BALLET AND MODERN NOTES

The seven (7) ways to move:

1 . Stretch - ETENDRE

2 . Bend - PLIER

3 . Rise - ELEVER

4. Jump - SAUTER

5 . Glide - GLISSER

6 . Dart - ELANCER

7 . Turn - TOURNER

air, en l' [ahn lehr] -

In the air.

Indicates: (1) that a movement is to be made in the air;

terre, à [ah-tehr] -

On the ground, or on the earth.

Indicates: the working foot or leg remains in contact with the floor throughout the movement.

croix, en

In the shape of a cross.

Indicates that an exercise is to be executed to the fourth position front, to the second position and to the fourth position back, or vice versa.

face, de

In front, full face.

A position or step executed facing the audience.

face, en

Opposite (the audience); facing the audience.

côté, de

Sideways.

Used to indicate that a step is to be made to the side

seconde, à la

To the second.

A term to imply that the foot is to be placed in the second position,

seconde, en

In second.

Towards or in the second position.

demi-plié

Half-bend of the knees.

relevé

Lifted or raised.

battement tendu

Battement (beating) stretched or pulled

chaîné

Chains, links.

This is an abbreviation of the term "tours chaînés déboulés": a series of rapid turns on the points

sauté, sautée

Jumped, jumping.

retiré

Withdrawn.

A position in which the thigh is raised to the second position en l'air with the knee bent so that the pointed toe rests in front of, behind or to the side of the supporting knee. ( or passe)

pirouette

to whirl about, or spin, rapid turn.

A complete turn of the body on one foot, on point or demi-pointe.

jeté, grand

Large jeté/split leap.

The working leg should brush straight.

contraction

Tightening the abdominals, tucking the pelvis, and forming a "C" with the torso so that the shoulders are over the pelvis. [Graham technique and others].

flat back

Position in which the legs are in parallel, the back is kept flat, parallel to the floor, with the torso hinged at the hips. [Horton technique and others].

forced arch

Weight bearing position of the foot in which the heel is lifted and the knee is bent with extreme metatarsal dorsiflexion.