Ballet Terms and Methods

There are a few different Ballet terms and methods that originates from various countries. We start off with the introduction of the different Ballet methods. To view the whole list of Ballet terms, you may refer to it below.

Since its beginning in the courts of Renaissance Italy, ballet has been developed by many practitioners, masters and schools. One of the earliest established training systems of ballet was founded by the August Bournonville, a Danish ballet master and choreographer. The Bournonville method emphasized graceful epaulement, with pirouettes performed with a low leg position and the feet are kept low in the cou de pied position.

The Cecchetti method (or Italian method), established by Enrico Cecchetti, is another style of classical ballet moves that has slightly variations of ballet terms. This style is mastered through rigid training where students are made to understand the essential characteristics of ballet dance through observation, internalization and practice. Cecchetti developed many expressions of ballet movements, including nearly forty adagio steps and eight port de bras. The method also encourages the creation of unique sequences or “enchaînements”.

Throughout the 1880s, Agrippina Vaganova created her own style of ballet classes and terms, which would later become known as the Russian Vaganova method. The ballet terms and technique was based on the teachings at the Imperial Ballet School, where Vaganova studied, and later developed using French and Italian methods. Vaganova emphasized supreme aptitude for dancers to perform a classical pas de deux and the style is largely credited for having very clean, precise movements.

The Royal Academy of Dancing, established in 1920, developed their own ballet technique and ballet terms through a combination of Italian, Danish, French and Russian methods. Its founders were some of the best ballet masters of their time working in Britain, including Tamara Karsavina and Edouard Espinosa. The RAD style is known extreme training. Its plie and écarté exercises, for example, are employed consistently and students are not allowed to progress to more difficult steps until the basics have been mastered.

The Balanchine method is another style that has its origins in Russia. It was established by George Balanchine, who popularized it the early 20th century in America. It is grounded on pre-Vaganova ballet training, with speed being its most notable characteristics. Balanchine favored the petit allegro and other lighting dynamics, and emphasized very deep plie in his choreography. The ballet moves and style is also distinctive for its arabesque and en-dehors pirouettes.

A more fluid ballet style was created in France in the 1980s, what would become known as the “École Française” or the French school of ballet. The choreographer Rudolf Nureyev used the French style to rework version of classic ballets performances. Like the Balanchine method, the style relies on speed and quantity of steps, but without compromising the fluidity of movements. Certain complex or combination of steps are performed quickly so as to look as a single seamless step.

Ballet terms and methods can also be classified as either Classical, Contemporary or Neoclassical. There are schools that offers New York Ballet classes and Los Angeles ballet are highly appealing to many dancers. Ballet flats are found in many shops these days and can these lines ballets and flats can be easily purchased from online. A common name of it ballet shoes are used. It is wise to get ballet shoes that fit comfortably into your feet. Classical methods emphasize developing strength in the lower body in order to support ballet movements such as tours en l’air, rond de jambe and for dancing en pointe. Contemporary ballet term derives its style from classical ballet but allows for freer and more varied movements. The Neoclassical method, again, is based on classical ballet but has its narrative and heavy theatrical features removed.

Ballet Terms Listed from A – Z.