Dance 1 Ballet Vocabulary

Chaîné Turn

• to rock or sway; 3 steps similar to step-ball-change

• chained/ linked; a two step turn in relevé where the body rotates 180 degrees with each step

• small bend; bend the knees where heels do not come off ground

• to whirl; a turn, performed in relevé with the leg in passé

Grand

• a horizontal bar at waist level on which ballet dancers rest a hand for support during exercises

• small

• big bend; big bend of the knees where heels come slightly off the ground (except 2nd position)

• large

Demi Plié

• to disengage; an extension of a tendu where the foot comes off the floor

• small bend; bend of the knees where heels do not come off ground

• in a cross; forward, side, back, side pattern - can also be done from the back

• big bend; big bend of the knees where heels come slightly off the ground (except 2nd position)

dégagé

• to disengage; an extension of a tendu where the foot comes off the floor

• to rock or sway; 3 steps similar to step-ball-change

• in across; forward, side, back, side pattern - can also be done from the back

• to stretch; the working foot starts from a closed position and is stretched along the floor to a full point and returned to its original position

Barre

• a horizontal bar at waist level on which ballet dancers rest a hand for support during exercises

• to pass; a passing of the foot at the opposite knee while the toe is pointed

• chained/linked; a two step turn in relevé where the body rotates 180 degrees with each step

• to beat; a brush kick

Balancé

• step of little steps; step back, side, front

• big bend; big bend of the knees where heels come slightly off the ground (except 2nd position)

• in a cross; forward, side, back, side pattern-can also be done from the back

• to rock or sway; 3 steps similar to step-ball-change

En croix

• in a cross; forward, side, back, side pattern-can also be done from the back

• to pass; a passing of the foot at the opposite knee while the toe is pointed

• circle of the leg; working leg executes a semi-circle on the floor with straight knees

• small throw; a small side leap landing on one foot with opposite foot coming to coupe

Battement

• step of little steps; step back, side, front

• to beat; a brush kick

• to whirl; a turn, performed in relevé with the leg in passé

• to pass; a passing of the foot at the opposite knee while the toe is pointed

Relevé

• to whirl; a turn, performed in relevé with the leg in passé

• step of little steps; step back, side, front

• to revere; a curtsey or bow

• to rise; rising to the ball of the foot

Petit Jeté

• small throw; a small side leap landing on one foot with opposite foot coming to coupe

• to pass; a passing of the foot at the opposite knee while the toe is pointed

• circle of the leg; working leg executes a semi-circle on the floor with straight knees