INDEPTH: BALLET
Terminology
CBC News Online | September 7, 2004
TERMINOLOGY
adagio - slow-tempo ballet class steps to develop or demonstrate balance and control
allegro - brisk ballet class steps to develop or demonstrate speed and exactness
arabesque - ballet movement in which one leg is stretched straight out to the back and one arm usually stretched out to the front
ballet - a classic, theatrical dance in which a formal academic technique and codified steps are usually combined with music, costume and scenery; also an individual dance work employing the form
ballet d'action - a dramatic ballet that tells a story through dance steps or movements
ballet de cour - early form of ballet evolved from early court entertainments where nobles would dance for a royal audience
barre - a wooden rod, attached to a wall at about waist height, used by ballet dancers for balance or support while performing exercises or warming up
corps de ballet - the ensemble dancers of a ballet troupe
five positions (of the feet) - basic ballet stances in which the dancers' feet are:
- In line, heels together, toes pointed out in opposite directions.
- In line, heels separated by a foot-length, toes out.
- Touching, one in front of the other and overlapping by half a foot-length, toes out.
- Separated by a foot-length, one foot in front of the other (either heel-to-toe or heels in line), toes out.
- Touching, one foot in front of the other, heel-to-toe and vice versa.
jeté - ballet jump from one foot to another; a grand jeté is a long horizontal jump (sometimes employed with a split whilst in air) while a petit jeté is more of a small jump.
pas - a step; a pas de deux is "a dance for two"
pirouette - a complete turn on one leg; dancers usually go around more than once
plié - a ballet movement bending both knees with the legs turned out
plier - to bend; one of the seven basic categories of balletic movements, joined by étendre (to stretch), relever (to rise), sauter (to leap), élancer (to dart), glisser (to glide) and tourner (to turn)
prima ballerina - a leading female ballet dancer; sometimes considered the most important female dancer in the company
sur les pointes or pointe - the ballet position in which the body is balanced on the extreme tip of the toes; the tips of pointe shoes are strengthened with layers of cloth and glue to support dancers' feet
turnout - ballet stance in which the legs are rotated outward so that the knees and toes point out in opposite directions, ideally with both feet in a straight line; position must begin at the hip and aims to rotate the thighbone; maximum turnout permits greater extension and freedom of movement, aids spinning, gives a firm base for jumps and creates a pleasing line to the body
tutu - a now-standard short, projecting ballet skirt that developed in the 19th century as ballerinas called for unfettered costumes to show off their increasingly technical and difficult movements
IDEAL TRAITS FOR BALLET DANCERS
- Long arms, legs and neck on a comparatively short and slim torso.
- Flexibility.
- Strength.
- Sense of rhythm and musicality.
- Good spatial recognition.
- Good expressiveness and acting ability.
- Love of and dedication to ballet.
BALLET TRAINING
- Best begun between eight and 10 years old.
- By age 12, a serious student planning on a professional dancing career will attend three to six lessons a week.
- Girls should not be taught to dance sur les pointes until their feet and legs are strong enough after a few years of training.
- Most dancers become professionals before the age of 20 and retire by 45.
- Though they may be professionals, dancers must continue daily ballet classes in addition to the hours of practice before performances.
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