The Glossary of ballet terms reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Glossary of ballet terms

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A significant part of ballet terminology is in French language.

Unless there is much to say about a specific term, there is no reason to put each and every of them into a separate article.

Table of contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Abbreviations

Arabesque

(Literally: in Arabic fashion) A pose in which the dancer is standing on one leg, the other leg (with the knee straight) is extended behind the body, one hand is usually in front of the body. The back leg may either touch the floor or be elevated by an appropriate angle. See also: Attitude.

Attitude

A pose in which the dancer is standing on one leg, the other leg is raised behind, to side or in front of the body with the knee bent. See also: Arabesque.

B

C

Chassé

Chaînés

This is a common abbreviation for "tours chaînés déboulés", which is a series of quick turns on alternating feet with progression along a straight line or circle. In classical ballet it is done on the points or demi-pointes (on the balls of the feet).

E

Epaulement

Rotation of the shoulders and head relative to the hips in a pose or a step.



F


First position


Fourth position


Fifth position


P


Pas

Literally, movement. A pas de une is a dance for one, a pas de deux is a dance for two.


Positions of feet


R


Rond de jambe

(Literally: circle of the leg). 

Rond de jambe a tierre is rond de jambe on the ground. The moving leg describes a semicircle on the floor, either from front to back (rond de jambe en dehors) or from back to front (rond de jambe en dedans), between the fourth positions front and back. 

Rond de jambe en l'air is rond de jambe in the air. It can also be en dedans and en dehors. The movement is only below the knee of the working leg. It can be done in two positions of the working thigh: at 90º and at 45º.  If he thigh of the working leg is horizontal, the toe of the working leg draws an oval approximately between the knee of the support leg and the second position in the air. If the thigh of the working leg is semi-elevated (demi-position), then the working oval is to the calf of the support knee.

Grand rond de jambe is executed with the supporting leg in plié.

Demi grand rond de jambe is executed with the supporting leg in demiplié.


S


Second position


T


Third position


Z


See also


References


External link