BALLET THEORY
Theoretical questions will be marked in the section entitled 'Responses and Knowledge of Syllabus'. Most of the terms used in ballet are French (a few are Italian). Candidates are expected to learn these terms and to be able to answer what each means. It is important for the candidates to understand that these explanations are not necessarily literal translations of the French terms but relate to what they mean when used in a Ballet class.
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Students will be asked theory from their grade and below.
GRADE 1
Dégagé Disengage or to release the foot from a closed position to an open position.
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Demi Half
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Plié Bend
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Battement Beat
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Tendu Stretch
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En Crois Shape of a Cross
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Grand Large
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Retiré Draw up
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Adage Slow Movement
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Coupé Cut / to cut the weight of the body from one foot to the other
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Chassé Slide
Fondu Melt /a bend on the supporting leg
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Glissade Glide
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Petit Small
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Jeté Throw
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Sauté Spring
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Echappé Escape
Posé Step / place
Temps Levé Hop
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Devant Front
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Derriére Back
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En Avant Travelling forwards
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Port de Bras Carriage of the arms
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French ballet theory game created by Mrs Rutter (Thank you) you don't need to create an account on the website.
https://wordwall.net/resource/61072856/physical-education/grade-1-ballet
GRADE 2
Assemblé Assemble / join together
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Soutenu Sustain / hold
En Dehors Outwards
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En Dedans Inwards
En Arriére Travelling Backwards
Relevé Rise / a snatching of the feet
Ports De Bras Carriage of the arms
Croisé Crossed
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Ouvert Open
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En Face Facing (the audience)
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Passé Pass
Enchainement Chain of steps / linking together of two or more steps
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Changement Change / A jump from third to third changing the feet.
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Soubresaut Simple jump without change of feet
French ballet theory game created by Mrs Rutter (Thank you) you don't need to create an account on the website,
Grade 2: https://wordwall.net/resource/69778891
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GRADE 3
Rond De Jambe Circle of the leg, the other in 4th opposite 1st à terre or en l'air
à Terre On the ground
Arabesque Represents the shape of a bow / a position on one leg, the other in 4th opposite 1st à terre or en l'air
De Côté Facing the side
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Demi-Detourné Half a turn towards the back foot
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Pas De Chat Step of a cat
Pas De Bourrée Small running steps / consisting of three movements (5th; 2nd; 5th)
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Pas De Basque A step from the Basque country representing the swirl of a skirt
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Sissonne A scissor movement from two feet onto one foot
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French ballet theory game created by Mrs Rutter (Thank you) you don't need to create an account on the website,
Grade 3: https://wordwall.net/resource/69779105
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GRADE 4
Developpé Unfold
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Frappé Strike / hit
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Pirouette Spin on one leg
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En L'air In the air
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Attitude A position on one leg, the other in 4th opposite 5th à terre or en l'air
GRADE 5
Sur-le cou-pied On the neck of the foot
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Épaulment Use of the shoulders with one shoulder forward the other back; the head over the front over the front shoulder; the turn coming from the upper back
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Ballonné Bounce
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Simple A simple balloné with the accent on the inward movement
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Composé A compound step with the accent on the outward movement followed by a step and close
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Demi Contretemps Temps levé in arabesque followed by a chasse passé en avant
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Battu. Beaten
GRADE 6
En cloche Bell-like preparation for Grand Allegro
Fouetté Whip
Ex. for Fouetté Preparation for Fouetté of Adage in the centre and Grand Allegro fouetté movements
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Battements sur le cou-de-pied Preparation for beaten work
Contretemps Against time/coupé under, chassé en avant, temps levé in arabesque, chassé passé en avant
Fermée Closed
KNOWLEDGE OF THE PURPOSE OF THE EXERCISES
1. What is the purpose of performing pliés at the beginning of a Ballet class?
Plies help to:
warm up all the muscles in the legs
strengthen the legs
establish turn-out
sustain the upright position of the body.
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2. What is the purpose of Grands Battements en cloche?
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The main purpose of grands battements is to loosen and strengthen the legs. Battement en cloche develops the fullest range of movement.
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3. What is the purpose of the Preparatory Exercise for Fouetté Rond de Jambe en Tournant?
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This exercise helps to establish coordination and balance ready for turning.
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4. What is the purpose of Battements sur le cou-de-pied?
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This exercise develops speed and control in the use of the lower leg, preparatory to beaten steps. It also helps the understanding of how some parts of the leg can move independently to the others.
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5. What is the purpose of Exercise for Fouetté of Adage?
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All adage movements help to develop the slow, smooth control of the legs and the strengthening of the back. The fouetté requires the ability to use the hinge-like movement of the torso and the hip joint as the working leg circles from side to back, and to centre the weight over the supporting leg.
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6. What is the purpose of the Demi Pointe enchainments on the barre?
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These strengthen feet and legs and prepare for pirouettes and pointe-work.