Learning ballet terms can make you a better dancer, and it can also help you teach others. The most common term in ballet is “barre,” which refers to a horizontal bar that can be attached to the wall or be free-standing and provides additional support to dancers. In addition, a barre class is a great way to get in shape before taking a ballet class, and it will give you a good understanding of the terminology.
Some common ballet terms include: en cloche and en cote. The former describes the placement of the working foot, which is between the calf and the ankle. The latter is the term for the end of a ballet, and it is used in classical pas de deux combinations. It involves a series of elegant exercises during centre practice and emphasizes line, balance, and fluidity. The latter two terms are associated with steps in the air. For example, “tour en l’air” describes a high-turned jump.
French dancers use the term echappe to indicate the direction of a step. For example, an echappe is a step where the feet open. An en croix means “outward”. A pirouette en croix is an inward turn. Some of the other ballet terms include en croix, which indicates an upward movement of the legs. Some words have translations in English and French.
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