Ballet is a beautiful and highly technical form of dance, with its terminology deeply rooted in the French language. For anyone learning ballet, understanding these terms is essential, not just for mastering the movements but also for appreciating the art form’s history and nuance. This article will guide you through some of the most fundamental and frequently used French ballet terminology, providing definitions and context to help you integrate these terms into your ballet practice.

Basic Positions and Movements

The foundation of ballet lies in its positions and movements. These are the building blocks upon which more complex sequences are constructed. Learning these basic terms is crucial for any ballet student.

Positions of the Feet

1. **Première position (First Position)**: In this position, the heels are together, and the toes point outward, forming a straight line.
2. **Seconde position (Second Position)**: The feet are placed wider than hip-width apart, with the toes still pointing outward.
3. **Troisième position (Third Position)**: One foot is placed in front of the other, with the heel of the front foot touching the arch of the back foot.
4. **Quatrième position (Fourth Position)**: The feet are similar to the third position, but there is a space of about one foot length between them.
5. **Cinquième position (Fifth Position)**: The feet are turned out and pressed tightly together, with the heel of one foot touching the toes of the other.

Basic Movements

1. **Plié**: This means “bent” and refers to the bending of the knees. There are two types: **demi-plié** (half bend) and **grand plié** (full bend).
2. **Tendu**: Meaning “stretched,” this movement involves sliding the foot along the floor to a pointed position without lifting the toe.
3. **Dégagé**: This means “disengaged” and involves lifting the foot slightly off the floor after a tendu.
4. **Rond de jambe**: Meaning “round of the leg,” this movement involves tracing a semi-circle with the working leg, either on the ground (**à terre**) or in the air (**en l’air**).
5. **Frappé**: This means “struck” and involves striking the floor with the foot.
6. **Relevé**: Meaning “raised,” this involves rising onto the balls of the feet.
7. **Sauté**: This means “jumped” and refers to any jump from two feet to two feet.

Arm Positions and Movements

The arms, like the feet, have specific positions and movements that are crucial in ballet. They help with balance, coordination, and the overall aesthetic of the dance.

Positions of the Arms

1. **Première position (First Position)**: The arms form a rounded shape in front of the body, with the fingertips almost touching.
2. **Seconde position (Second Position)**: The arms are extended to the sides, slightly rounded, and held slightly below shoulder level.
3. **Troisième position (Third Position)**: One arm is in first position, while the other is in second position.
4. **Quatrième position (Fourth Position)**: One arm is in first position, and the other is raised above the head in a rounded shape.
5. **Cinquième position (Fifth Position)**: Both arms are raised above the head in a rounded shape.

Basic Arm Movements

1. **Port de bras**: Meaning “carriage of the arms,” this term refers to the movement of the arms through various positions.
2. **En bas**: This means “low” and refers to the position of the arms when they are held low, near the hips.
3. **En haut**: This means “high” and refers to the position of the arms when they are held high, above the head.
4. **À la seconde**: This means “to the second” and refers to the position of the arms when they are extended to the sides.

Turns and Jumps

Ballet is known for its intricate turns and graceful jumps. These movements require a lot of practice and precision.

Turns

1. **Pirouette**: This means “whirl” or “spin” and involves turning on one leg, typically with the other leg in **passé** (where the toe of the working leg touches the knee of the supporting leg).
2. **Chaînés**: Meaning “chains” or “links,” this term refers to a series of rapid, small turns done in a straight line or circle.
3. **Piqué**: Meaning “pricked,” this turn involves stepping directly onto the ball of the foot with a straight leg.
4. **Fouetté**: This means “whipped” and refers to a whipping motion of the leg to help with turning.

Jumps

1. **Jeté**: Meaning “thrown,” this jump involves throwing one leg into the air while pushing off the ground with the other.
2. **Assemblé**: This means “assembled” and involves bringing the feet together in the air before landing.
3. **Sissonne**: This jump is named after its inventor and involves jumping from two feet and splitting the legs like scissors before landing on one foot.
4. **Pas de chat**: Meaning “step of the cat,” this jump involves bringing the knees up one after the other in a cat-like motion.
5. **Entrechat**: Meaning “interweaving,” this jump involves beating the legs together in the air.

Adagio and Allegro

In ballet, movements are often categorized into two main types: **Adagio** and **Allegro**. These terms help dancers understand the tempo and style of the choreography.

Adagio

Adagio movements are slow and fluid, focusing on control, balance, and grace. These movements are often performed with great expression and require a high level of strength and flexibility.

1. **Développé**: Meaning “developed,” this movement involves slowly lifting the leg to a high position, unfolding it in the air.
2. **Arabesque**: This position involves standing on one leg while extending the other leg straight behind the body.
3. **Attitude**: Similar to arabesque, but the extended leg is bent at the knee.

Allegro

Allegro movements are fast and lively, focusing on jumps, turns, and quick footwork. These movements require agility, precision, and a good sense of rhythm.

1. **Petit allegro**: This refers to smaller, quicker jumps and movements.
2. **Grand allegro**: This refers to larger, more expansive jumps and movements.

Other Essential Terms

Beyond the basic positions and movements, there are other essential terms that every ballet dancer should know.

1. **Échappé**: Meaning “escaped,” this movement involves jumping from a closed position to an open position.
2. **Glissade**: Meaning “glide,” this movement involves sliding one foot along the floor to the side, followed by the other foot.
3. **Pas de bourrée**: This term refers to a series of small, quick steps.
4. **Balancé**: Meaning “balanced,” this movement involves shifting weight from one foot to the other in a rocking motion.
5. **Chassé**: Meaning “chased,” this movement involves sliding one foot forward, followed by the other foot, as if chasing it.
6. **Coupé**: Meaning “cut,” this movement involves cutting the foot under the ankle of the supporting leg.

Understanding Ballet Class Structure

A typical ballet class follows a structured format, with each section focusing on different aspects of technique and performance. Understanding this structure can help you follow along more easily and get the most out of your practice.

Barre Work

The class usually begins with **barre** exercises, which are performed while holding onto a barre for support. These exercises focus on building strength, flexibility, and proper alignment.

1. **Pliés**: As mentioned earlier, these involve bending the knees.
2. **Tendus**: These involve stretching the foot along the floor.
3. **Dégagés**: These involve lifting the foot slightly off the floor.
4. **Rond de jambes**: These involve tracing a semi-circle with the working leg.
5. **Frappés**: These involve striking the floor with the foot.
6. **Relevés**: These involve rising onto the balls of the feet.

Center Work

After barre exercises, the class moves to **center** work, which is performed in the middle of the room without the support of the barre. These exercises focus on balance, coordination, and transitioning between movements.

1. **Port de bras**: This involves moving the arms through various positions.
2. **Adagio**: This involves slow, controlled movements.
3. **Pirouettes**: These involve turning on one leg.
4. **Petit allegro**: This involves small, quick jumps and movements.
5. **Grand allegro**: This involves larger, more expansive jumps and movements.

Across the Floor

The class often concludes with **across the floor** exercises, which involve traveling movements that cover more space.

1. **Chassés**: These involve sliding one foot forward, followed by the other.
2. **Glissades**: These involve sliding one foot along the floor to the side, followed by the other.
3. **Jetés**: These involve throwing one leg into the air while pushing off the ground with the other.
4. **Sautés**: These involve jumping from two feet to two feet.

Tips for Learning Ballet Terminology

Learning ballet terminology can be challenging, especially if you are not a native French speaker. Here are some tips to help you master these terms:

1. **Practice Regularly**: Like any language, regular practice is key to learning ballet terminology. Try to incorporate these terms into your daily practice.
2. **Use Flashcards**: Create flashcards with the French term on one side and the English translation on the other. This can help you memorize the terms more effectively.
3. **Watch Ballet Performances**: Watching professional ballet performances can help you see how these terms are applied in practice. Pay attention to the movements and try to identify the terms you have learned.
4. **Take Notes**: During your ballet classes, take notes on the terms and movements you are learning. Review these notes regularly to reinforce your understanding.
5. **Ask Questions**: Don’t be afraid to ask your instructor for clarification if you are unsure about a term or movement. They can provide valuable insights and help you improve your technique.

Conclusion

Understanding French ballet terminology is essential for anyone learning ballet. These terms provide a common language that dancers and instructors use to communicate and understand the art form. By mastering these terms, you can improve your technique, enhance your performance, and deepen your appreciation for the beauty and complexity of ballet. So, take the time to learn and practice these terms, and you will find yourself more confident and skilled in your ballet journey.