20100813

five favorite ballet steps - .FIVE.

By Emily (my wonderful older sister!)

1. pas de chat, aka step of the cat.  this step is named for it's likeness to a cat's leap.  this step is fun for children to learn (plus they love the name and I always tell them to try to teach their cat to do it).  for advanced dancers this step can be large or small, at a medium tempo or very fast.  while this step seems simple, a perfect pas de chat is very challenging.  an italian pas de chat is a particularly enjoyable step.

2. sissonne assemble.  these two steps are my favorite way to start a grand allegro. i prefer an assemble battu.
3. saut de basque.  the turning step is an excellent part of an allegro.  a fun and quick step often combined with emboite.
4. waltz turn.  this fairly simple step, though quite tricky when learning, is lovely in ballets like sleeping beauty.  an indulging step that lets you really move freely.
5. pique tour en dedans, aka pique turn.  on a good turning day i love a simple combination of single and double pique turns.  

Related Posts:

  • five things i'm going to do this quarter!Five Things Friday! The quarter starts next Thursday... here are five of my plans: I'm taking statistics (this will be my 6th stats course!), a course on peer relationships in adolecence, and research credits to work on my … Read More
  • five albums I can't get enough of 1. Donde estan los ladrones? by Shakira I listened to this while grading all those papers a few weeks ago. My favorites are: Moscas En La Casa; Donde Estan Los Ladrones?; Inevitable; y Que Vuelvas 2. Fantasies and … Read More
  • five places in northern california! Five Things Friday! Here are five places in Northern California that I plan to check out by next June. Five excellent day trips ahead! Alameda! Monterey! Santa Rosa/Sonoma! Sacramento! Yes, I've already bee… Read More
  • Musicals - .FIVE.Five Things Friday! Five great moments in fantastic motion picture musicals... (Click on the pictures to watch the clips on YT) 1. Mein Herr from Caberet 2. Hard Knock Life from Annie 3. The Tapioca from Thoroughly M… Read More
  • Emily's Five Favorite Types of CandyFive Things Friday! All of these candies provide a very generous serving of high fructose corn syrup! 1.  Black Licorice Scottie Dogs 2.  Cinnamon Jelly Hearts 3.  Watermelon Sour Patch 4. &nb… Read More

5 remarks:

Natalie said...

I love this post, Em! It's my favorite on the blog. It was fun to look up the steps. Makes me miss ballet! I think my favorite of the five is the waltz turn. So simple but so beautiful and elegant. Thanks for sharing!!

Emily said...

Thanks for posting! It was fun to ponder! Taylor may want to do one too!

Emily said...

Ohh! I love the pictures!

Natalie said...

Sweet! Taylor should. Definitely should! Make sure to check out those links, too. ABT has a really cool online ballet dictionary!

Stephen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.