Midterm Flashcards
Alignment
the organization of the body in relationship to dance
Turn out
the ability of the dancer to his or her feet and legs out from the hip joints to a 90 or 180 degree position
centering
part of the dancers alignment. The dancer must stay balanced through a center line running up and down the mid line of the torso while on two feet and while on one foot that line must shift through the middle of the standing foot and go through an even torso and pelvis both horizontally and vertically.
Sickled Foot
A poorly aligned foot compared to the alignment of the kneecap.
Plie’
to bend or bent. The bending of the knees over the first and second toe.
Demi’ Plie’
half or small plie’
Grand/e Plie’
big plie’
Tendu
to stretch. The working foot slides along the floor to a full point.
Eleve’
to elevate. A rise to the balls of the feet.
Releve’
Rise to the balls of the feet with a plie’ before.
Degage’
To disengage. A tendu which releases from the floor usually done with an accent back to the start position.
Devant
In front or to the front.
Derriere
Behind or to the back.
A La Seconde
To the side or literally to the second.
En Croix
In the shape of the cross, exercise done in the shape of a cross. An exercise done to the front, side, back, side.
Croise’
Crossed. Body is placed at an oblique angle to the audience while standing at an oblique angle.
Efface’
Hidden or shaded, Means open, crossed to the audience while standing at an oblique angle.
Ecarte’
Separated or wide apart. A static position.
Epaule’
Shouldered. The body is drawn in a way where the back is slightly visible and/or shoulders are slightly diagonal (epaulement)
En Face
Opposite the audience of facing the audience straight on.
Soussus
Under over refers to the springing releve’ in 5th position which is tightly crossed.
Coupe’ / Sur le cou pied
To cut (around the neck of the foot) a position where the working foot is pointed and held at the ankle of the standing leg.
Retire’
To withdraw. It’s a withdrawing of the gesture foot from the floor until it touches the supporting knee. Front, side, or back of the knee.
Passe’
To pass. A retire’ that travels from the front to the back or to another position.
Grand Battement
Big or large beat. The working leg is raised from the hip into the air and brought down again through tendu.
Port de bras
The movement or carriage of the arms. Used to develop gracefulness. An elementary way to count music.
Cambre’
To arch. The body bends from the waist, sideways or backwards with the head following the movement.
Eschappe’
means escaped or to escape. A releve made with a slight spring from 5th position to 2nd position. Or 4th position and then back to 5th position.
Port de corps (penche’)
Carriage of the body. A forward bend of the body at the hip joints. Penche means to leave or incline.
Rhythm
An accent that creates a feel
Beat
Each count
Meter
The time of the music or the amount of beats/counts
Phrase
A series of measures or beats that completes a musical idea.
Tempo
The speed of the music.
Adagio
Slow and leisurely.
Allegro
Quick and lively. Small, medium, and grand allegro.
Frappe’
Struck or to strike. It is the basis for the allegro step jete.
Petit Battement (Sur le coude pied)
A small beat on the neck of the foot.
Ron De Jambe
Circle of the leg or round of the leg. Used to develop turn out.
En Dehors
refers to ron de jambe and/or pirouettes. Means outward or from front to back.
En Dedan
Outwards or back to front
A terre
on the ground or touching the floor
En L’air
In the air
En Avant
Forward movement
En arriere
Moving backwards
De Cote’
Sideways moving to the right or left
Chasse’
To chase a step in which one foot chases another foot out of a position. Considered as one of ballets transition steps.
Battement Tendu Releve’
Stretched or risen or rises.
Developpe’
To develop. Gesture leg is slowly drawn up to retire and extended in the air, front, side or back.
Fondu
To melt. The lowering of the body by bending the knee of the supporting leg.
R. I. C. E.
R- Rest
I- Ice
C- Compression
E- Elevation
