: increased speed, energy and attack. manipulation of the classical form. asymmetry, an off-balance feel. non-narrative, often one-act ballets. pared-down aesthetic with simple sets and costumes.
What is a story ballet?
Story ballets (not surprisingly!) tell a story. They contain narrative action, characters, a beginning and an end. The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty are famous story ballets from the 19th century; classic stories and novels such as The Great Gatsby and The Three Musketeers also have been transformed into ballets.
Overview
Ballet is a type of performance dance that originated during the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread and highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary. Ballet has been influential globally and has defined the foundational techniques which are used in many other dance genres and cultures. Various schools around the world have incorporated their own cultures. As a result…
Etymology
Ballet is a French word which had its origin in Italian balletto, a diminutive of ballo (dance) which comes from Latin ballo, ballare, meaning "to dance", which in turn comes from the Greek "βαλλίζω" (ballizo), "to dance, to jump about". The word came into English usage from the French around 1630.
History
Ballet originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Under Catherine de' Medici's influence as Queen, it spread to France, where it developed even further. The dancers in these early court ballets were mostly noble amateurs. Ornamented costumes were meant to impress viewers, but they restricted performers' freedom of movement.
The ballets were performed in large chambers with viewers on three sides. The implementation …
Styles
Stylistic variations and subgenres have evolved over time. Early, classical variations are primarily associated with geographic origin. Examples of this are Russian ballet, French ballet, and Italian ballet. Later variations, such as contemporary ballet and neoclassical ballet, incorporate both classical ballet and non-traditional technique and movement. Perhaps the most widely known and performed ballet style is late Romantic ballet (or Ballet blanc).
Technical methods of ballet instruction
There are six widely used, internationally recognized methods to teach or study ballet. These methods are the French School, the Vaganova Method, the Cecchetti Method, the Bournonville method, the Royal Academy of Dance method (English style), and the Balanchine method (American style). Many more schools of technique exist in various countries.
Although preschool-age children are a lucrative source of income for a ballet studio, ballet instru…
Costumes
Ballet costumes play an important role in the ballet community. They are often the only survival of a production, representing a living imaginary picture of the scene.
The roots of ballet go back to the Renaissance in France and Italy when court wear was the beginning of ballet costumes. Ballet costumes have been around since the early fifteenth century. Cotton and silk were mixed with flax, woven into semitransparent gauze to create exquisite balle…
Ballet as a career
Professional dancers are generally not well paid, and earn less money than a typical worker. As of 2020, American dancers (including ballet and other dance forms) were paid an average of US$19 per hour, with pay somewhat better for teachers than for performers.
The job outlook is not strong, and the competition to get a job is intense, with the number of applicants vastly exceeding the number of job openings. Most jobs involve teaching in private da…
Health effects
Teenage girl ballet dancers are prone to stress fractures in the first rib. Eating disorders are thought to be common, and a 2014 meta-analysis suggests that studies do indicate that ballet dancers are at higher risk than the general population for several kinds of eating disorders. In addition, some researchers have noted that intensive training in ballet results in lower bone mineral density in the arms.
Overview
Because ballet became formalized in France, a significant part of ballet terminology is in the French language.
P
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.
A
(French pronunciation: [a la səɡɔ̃d]) (Literally "to second") If a step is done "à la seconde," it is done to the side. 'Second position'.
(French pronunciation: [a la katʁijɛm]) One of the directions of body, facing the audience (en face), arms in second position, with one leg extended either to fourth position in front (quatrième devant) or fourth position behind (quatrième derrière).
B
(French pronunciation: [balɑ̃se]; "balanced") A rocking sequence of three steps—fondu, relevé, fondu (down, up, down)—executed in three counts. Before the first count, one foot extends in a dégagé to second position (balancé de côté) or to the front (balancé en avant) or rear (balancé en arrière). The second foot in the sequence (in any direction) assembles behind the first to relevé in fifth or fourth position.
C
(French pronunciation: [kabʁijɔl]; meaning 'caper.') An allegro step in which the extended legs are beaten in the air. 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. Cabriole may be done devant, derrière and à la seconde in any given posit…
D
(French pronunciation: [dɑ̃sœʁ]) A male ballet dancer.
(French pronunciation: [dɑ̃sœʁ nɔbl]) A male ballet dancer who excels in refined classical roles, often playing the prince or other royalty in a classical ballet.
(French pronunciation: [dɑ̃søz]) A female ballet dancer.
(French pronunciation: [debule]); literally 'hurtled,' as in 'with great speed.') Another name denotin…
E
(French pronunciation: [ekaʁte]; literally 'spread,' as in 'separated.') One of the basic positions of the body facing the audience at an oblique angle and with the downstage leg open to the side of the body, along the other diagonal, either touching the floor or en l'air. The arm on the same side as the working leg (i.e. the downstage arm) is raised en haut and the other arm is in second position. The gaze is directed to the raised arm along the same diagonal
F
(French pronunciation: [ɑ̃ fas]; 'facing, in front of.') En face indicates facing something directly, generally the audience.
(French pronunciation: [faji] 'given way', past participle.) A slide or brush-through transition step following a preceding jump or position. Failli is often used as shorthand for a sissonne (ouverte +pas) failli, indicating a jump from two feet landing on one (sissonne) with the back foot then sli…