Ballet Terms
What do demi and grand mean in Ballet?
Small and Large
Position in which the legs are in parallel, the back is kept flat, parallel to the floor, with the torso hinged at the hips.
Flat Back
Fingers are spread.
Jazz Hands
Power, ―standing one’s ground,‖ immovable, etc.
Strong
The large bones, almost like a bowl that form the hip area. The bones and muscles of the legs insert into the pelvis. The pelvis is the primary support for the weight of the upper body before it passes into the legs.
Pelvis
A practice of keeping your eyes focused as long as possible on a single point while turning to prevent becoming dizzy.
Spotting
Tightening the abdominals, tucking the pelvis, and forming a “C” with the torso so that the shoulders are over the pelvis. [Graham technique].
a Contraction
Shoulder shaking: alternating in a rapid motion.
Shimmy
Can described the dynamics, qualitative use of energy, texture, color, emotions, inner attitude, etc.
Effort
a traveling step in which one foot leads and the other closes to it. It usually begins by bending the knees and stepping out, an undercurve. It that can go either forward or sideways. It can be done on the floor or launched into the air between the each foot.
Chasse
pas de chat means step of the
Step of the cat
A side stretch of the torso, with legs in 2nd position.
lateral
A high straight leg kick in which the gesture leg makes a swooping circular arc across the front of the body is
A fan kick
Perceivable units of movement which are in some sense meaningful. They begin and end while containing a through line.
Phrase
A turning or twisting movement of the torso initiated from the central axis of the spine with or without moving the legs. When the legs are involved the body often moves in a turning pattern.
Spiral
Rotating both legs outwards from the hips
Turnout
Coccyx balance where Balance on the coccyx, both knees bent with lower legs parallel to ceiling and feet pointed, torso may tilt slightly backward, arms are parallel with lower legs, is found in whose technique
Lester Horton
A forward-moving strut meant to convey a cool image, and to give the dancer a sultry and slinky gait when in motion.
Jazz Walk
Flowing Movement performed without accent.
Sustained
The use of weight, space, flow and time to create different energetic statements. Relates to accent.
Dynamics
When the music and movement is slow its called...
An Adagio
What is one of Lester Hortons most none movements?
Lateral T
Turns straight, straight legs and hold the arms like the skaters
Pencil Turn
A factor about intuition, decision making, related to the moment, now vs. not now, knowing the right moment to act, reinvesting in the moment.
Time
The long, sideways pole that helps dancers develop balance and gives support as dancers develop their technique.
Barre