Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet

Gail Grant

• Éditeur: Dover Publications
• Année: 2012
• ISBN:
  9780486132860
• Sujet: Media & Performing Arts
• Sous-sujet: Dance

`Miss Grant has made more information available in one book than we have ever had before. Teacher's organizations would do well to consider the use of Miss Grant's Technical Manual as an official textbook.` — Dance Magazine
Gail Grant's Technical Manual has long been one of the most popular and effective ballet reference guides. Completely revised and updated, this third edition is virtually a new work and should be owned by every student, teacher, choreographer, and ballet enthusiast — even those who purchased the second edition. Extensive revision, expansion, and the inclusion of more than 300 new terms have added immeasurably to the value of this concise, definitive manual.
Moving from `abstract ballet` and `adage, adagio` to `working leg` and `wrapped position,` the book fully describes and defines over 1,100 ballet steps (saul de chat, jeté enveloppé, failli, entrechat six, etc.), movements and poses (arabesque, épaulement, attitude, en arrière, retiré, à terre, dégagé, etc.), and other expressions and concepts. For each, first a phonetic transcription is provided, then a literal translation, and finally an explanation of how the step is performed, the pose captured, or the movement executed, of how the concept fits in with actual ballet dancing, or of the purpose or function of the idea. A pronunciation guide, cross-references to alternate names for similar steps and positions that vary from the Russian to the French or Italian schools, and a bibliography are all invaluable aids.
But the most important supplement is the 15-page pictorial section, drawn by the author, who is both a ballet dancer and a successful teacher. Keyed to the dictionary (and vice-versa), these diagrams show clearly the exact foot, leg, arm, and body positions for the proper execution of many of the more common ballet steps and movements.

Pas [pah]. Step. A simple step or a compound movement which involves a transfer of weight. Example: pas de bourrée. “Pas” also refers to a dance executed by a soloist (pas seul), a duet (pas de deux), and so on.

Pas allé [pah a-LAY]. Walking step. This is a simple walking step in which the whole foot is placed on the floor, not the toe first as in pas marché.

Pas assemblé [pah a-sahn-BLAY]. Assembled step. A basic step of allégro. See Assemblé.

Pas ballotté [pah ba-law-TAY]. Tossed step. See Ballotté.

Pas battus [pah ba-TEW]. Beaten steps. Any step done with a beat is called a pas battu. The pas battus include such steps as assemblé, jeté, ballonné, sissonne, échappé, saut de basque, jeté entrelacé, etc.

Pas brisé [pah bree-ZAY]. Breaking step. See Brisé.

Pas composé [pah kawn-poh-ZAY]. Compound step. A term of the French School for any of various combinations of steps. See Compound step; Enchaînement.

Pas coupé [pah koo-PAY]. Cutting step. See Coupé.

Pas couru [pah koo-REW]. Running step. Pas couru is a run in any direction and is composed of three or five running steps on the demi-pointes to gain momentum for such steps as grand jeté en avant, grand jeté pas de chat, etc. The demi-plié at the end of the pas couru is emphasized, followed by the step for which it serves as a springboard. The term is also used for a run on point in an unturned-out first position.

Pas d’action [pah dak-SYAWN]. Dance action. A scene in a ballet that expresses emotion or tells a story by means of mime and dance. Examples of pas d’action are to be found in Giselle, Act I, in Coppélia and in The Sleeping Beauty.

Pas de basque [pah duh bask]. Basque step. A characteristic step of the national dances of the Basques that has been adapted to ballet use. There are two types of pas de basque; pas de basque glissé, which is done close to the floor, and pas de basque sauté, which is jumped. The step is performed en avant, en arrière and en tournant.

Pas de basque battu (Cecchetti method) [pah duh bask ba-TEW]. Pas de basque, beaten. Fifth position R foot front. Demi-plié and spring off the L foot, raising the R foot a few inches off the floor, toward corner 1. While the body is in the air, beat the feet (from the base of the calves down) together, R foot front, and simultaneously interchange them. Land on the R foot in demi-plié and immediately close the L foot in demi-plié in the fifth position front.

Pas de basque en arrière, grand [grahn pah duh bask ah na-RYEHR]. Large pas de basque, traveling backward. To perform this, reverse the movements of grand pas de basque en avant (q.v.). It may also be performed eliminating the demi-grand rond de jambe en dedans, in which case the step begins with a jeté de côté at 90 degrees.

Pas de basque en avant, grand [grahn pah duh bask ah na-VAHN]. Large pas de basque, traveling forward. Fifth position croisé, R foot front. Demi-plié and execute a demi-grand rond de jambe en dehors to the second position at 90 degrees; spring to the right on the R foot, landing in demi-plié, and simultaneously execute a développé croisé devant with the L toe passing the R knee before extending forward at 90 degrees; step on the L demi-pointe croisé en avant and quickly bring the R foot to the fifth position back on demi-pointe, then demi-plié in fifth position croisé.

Pas de basque en descendant [pah duh bask ahn day-sahn-DAHN]. Pas de basque, coming down (stage). A term of the French School. Same as pas de basque en avant.

Pas de basque en détournant, grand [grahn pah duh bask ahn day-toor-NAHN]. A term of the French School. Same as grand pas de basque en tournant.

Pas de basque en remontant [pah duh bask ahn ruh-mawn-TAHN]. Pas de basque, going up (stage). A term of the French School. Same as pas de basque en arrière.

Pas de basque en tournant [pah duh bask ahn toor-NAHN]. Pas de basque, turning. This is a compound step consisting of a pas de basque en avant turning a half-turn en dedans, followed by a pas de basque en arrière turning a half-turn en dehors, to make one complete turn.

Pas de basque en tournant, grand [grahn pah duh bask ahn toor-NAHN]. Large pas de basque, turning. This is done like the grand pas de basque (en avant) but the first two movements are done with straight legs. Demi-plié in the fifth position. Execute a demi-grand rond de jambe en dehors at 90 degrees with the R leg, spring upward and execute a demi-grand rond de jambe en dedans at 90 degrees with the L leg. Alight in fondu on the R leg and close the L leg to the fifth position front, turning quickly en dedans on the balls of the feet. Finish in demi-plié in the fifth position R foot front.

Pas de basque glissé en arrière [pah duh bask glee-SAY ah na-RYEHR]. Pas de basque, gliding backward. To perform this, reverse the movements of pas de basque glissé en avant (q.v.). It may also be performed eliminating the demi-rond de jambe en dedans, in which case the step begins with a battement soutenu to the second position.

Pas de basque glissé en avant [pah duh bask glee-SAY ah na-VAHN]. Pas de basque, gliding forward. Fifth position croisé, R foot front. Demi-plié and slide the R foot croisé devant, pointe tendue, and immediately execute a demi-rond de jambe à terre en dehors; jump on the R foot in demi-plié without getting off the floor and extend the L foot pointe tendue to the second position; glide the L foot through the first position (the Cecchetti method glides through the fifth), allowing the knee to bend, to the fourth position front (croisé); the weight is then taken on the L foot and both knees straighten as the R foot is pointed in croisé derrière; the R foot then executes a coupé dessous or is closed to the fifth position croisé derrière in demi-plié.

Pas de basque par terre [pah duh bask par tehr]. Pas de basque on the ground. A term of the Russian School. Same as pas de basque glissé (en avant or en arrière).

Pas de basque sauté en avant [pah duh bask soh-TAY ah na-VAHN]. Pas de basque, jumping forward. This is done in the same manner as the pas de basque glissé en avant, but the legs are raised off the floor and the step is jumped. Execute the demi-rond de jambe en dehors slightly off the floor, then spring to the working foot and step forward to the fourth position croisé. Finish with a coupé dessous or close in the fifth position in demi-plié. Pas de basque sauté en arrière is done in the same manner, reversing the directions.

Pas de basque sur les pointes [pah duh bask sewr lay pwent]. Pas de basque on the points. A term of the Cecchetti method. Stand in the fourth position croisé R foot front, pointe tendue. Execute a demi-rond de jambe en l’air en dehors (demi-hauteur), springing onto the R point. Immediately bring the L foot to the fifth position front sur la pointe. Remaining on the points, turn the body to the right until it returns to the starting position, changing the feet so that the R foot is in front. Lower the heels and demi-plié in the fifth position, or fondu on the L leg, extending the R leg to the fourth position en l’air croisé (demi-hauteur). See Tour de basque.

Pas de batterie [pah duh bat-REE]. Beating steps. A term of the French School. See Battu.

Pas déboîté [pah day-bwah-TAY]. Disjointed step. See Déboîté.

Pas de bourrée [pah duh boo-RAY]. Bourrée step. Pas de bourrée is done dessous, dessus, devant, derrière, en avant, en arrière and en tournant en dedans and en dehors, on the point or demi-pointe.

Pas de bourrée bateau [pah duh boo-RAY ba-TOH]. Boat-like pas de bourrée. A term of the French School. This is a pas de bourrée en avant taken in an effacé direction and ending with the free foot extended à la demi-hauteur. This is immediately followed by a pas de bourrée en arrière taken in an effacé direction and ending with the free foot extended à la demi-hauteur. See Pas de bourrée en arrière; Pas de bourrée en avant.

Pas de bourrée changé sur les pointes [pah duh boo-RAY shahn-ZHAY sewr lay pwent]. Pas de bourrée, changing, on the toes. A series of quick little steps in place on the points or demi-pointes. Fifth position R foot front. Step on the L point crossed behind the R, take a tiny step on the R point to the right, then step on the L point crossed in front of the R. Repeat starting with the R foot. The step is done alternating sides as rapidly as possible and remaining sur place.

Pas de bourrée couru [pah duh boo-RAY koo-REW]. Pas de bourrée, running. A term of the French School. This is a progression on the points or demi-pointes by a series of small, even steps with the feet close together. It may be done in all directions or in a circle. Same as pas de bourrée suivi.

Pas de bourrée couru en cinquième [pah duh boo-RAY koo-REW ahn sen-KYEM]. Pas de bourrée, running, in the fifth position. A term of the French School. This pas de bourrée is done on the points or demi-pointes. The back foot should start the action and remain the leader throughout the duration of the step. Fifth position, R foot front. Take a tiny step to the right on the L point, then close the R point to the fifth position front; step to the right again with the L foot, and so on. When traveling to the left the L foot will be in front and the R foot will lead. This pas de bourrée may be taken in all directions and in a circle. See Pas de bourrée suivi.

Pas de bourrée couru en première [pah duh boo-RAY koo-REW ahn pruh-MYEHR]. Pas de bourrée, running, in the first position. This step travels en avant, en arrière and so on. The feet are in the first position on the points or demi-pointes, without a turn-out, and the step is done traveling with a series of tiny steps closing in the first position.

Pas de bourrée derrière [pah duh boo-RAY deh-RYEHR]. Pas de bourrée in back. Fifth position R foot front. Demi-plié and dégagé the R foot to the second position en l’air à la demi-hauteur. Bring the R foot to the fifth position back, rising on the demi-pointes, and immediately open the L foot to the second position, stepping on the demi-pointe. Bring the R foot in back of the L and lower both heels to the ground in the fifth position, demi-plié. The dégagé movement of this step may be started from the fifth position front or back.

The following will be an aid in remembering the four common pas de bourrée:

Pas de bourrée dessous: step behind, side, front.

Pas de bourrée dessus: step front, side, behin...