A ballet glossary is a useful reference for dancers, especially those new to the art form. Hundreds of terms, definitions, and details are part of ballet vocabulary, and it can be hard to keep track of them all. With practice and patience, however, you will become more adept at the terminology.
The first step in learning the terminology for ballet is to learn the terms that describe the movement. Essentially, ballet is an art form where the dancer bends their knees. For example, a plie is a knee bend. A demi-plie is a half-bending of the knee. It is important that the bending movement be gradual and smooth. Another important ballet term is the tendu, which refers to the working leg being extended to the front of the body.
Another important ballet term is pirouette, which is a turn performed on one foot. A passe, on the other hand, is a movement in which the working leg lifts and passes along the supporting leg by the knee. Ballet class progression builds strength and flexibility. The first part of the class, Ballet Beautiful, teaches the dancer how to balance on two different feet and alternating between the legs.
The word adagio refers to a type of ballet movement, but not the type of music. For example, the grand adage in Swan Lake is an adagio. Similarly, the term “coupe jete maneges” refers to a step done by male dancers. These steps often look like they are swimming in the air.
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