ISTD Imperial Ballet Syllabus Exercises Flashcards
Primary knee bend exercise
Feet 1st position
1-4 2 knee bends
5-8 point right foot to side. Close 1st. Point left foot to side. Close 1st.
9-16 repeat
Primary rises with arm movements girls
Feet parallel 1st.
1-6 rise and lower 3 times
7-8 raise both arms from a natural bras bas to demi second and lower.
9-16 repeat
Primary Rises with arm movements B candidates
Feet parallel 1st.
1-6 rise and lower 3 times
7-8 hands on waist. Substitute port de bras, opening arms through en avant to demi bras.
9-16 repeat. Hands returning to waist.
Primary step to side and lift
Feet in 1st.
1-2 step to side with right foot, brushing left through to low attitude devant.
3-8 repeat alternate sides
Primary step, close, step and point
Feet in 1st.
1-4 step to side with right foot, close left foot in 1st position. Step to side with right foot, point left in front en fondu.
5-8 repeat to left side.
Primary arms exercises
Hands opening and closing.
Feet 1st. Hands clenched in front of body, elbows bent.
1 stretch fingers
2 clench
3-8 repeat
Wrists bending up and down
Feet 1st. Both arms extended to side at shoulder level with palms down.
1 flex wrists, Hands up
2 flex wrists, Hands down
3-8 repeat.
Combined:
Feet 1st. Hands clenched in front of body, elbows bent.
1 stretch fingers
2 clenched
3-6 repeat twice.
7-8 extend both arms to the side at shoulder level with palms down.
1 flex wrists, Hands up
2 flex wrists, Hands down
3-6 repeat twice
7-8 arms return to original position.
Primary A candidates port de bras
Feet 1st.
1-2 raise both arms from a natural bras bas to demi seconde and lower
3-4 repeat
5 raise arms through en avant
6-7 open a la second
8 lower
1-4 repeat arm breathes
5-8 raise arms through en avant to en courronne, open a la second, and lower to natural bras bas
Primary B candidates port de bras
Feet 1st. Arms bras bas
1 raise arms through en avant
2-3 open to a la second
4 lower to bras bas
5-8 raise both arms through en avant to en courronne, open a la second and lower to natural bras bas.
1-8 repeat.
Primary Steps taken around the room
Walking with fully extended foot
Lifted walks
1 step forward on right foot
2 swish left leg through natural 1st to low 4th en l’air, both legs fully stretched.
walking on demi pointe
skipping to be preceded by a hop, leg lifted low attitude devant without turn out.
Primary steps of elevation
springs in 1st position
springs to 2nd position and back to 1st position can be combined with springs in 1st.
spring points
gallops with point
Prepare with degree to side.
1-2 two gallops to right commencing with hop.
3-4 step to right, point left foot in front en fondu
5-8 repeat to other side.
Primary A candidate run, point and port de bras
1-3 travelling in a circle, free run holding the skirt.
4 point in front, lifting arms a la second
5-8 port de bras through bras bas, en avant, en courronne and open a la second
1-8 repeat alternate legs, Hands returning to skirt.
Primary B candidates run, point and port de bras
1-3 travelling in a circle, walk/run with hands on waist.
4 degage devant, arms demi bras
5-8 port de bras through bras bas, en avant and open to demi bras.
Repeat alternate legs - hands returning to waist.
Primary Music
Clap, recognise and count
Waltz - 3/4
Polka - 2/4
Walking 4, clapping 4.
Walking 3, clapping 1.
G1 plies set exercise
Facing barre. Feet in 1st. Prepare placing hands on barre.
1 2 demi-plie and straighten.
3 4 rise and lower
5 6 demi-plie and straighten
7 8 degage to 2nd with right foot and lower the heel.
1-4 full plie in 2nd and straighten.
5 6 rise and lower
7 8 degage right foot and close 1st position.
G1 battement tendu en croix
Facing and sideways. Feet 3rd position. Prepare arm a la second.
1 2 extend pointe tendu.
3 4 close 3rd position
G1 retires
Feet 3rd position. Prepare arm a la second.
1-3 draw foot up to a low retire position (base of calf).
4-6 close 3rd derriere.
1-6 repeat, closing devant.
G1 grand battement en croix
Feet 3rd. Prepare arm a la second
1 degage
2 lift en l’air (not to exceed 45°)
3 lower to degage
4 close 3rd position.
G1 Port de bras set exercise
Intro. En face, 1st position. Prepare arms a la second
1-4 lower arms to bras bas, raise through en avant to attitude with right arm high.
5-8 lower arms through a la second to bras bas and raise through en avant to attitude with left arm high.
1-4 lower arms through a la second to bras bas, raise through en avant to en courronne.
5-8 lower arms through a la second to bras bas and raise to en avant.
9 open to demi bras.
G1 Adage steps
Degages devant, derriere and to 2nd in 4 counts. May be executed separately or in a simple combination, all with a straight supporting leg.
3rd position en face.
12 extend
34 close 3rd position
Chasses en avant and to 2nd
G1 Chasses set exercise
En face. Right foot 3rd devant. Bras bas.
1-4 Chasse en avant, arms through en avant and demi bras to bras bas.
5-8 Chasse a la second with right foot. Closing left foot 3rd devant, arms as above.
1-8 Repeat to the other side.
G1 Poses on the whole foot set exercise
Can be done en avant, in a circle, or en diagonal.
Prepare degage devant, arms demi bras.
1 2 Two walks forward, taking arms through bras bas to en avant.
3 pose raising leg 4th derriere at 45°, arms demi bras
4 Hold.
Repeat.
G1 Poses on the whole foot set exercise
Can be done en avant, in a circle, or en diagonal.
Prepare degage devant, arms demi bras.
1 2 Two walks forward, taking arms through bras bas to en avant.
3 pose raising leg 4th derriere at 45°, arms demi bras
4 Hold.
Repeat.
G1 Allegro warm up steps
Skips
Gallops - en avant and de cote
Runs
Sautes in 1st position
Spring points
G1 allegro steps
Skips
Gallops - en avant and de cote
Runs
Changements
Sautes in 1st position
Spring points
Polka - en avant and de cote
Petit jetes - devant and derriere
Retire sautes - en barriers
Pose temps leve - with low attitude devant
G1 music
Recognise, clap and count - with or without the music
Waltz - 3/4
Polka - 2/4
March - 4/4
G2 plies set exercise
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd positions. Facing barre. Feet 1st. Prepare placing hands on barre.
1 2 Demi plie and straighten
3 4 Rise and lower
5-8 Full plie and straighten
&a Degage and place next position.
Degage and close 1st position to finish.
G2 Tendu set exercise
Commence 3rd position, prepare arm a la second.
1 tendu in 4 counts in each position en croix.
G2 ronds de jambe a terre en dehors and en dedans
Was free, but new setting. 2 en dehors and 2 en dedans. Prepare degage to 2nd, arm a la second.
En dehors
1 circle leg to 4th opposite 1st derriere
2 close 1st
3 degage to 4th opposite 1st devant
4 circle leg to 2nd position
Repeat en dedans.
G2 assembles soutenus set exercise
3rd position. Arms bras bas.
1 degage 4th opposite 5th devant with straight support leg, arm en avant.
2 circle leg to second position, arm a la second
3 circle leg to 4th opposite 5th derriere, arms a la second.
4 close 3rd derriere, lowering arm to bras bas.
5-8 Repeat en dedans
9-16 repeat en dehors and en dedans en fondu
G2 Retires and releve set exercise
3rd position. Prepare arm a la second.
1 2 Retire, close 3rd derriere
3 4 Retire, close 3rd devant
& Demi plie, lowering arm to bras bas
5 6 Releve in 5th, arm en avant to attitude
7 8 Lower to 3rd on straight legs, opening arm a la second
1-8 Repeat
G2 Grands battement en croix set exercise
3rd position. Prepare arm a la second.
1 grand battement in 2 counts in each position en croix - not to exceed 45°.
G2 Port de bras set exercise
En face, 1st position. Prepare arms a la second.
1 2 Lower right arm to bras bas and raise en avant (bras croise).
3 4 Open arm a la second
5-8 Repeat with left arm
9 10 Lower both arms to bras bas and raise to en avant
11 12 Place attitude greque, right arm high
13 14 Turn upper body slightly towards downstage right corner
15 16 Extend arms to 3rd arabesque, right arm high.
Hold.
Also taken on other side, starting with left arm.
G2 Adage steps
Chasses
En arriere and passe en avant
Feet 3rd, arms bras bas.
&1 Chasse to position, arms en avant
2 Hold
3 Transfer weight and straighten legs, arms demi bras
4 Close to 3rd position, lowering arms to bras bas.
Arabesque
1st arabesque a terre and en l’air
Demi detournes
G2 Adage exercise set
Upstage left ouverte, right foot 3rd devant, bras bas.
1-3 3 walks RLR into degage derriere ouverte, arms en avant
4 Hold degage derriere and extend arms into 1st arabesque
5 6 Raise leg en l’air and hold
7 lower to degage derriere a terre, retain arms
& Open arms a la second
8 Close 3rd position derriere, arms bras bas
1-8 Repeat all as above
9 Hold final position
Also to be taken to other side.
G2 Demi detournes set exercise
En face. 3rd position, right foot devant. Arms bras croise, left arm front.
1 2 Releve 5th and hold
3 Demi plie
4 Hold
5-7 Demi detourne lowering into Demi plie, arms bras croise, right arm front
8 Hold
1-4 Repeat counts 5-8
5 Changement, arms bras bas
6-8 Place arms bras croise, right arm front
Repeat.
G2 Allegro warm up steps
Skips
Gallops - en avant and de cote
Runs
Sautes in 1st
Spring points
Retire sautes en arriere
Petit jetes - devant and derriere
G2 Allegro steps (free setting)
Assembles over and under in 1 count
Balances de cote
Pas de chat
&1 pas de chat
2 Pause
Echappes sautes to 2nd
Glissades devant and derriere
&1 Glissade
2 Hold in demi plie
Jetes ordinaires devant and derriere
Soubresauts
G2 A Candidate Balance set exercise
Upstage left en face, standing on left foot, right foot cou-de-pied derriere, arms bras croise, right arm forward.
1-4 4 balances de cote RLRL en face, arms sway naturally through bras croise.
5 6 Run to downstage right, opening arms a la second
7 8 port de bras and place 1st arabesque a terre standing on right leg.
9-16 Repeat starting with left leg (travel balances en arriere if room is small).
G2 B Candidates Balance exercise
Music has a stronger quality
Upstage left en face, standing on left foot, right degage derriere, Hands on waist.
1 Balance de cote to right, opening right arm a la second
2 Balance de cote to left, opening left arm, right arm returns to waist.
3 4 Repeat balances de cote RL
5 6 Walk run to downstage right, opening arms a la second
7 8 Port de bras and place 1st arabesque a terre, standing on right leg.
9-16 Repeat all, starting with left leg (Travel balances en arriere if room is small).
G2 Music
Recognise and clap semibreves (whole notes), minus (half notes), crotchets (quarter notes) and quavers (eighth notes).
G3 plies set exercise
1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th ouverte positions. Sideways to barre
1st, arms a la second
1 2 Demi-plie and straighten
3 4 Rise and lower
5-8 Full plie and straighten - simple port de bras
& a Degage and place next position.
Degage and close 3rd devant, lower arm to bras bas to finish.
G3 Tendus with demi plie set exercise
3rd position. Arms bras bas.
1 2 Battement tendu devant, raising arm to en avant
3 4 Close 3rd with demi plie, retaining arm line.
5 6 Battement tendu to 2nd, opening arm a la second
7 8 Close 3rd derriere with demi plie, retaining arm line.
1 2 Battement tendu derriere, arm a la second
3 4 Close 3rd derriere with demi plie, retaining arm line
5 6 Battement tendu to 2nd, arm a la second
7 8 Close 3rd devant with demi plie, arms bras bas.
G3 Rond de jambe a terre en dehors and en dedans
New setting. 2 en dehors and 2 dedans.
Prepare degage to 2nd, arm a la second
En dehors
& Circle leg to 4th opposite 1st derriere
1 Close in 1st
& Degage to 4th opposite 1st devant
2 Circle leg to 2nd position
Repeat en dedans.
G3 Assembles Soutenue set exercise
3rd position. Arms bras bas.
1 Degage 4th opposite 5th devant with straight supporting leg, arm en avant.
& Circle leg to 2nd position, arm a la second
a Circle leg to 4th opposite 5th derriere, arm a la second
2 Close 3rd derriere, lowering arm to bras bas.
Repeat en dedans
Repeat en dehors and en dedans en fondu.
G3 Battement frappes
To 2nd in 1 count, accent out.
Prepare degage to 2nd, arm a la second, and place foot in frappe position devant.
1 Frappe to 2nd
& Place foot in frappe position derriere.
Repeat alternatively devant and derriere.
G3 Developpes en croix set exercise
3rd position. Bras bas.
Developpe devant
1 Draw foot up in front of supporting leg - arm en avant.
2 Unfold and extend to 4th en l’air - arm a la second
3 Hold
4 Lower and close 3rd, arms bras bas.
Developpe to 2nd
Foot is drawn up to the side of the supporting leg.
Developpe derriere
Foot is drawn up at the back of the supporting leg.
G3 Grand battement set exercise
3rd position, prepare arm a la second.
1 grand battement in 2 counts in each position en croix.
G3 Demi pointe barre
Echappes en Demi pointe to 2nd
3rd position facing the barre - accent up.
G3 Port de bras free setting
Simple free enchainement. May include a degage to change direction.
G3 Adage steps
Chasses passes en arriere
May be performed in four counts or two counts.
Attitude ordinaire
A terre and en l’air derriere
G3 set Adage exercise
Recommended music: baroque, 12/8, 3/4.
Croise, 3rd right devant, bras bas.
1 2 Chasse passe en avant to 1st arabesque a terre, ouverte, arms en avant to 1st arabesque.
3 4 Raise leg en l’air and hold.
5 6 Degage derriere opening arms a la second and close foot 3rd position derriere, arms bras bas
7 8 Chasse passe en avant to attitude ordinaire a terre croise, arms to en avant and attitude.
1 2 Raise the leg to attitude ordinaire en l’air and hold.
3 4 Degage derriere opening arms and close 3rd position derriere, open arm a la second and lower bras bas
5 6 chasse passe en arriere to degage devant, croise, arms en avant to demi bras
7 Hold
8 Close 3rd position devant croise, arms bras bas
1-16 Repeat to other side
G3 poses en demi pointe set exercise
Executed en avant, in a circle, or en diagonal.
As for G1, but with pose en demi point on count 3.
G3 Allegro warm up step
Runs
Gallops
Skips
Assembles - over and under
Changements
Pas de chat
Echappe saute
Glissades - devant and derriere
Jete ordinaires, devant and derriere
Sautes in 1st and 2nd
Soubresauts