Untitled Deck Flashcards by Vanessa D

adagio A music term used for slow

sustained movements. The ‘adagio’ portion of ballet class may encompasses high développés above 90°

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allegro Rapid tempo movements

often includes jumping steps. Petit allegro includes smaller jumping steps. Grand allegro includes large expansive jumps such as grand jeté.

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arabesque The gesture leg is extended behind the dancer’s body at 90° or higher

which requires hip and spine hyperextension

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arrière

en To the back.

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assemblé To assemble or place (the feet) together in the air (usually in fifth position) during a jump.

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attitude The hip of the gesture leg is at 90°

the knee is bent

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avant

en To the front.

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Balanchine Founder

director

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ballón The quality of lightness

ease in jumping.

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ballotté “Tossed”. A light

rocking quality

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barre The introductory / warm up portion of the ballet class

conducted while holding onto a ballet bar. The dancer always starts with the left hand at the bar

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beats To hit the legs together

moving in and out of fifth position in the air. See petite batterie.

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Bourrée A step performed on pointe from fifth position. Initiated with the front foot

there is a rapid weight shift from one foot to the other

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brisé A jumping beat which allows the dancer to travel in a specified direction.

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cabriole “Caper like a goat”. A jump where one leg is kicked up into the air and the supporting leg pushes off and beats underneath the gesture leg

propelling it higher. The jump lands on the kicking leg.

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cambré A bend of the body from the waist to the front

back

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Cecchetti Method A school and style of ballet

originated by Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928) in Italy. Emphasizes seven basic movements in dance: Plier (to bend)

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center floor The second portion of the ballet class

comprised of the adagio

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chaînés “Linked like a chain”. A series of small turning steps with the feet in first position relevé. Weight is shifted rapidly from one to the other limb with each half turn. Performed continuously in rapid succession.

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changement “Changing the feet”. A vertical jump with a change of feet in the air (from fifth position front to fifth back).

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chassé “Chasing one foot with the other”. The leading foot slides forward into fourth (or side-ward into second)

then with a spring off the floor

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cou-de-pied A unilateral standing posture with the pointed gesture foot held in front of

back of

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coupé “To cut”. A small intermediary step

used as a link between steps

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croix

en “Cross”. Unilateral leg gesture carried out in three directions relative to the dancer’s front (en avant)

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en croix Unilateral leg gesture carried out in three directions relative to the dancer's front (en avant)

side (a la seconde)

dedans

en Inward. A circular movement of the gesture limb from the back to the front (as in ronde de jambe)

dégagé "To disengage". Sharp brushes of the pointed foot to develop speed and precision of the feet and legs.

dehors

en Outward. A circular movement of the gesture limb from front to back

demi Half. As in demi-plié.

derrière Behind.

devant In front.

dèveloppé A large

relatively slow leg gesture. The gesture limb begins from first or fifth position

elevé A rise upward onto the toes.

échappé "Escape". A two-part movement from fifth position out to second (or fourth)

and returning to fifth again

envelopé A unilateral leg movement in which the gesture limb begins in a knee extended position away from the body

and 'folds' back into the body. (The reverse of a dèveloppé).

épaulement Position of the shoulders in relation to the head and legs. Sets the head-neck

back

fifth position The legs are externally rotated

one foot is crossed in front of the other

first position The legs are externally rotated

and heels are together.

fondu "Melted". A slow demi-plié of the stance limb

bringing the gesture limb into cou-de-pied

fouetté A "whipping' en dehors turn

in relevé

fourth position The legs are externally rotated

one foot is crossed in front of the other

frappé Beginning from the cou-de-pied position

a rapid striking ricochet (off the floor) of the gesture foot

glissade "Slide or glide". A linking or preparatory step. The initiating leg slides out into dégagè

weight is transferred to it to allow the other leg to point and slide into fifth.

grand Large.

grand battement A large

swift leg "kick" with the knee extended and foot pointed. Performed to the front

grand ronde jambe en l'aire A unilateral

circumducted hip action where the gesturing limb describes a semi-circle in space at > 90° of hip flexion.

jeté A "throwing step" where a leaping jump is executed from one foot to the other.

l'aire In the air.

pas Step.

pas de basque A traveling step from fifth position plié

which includes one 1/2 ronde de jambe from front to side

pas de bourreé A basic linking step which permits a change from one fifth position to another.

pas de chat "Step of the cat". A jump beginning and ending in fifth position.

passé A transitional movement as the foot passes on its way to another position (such as dèveloppé).

penché Inclined. Usually arabesque penché

in which the torso and gesture limb are tilted forward from the hip.

petite Small

little.

petite batterie "Beats". During a sauté

one calf beats against the other.

piqué "Pricked". A step in which the body moves sharply onto the pointe or demi-pointe of the opposite foot.

piroutté "Whirl or spin". A controlled turn on one leg in relevé.

plié A bend of the knees while the torso is held upright.

pointe

en On pointe. Position of the foot in a pointe (or toe) shoe.

port-de-bras Carriage of the arms. The codified arm positions which provide strength and balance to the trunk.

port-de-corps Carriage of the body. Basically

port-de-bras action supplemented with flexion

promenade A slow pivot of the body while standing on one leg.

relevé A rise or spring onto the toes (demi- or full pointe) from plié.

retiré A static position in which the hip of the gesturing leg is externally rotated and abducted.

rèvèrence "Bow". Traditional port-de-bras and port-de-corps showing respect and gratitude.

ronde de jambe A unilateral leg action in which the gesture leg is circled from front to back of the dancer's body.

sauté A simple jump in the vertical direction.

seconde

la To the side (second position).

second position The legs are externally rotated and separated by the distance of one foot.

sissonne A jump from two feet onto one foot in various directions.

soussus Springing into fifth position relevé en pointe or demi-pointe from demi-plié.

soutenu From demi-plié on the stance leg and pointe tondu with the gesture leg.

tendu A "stretched" action of the gesturing limb from a stance position with flat foot to a pointed foot.

terre

a On the ground.

third position The legs are externally rotated

and one heel is placed in front of the other.

tour Turn of the body.

tour en l'aire "Turns in the air". Sauté which incorporates airborne rotations.

tour jeté A jeté which incorporates an angular rotation of the body and switching of the legs in mid-air.

tourant

en Turning.

Vaganova Method A school and style of ballet developed by Agrippina Vaganova in Russia.

cha-cha The most popular Latin dance composed of quick steps.

fox trot A dance to a 4/4 tempo.

polka Originated as an English folk dance

in a 2/4 tempo.

swing Evolved from the jazz era. There are three types: triple

double

waltz An elegant smooth dance in a 3/4 tempo

with accent on the first beat.

body roll

A rolling movement through the body.