Ballet Terms For Beginners: A Simple Guide

Hey there, aspiring dancers! Ever felt lost in a ballet class because of all the fancy French terms? Don't worry, you're not alone! Ballet can seem intimidating at first, but once you understand the basic vocabulary, you'll feel much more confident and ready to plié your way to success. This guide breaks down some of the most common and essential ballet terms every beginner should know. Let's jump right in!

Essential Ballet Positions

Understanding the five fundamental positions is crucial for any ballet student. These positions serve as the foundation for almost every step and movement in ballet. Mastering them will improve your balance, coordination, and overall technique. So, let’s demystify these cornerstones of ballet!

First Position

In first position, your heels are together, and your feet are turned out, forming a straight line. Imagine you are standing on a clock, with one foot pointing to 2 o'clock and the other pointing to 10 o'clock. Keep your knees straight but not locked and your weight evenly distributed on both feet. Your arms are usually held in a rounded position in front of your body, creating a soft oval shape. Practicing first position helps develop turnout, which is the outward rotation of the legs from the hips. This position might feel unnatural initially, but with consistent practice, your body will gradually adapt. Focus on maintaining a tall posture, engaging your core, and keeping your shoulders relaxed.

Second Position

Second position is similar to first, but your feet are separated by about one foot's length. Maintain the same turnout as in first position, ensuring your knees are straight and your weight is evenly distributed. Your arms are typically extended to the sides, slightly rounded, and held at shoulder height. Second position requires good balance and control, as you need to maintain your turnout while keeping your feet apart. Strengthening your inner thighs and core muscles will help improve your stability in this position. Remember to keep your shoulders down and relaxed, and avoid leaning forward or backward. Visualize yourself as a strong, grounded tree, firmly rooted to the floor.

Third Position

Third position involves placing the heel of one foot against the instep of the other. The legs are still turned out, and the weight is evenly distributed. One arm is held rounded in front of the body, while the other is extended to the side. Third position is less commonly used in modern ballet training but remains an important position to understand historically. It requires a good degree of turnout and balance. Pay attention to keeping your hips aligned and avoiding any twisting of the torso. As you progress in your training, you'll find that third position serves as a transitional position between other more frequently used positions.

Fourth Position

Fourth position has two variations: croisé and effacé. In both variations, one foot is placed in front of the other, with a distance of about one foot's length between them. The legs are turned out, and the weight is evenly distributed. In croisé, the legs are crossed when viewed from the audience, while in effacé, the legs are open. One arm is held rounded in front of the body, and the other is extended to the side. Fourth position demands significant strength and control, as you need to maintain your turnout while balancing on one leg. Focus on keeping your core engaged and your hips aligned. This position is often used in preparation for turns and jumps, so mastering it is crucial for advancing your ballet technique.

Fifth Position

Fifth position is considered the most challenging of the five positions. In fifth position, one foot is placed directly in front of the other, with the heel of the front foot touching the big toe of the back foot. The legs are fully turned out, and the weight is evenly distributed. Both arms are held rounded above the head. Fifth position requires a high degree of turnout, balance, and coordination. It is essential to gradually develop your turnout over time to avoid injury. Focus on maintaining a tall posture, engaging your core, and keeping your shoulders relaxed. Fifth position is frequently used in ballet combinations and variations, so mastering it is a significant milestone in your ballet journey.

Basic Ballet Movements

Now that we've covered the fundamental positions, let's move on to some basic ballet movements. These movements are the building blocks of more complex steps and combinations, so it's important to understand and practice them diligently.

Plié

Plié, which means "to bend," is a bending of the knees. There are two main types of plié: demi-plié (half bend) and grand plié (full bend). In a demi-plié, you bend your knees as far as possible while keeping your heels on the ground. In a grand plié, you bend your knees fully, lifting your heels off the ground (except in second position). Pliés are essential for developing strength, flexibility, and coordination. They also help absorb shock during jumps and landings. Proper plié technique involves maintaining your turnout, keeping your back straight, and ensuring your knees track over your toes. Focus on using your inner thighs and glutes to control the movement and avoid collapsing inward. Pliés are performed in all five positions and are a fundamental part of every ballet class.

Tendu

Tendu, meaning "to stretch," is a movement where you extend one leg straight out from the supporting leg, keeping your toes on the ground. The working leg is stretched from the hip, knee, and ankle, creating a long, straight line. Tendus are typically performed to the front, side, and back. They help develop strength, flexibility, and control in the legs and feet. Proper tendu technique involves maintaining your turnout, keeping your hips aligned, and avoiding any sickling of the foot (rolling the ankle inward). Focus on lengthening your leg from the hip and pointing your toes as much as possible. Tendus are an essential preparation for more complex movements, such as dégagés and grand battements.

Dégagé

Dégagé, meaning "to disengage," is similar to a tendu, but the working leg is brushed off the floor, extending a few inches into the air. The leg is stretched from the hip, knee, and ankle, creating a long, straight line. Dégagés are typically performed to the front, side, and back. They help develop speed, precision, and coordination in the legs and feet. Proper dégagé technique involves maintaining your turnout, keeping your hips aligned, and brushing your foot off the floor with energy and control. Focus on lengthening your leg from the hip and pointing your toes as much as possible. Dégagés are an important preparation for jumps and help develop the necessary strength and control for more advanced movements.

Rond de Jambe

Rond de jambe, meaning "round of the leg," is a circular movement of the leg. There are two main types of rond de jambe: à terre (on the ground) and en l'air (in the air). In a rond de jambe à terre, the working leg traces a half-circle on the floor, starting from the front, moving to the side, and then to the back, or vice versa. In a rond de jambe en l'air, the working leg traces a half-circle in the air, maintaining a turned-out position. Ronds de jambe help develop turnout, flexibility, and control in the hip joint. Proper rond de jambe technique involves maintaining your turnout, keeping your hips aligned, and ensuring your leg moves smoothly and continuously. Focus on using your inner thighs and glutes to control the movement and avoid any jerky or uneven motions. Ronds de jambe are an essential exercise for improving your overall ballet technique.

Grand Battement

Grand battement, meaning "large beating," is a high kick where the working leg is thrown high into the air, maintaining a straight leg and pointed toes. Grand battements are typically performed to the front, side, and back. They help develop strength, flexibility, and power in the legs and hips. Proper grand battement technique involves maintaining your turnout, keeping your hips aligned, and throwing your leg up with energy and control. Focus on lengthening your leg from the hip and pointing your toes as much as possible. Grand battements are an excellent exercise for improving your extension and developing the necessary strength and flexibility for more advanced jumps and leaps.

Other Important Ballet Terms

Besides positions and movements, there are a few other ballet terms that you'll frequently encounter in class.

Port de Bras

Port de bras refers to the carriage of the arms. It involves a series of graceful and coordinated movements of the arms, which enhance the expressiveness and fluidity of the dance. Proper port de bras technique involves maintaining soft, rounded arms, moving from the shoulder, and coordinating your arm movements with your head and body. Focus on creating smooth, continuous lines and avoiding any jerky or abrupt motions. Port de bras is an essential aspect of ballet technique and helps develop your overall artistry and musicality.

Relevé

Relevé means "raised." It involves rising onto the balls of your feet, maintaining your turnout and balance. Relevés can be performed in all five positions and are an excellent exercise for strengthening your ankles and feet. Proper relevé technique involves maintaining your turnout, keeping your back straight, and rising smoothly and evenly onto the balls of your feet. Focus on engaging your core and avoiding any sickling of the foot. Relevés are an important preparation for jumps and help develop the necessary strength and control for more advanced movements.

Pirouette

Pirouette means "to whirl" or "to spin." It is a turn performed on one leg, with the other leg typically held in retiré (toe touching the knee of the supporting leg). Pirouettes require excellent balance, coordination, and control. Proper pirouette technique involves spotting (focusing on a fixed point to maintain balance), maintaining your turnout, and using your arms to generate momentum. Focus on engaging your core and keeping your body aligned. Pirouettes are a challenging but rewarding movement that requires consistent practice and attention to detail.

Chassé

Chassé means "to chase." It is a gliding step where one foot chases the other, creating a smooth and flowing movement. Chassés are often used as a transitional step between other movements and can be performed to the front, side, and back. Proper chassé technique involves maintaining your turnout, keeping your back straight, and gliding smoothly across the floor. Focus on engaging your core and coordinating your arm movements with your legs. Chassés are an essential step for developing fluidity and grace in your dancing.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – a beginner's guide to essential ballet terms! Understanding these terms is the first step towards mastering the art of ballet. Don't be afraid to ask your teacher for clarification if you're unsure about anything. And remember, practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you'll become with these terms and movements. Keep plié-ing, keep tendu-ing, and most importantly, keep enjoying the beautiful world of ballet! You've got this, guys!