Learning the classic dance elements

Port de bras [pawr duh brah]

Carriage of the arms. The term port de bras has two meanings: (1) A movement or series of movements made by passing the arm or arms through various positions. The passage of the arms from one position to another constitutes a port de bras. (2) A term for a group of exercises designed to make the arms move gracefully and harmoniously. In the Cecchetti method there are eight set exercises on port de bras. In the execution of port de bras the arms should move from the shoulder and not from the elbow and the movement should be smooth and flowing. The arms should be softly rounded so that the points of the elbows are imperceptible and the hands must be simple, graceful and never flowery. The body and head should come into play and a suggestion of épaulement should be used. In raising the arms from one position to another the arms must pass through a position known in dancing as the gateway. This position corresponds to the fifth position en avant, Cecchetti method, or the first position, French and Russian Schools. In passing from a high position to a low one, the arms are generally lowered in a line with the sides. Exercises on port de bras can be varied to infinity by combining their basic elements according to the taste of the professor and the needs of the pupil.

Releve

In ballet, a rising with a spring movement to point or demi-point

Learning the classic dance elements

Jeté

Jeté is a jump from one foot to the other (like a leap), in which one leg appears to be "thrown" in the direction of the movement (front, back or sideways). There are several kinds of jetés, such as petit jeté, grand jeté, en tournant, jeté entrelacé, etc.

Learning the classic dance elements

Attitude

A particular pose in dancing derived by Carlo Blasis from the statue of Mercury by Giovanni da Bologna. A position in which the dancer stands on one leg (known as the supporting leg) while the other leg (working leg) is lifted and well turned out with the knee bent at approximately 90-degree angle. The lifted or working leg can be behind (derrière), in front (devant), or on the side (à la seconde) of the body. If the leg in attitude derrière is resting on the floor, then the pose is known as B-plus. It is important to note that when executing an attitude position devant or derrière, the knee should be in line with the ankle, as if the whole leg would be resting on a surface. The attitude position can be performed with the supporting leg and foot either en pointe, demi pointe or on a flat foot.