“It doesn’t matter how high you lift your leg. The technique is about transparency, simplicity, making an earnest attempt.”
-Mikhail Baryshnikov
-Mikhail Baryshnikov
Introduction
The focus of our grand allegro work has been on “temps levé arabesque” and “chassé.” These two steps make up a big portion of the grand allegro repertoire in ballet, so it is important to master them. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
· Hit the appropriate pose in the air
· Use your plié to JUMP
· Point your feet and stretch your knees
· Use clean transitions between each step
Focusing on these details will make your jumps (big and small) clean and beautiful!
· Hit the appropriate pose in the air
· Use your plié to JUMP
· Point your feet and stretch your knees
· Use clean transitions between each step
Focusing on these details will make your jumps (big and small) clean and beautiful!
Chassé
“Chassé” means “chased” in French. The name comes from the fact that in the step, the back leg literally chases the front leg, until it catches up. Chassé consists of three parts: 1) plié and “slide,” 2) the jump to sous sus, and 3) landing in plié.
Part 1
Starting in fifth position, take a deep plié and slide the front leg along the floor, passing through fourth position. This is your preparation to get into the air, so be sure to take a deep plié and push through the floor with your feet.
Part 2
After sliding, move into the jump and find sous sus in the air. Be sure to point your feet, just like you would in changement.
Part 3
Land in plié from your jump, and use that plié to start another chasse or the next jump. Visualize creating a circular motion with your chassé (start going down, up in front of your nose, and back into the floor).
Part 1
Starting in fifth position, take a deep plié and slide the front leg along the floor, passing through fourth position. This is your preparation to get into the air, so be sure to take a deep plié and push through the floor with your feet.
Part 2
After sliding, move into the jump and find sous sus in the air. Be sure to point your feet, just like you would in changement.
Part 3
Land in plié from your jump, and use that plié to start another chasse or the next jump. Visualize creating a circular motion with your chassé (start going down, up in front of your nose, and back into the floor).
Temps Levé Arabesque
The key to any temps levé is remembering that the jump starts from one leg and lands on that same leg. For templs levé in arabesque, step onto the supporting leg, jump into first arabesque (the front arm is the same as the supporting leg) and kick the back leg up. Land onto the same leg, while you bring the back leg through first position to transition into chassé to the other side. See the diagram below for a visual aid.
Important Links
Video Links
Arabesque Stretch
Hip Opener Stretch
How to Improve Arabesque
Article Links
Arabesque Advice
Just For Fun Links
Ballet Piece Set to "Take Me to Church"
Teaching Passion (About One of my Old Teachers)
Arabesque Stretch
Hip Opener Stretch
How to Improve Arabesque
Article Links
Arabesque Advice
Just For Fun Links
Ballet Piece Set to "Take Me to Church"
Teaching Passion (About One of my Old Teachers)