Adagio
slow, enfolding movements, performed with the greatest amount of fluidity and grace as possible. In a classical ballet class, the Adagio portion of the lesson concentrates on slow movements to improve the dancer's ability to control the leg and increase extension (i.e., to bring the leg into high positions with control and ease). Adagio combinations typically occur in the centre following exercises at the barre, and consist of the principal steps, plie, developpe, attitude, arabesque, and grande rond de jambe, to name a few. In ballet, the word adagio does not refer to the music accompanying the dance but rather the type of balletic movement being performed.This is my favorite time...not because of the exhausting use of muscles so much as the fact that all the movements are broken down and done slowly and I have time to think about it and do it without feeling rushed. It is a little harder on the body because moving in slow motion is HARD! but it is beautiful and graceful.
Arabesque
Tthe position of the body supported on one leg, with the other leg extended behind the body with the knee straight. The standing leg may be either bent in plie or straight. Arabesque is used in both allegro and adagio choreography and generally concludes a phrase of steps.This is one of those ones where you think and feel you look like this:
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but really look like this: (wobble, wobble)
It's much easier said than done when you haven't quite found that balance yet. I do like it though.
Attitude
basically like an arobesque, but that lifted leg is bent...in some ways it is easier, in some ways not, depending on if you're attituding front, side or back. ;)Battement
A beating movement of the working leg (i.e. the leg that is active). Battements are usually executed in front (en avant or à la quatrieme devant), to the side (à la seconde) or back (en arrière or à la quatrieme derrière).I stubbed my toe doing this one wrong...you have to be careful not to beat the wrong part of your foot!
basically you beat your foot on the floor in a swooshing motion, to the front, to the side and to the back...not sure how else to explain it...keep your toes pointed when you extend your leg...I dunnno..it's supposed to strengthen your toes and feet.
Chaînés
A series of quick turns on alternating feet with progression, or chain, along a straight line or circle. The turns are done with the feet in a small, tight first position releve. "Spotting" of the head is used to avoid dizziness in this and all turning exercises in ballet. In classical ballet it is done on the pointes or demi-pointes (on the balls of the feet).This one is the one where you realize as you get older and after having kids, no matter how much spotting you do, you are going to get dizzy and spin into the mirror (like I did) if you are not careful!!
Elevé
Literally "rise". A relevé without the plié, so that the dancer simply rises directly to demi or pointe from flat feet and straight legs all the way to the balls of the feet.I'm pretty sure our instructor throws this in there to see me squirm and wobble. Actually it is kind of neat to find my balance and rise from that to my toes...everything looks nicer on your tippy toes...even if you are a little wobbly.
What I WISH I looked like:
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| blackhearts-selina.blogspot.com |
But this will have to do:
Fondu
Literally "to melt". Abbreviation for a battement fondu. A term used to describe a lowering of the body which is made by bending the knee of the supporting leg. Saint-Leon wrote, "Fondu is on one leg what a plie is on two."I just wish it ended with more chocolate or cheese. haha.
Grand plié
A full plié, or bending of the knees. The back should be straight and aligned with the heels, and the legs are turned out with knees over the feet. As a movement, it should be fluid. It may also be in preparation for another movement such as a leap. Often done in first, second, third, fourth, or fifth position.a Demi Plie is going half way, instead of all the way...we do more demi than grand.
Again...You think you look like this:
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| old.bpsd.org |
But really...
*sigh* it's so sad isn't it? I mean really! Am I Grand Plie-ing or squatting to pick something up? or worse! Squatting to POOP! oy.
Pas de bourrée
It consists of three quick steps i.e. behind, side, front, often ending in a demi plié.I am pretty sure this is what was tangling up my feet the first day of class, I'm not 100% sure though.
Passé
Meaning 'to pass'.As a position passé means when a foot is placed near, on, or below the other knee.
As a movement passé refers to the working foot passing close to the knee of the standing leg. When the foot arrives by the knee, it passes from the front to the back or back to front, and continues either to return to the floor by sliding down the supporting leg or into an arabesque or attitude etc.
What I think I look like:
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| sarah--says.blogspot.com |
the goal anyway,
What's really going on there:
I wanted to do it eleve but this particular day, for whatever reason, I had absolutely NO balance! It was awful..I totally ate it at one point doing a pirouette!
Pirouette
Literally means to "whirl"; A controlled turn on one leg, starting with one or both legs in plié and rising onto demi-pointe (usually for men) or pointe (usually for women). The non-supporting leg can be held in retiré position, or in attitude, arabesque level or second position. The pirouette may return to the starting position or finish in arabesque or attitude positions, or proceed otherwise.Well, This week was the first time we tried this.
In class, I tried and tried and tried, but only managed to do maybe half of one. I was so frustrated with myself. I would bring up the wrong leg, turn the wrong way, or just throw myself into a spin that made me topple over. At the end of class, Tanya did help me a little with some pointers. I did it mostly successfully both to the left and the right. I did not end gracefully, more like toddling, noodle legged mess, but at one point...I was up, on my toe, hands positioned, balanced and did a full turn, in the right direction with the right leg bent.
I succcessfully did it again...at home..the next day..with no one but the dog and three little kids as a witness. Again, I did not end gracefully, but I think it had more to do with the baby that snuck up under my lifted leg and a dog that barked at me in amusement.
this is just a matter of practice practice practice.
Rond de jambe
Literally "circle of the leg". Actually, half-circles made by the pointed foot, returning through first position to repeat; creating the letter 'D' on the floor. From front to back rond de jambe en dehors, or from back to front rond de jambe en dedans.Tanya LOVES these. I see her doing them all the time. now that I know what they are and have done them too, I also like them. Such a nice fun way to stretch your legs.
Tendu
Literally, "stretched"; a common abbreviation for battement tendu. Usually done as an exercise at the barre from first or fifth position, the working leg is extended to either the front, side or back, gradually along the floor until only the tip of the toe remains touching the floor (tendu a terre) or even further stretched so that the tip of the toe comes up off the floor a few inches (en l'air). A tendu can also be used in preparation for other more complex steps, such as pirouettes, or leaps.I don't know why, but this is a favorite. I like doing our Tendu exercises.
Here's what it looks like...
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| pliestopirouettes.blogspot.com |
WELP! That about sums up what we've done so far. I like having these definitions here to reference. And now they are here for you too! Maybe I won't be so lost in the next few sessions! I am hoping to use THIS terminology from here on out in my updates, and not "hop-twist-turn-thing". I hope to add pictures in a couple of weeks to keep track of improvement and hopefully there will be enough to see! I would say, over all, that it's not "bad" considering I've never done any of this before!
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