Ballet Theory
These are the words you should learn for each grade. As you progress through the grades you should also learn the previous ones.
Remember learning your theory is very important as Graded examinations count towards a GCSE equivalent on reaching a Grade Five!
Introduction to Grade One
| Bras bas | Low position of both arms to form an oval action |
| Battement | A beating action of the working leg |
| Tendu | To stretch-an outstretched position or action |
| Grand | Large or Big |
| Devant | In front |
| Derriere | Behind or at the back |
| Petit | Small |
| Jete | To throw |
| Degage | To disengage or move apart |
Grade One
| Demi bras | Half way arms. Halfway between bras bas and 1st position |
| En croix | In the shape of a cross |
| Adage | Slow graceful co-ordinated movements |
| Glissade | Gliding or sliding movement along the floor |
| Changement | To change. A changing of the feet whilst in the air |
| Pose | To step- poised |
| Temps leve | A lifted movement |
| En face | Facing the front (downstage) |
Grade Two
| Enchainment | Steps linked together to form a short sequence |
| Assemble | To assemble, to join feet together |
| Soutenu | To sustain or hold |
| Fondu | To melt- a smooth bending movement of the supporting leg |
| Echappe | To escape- a movement of legs from a closed to an open position |
| Releve | A strong rise or snatch onto demi point keeping toes in contact with the floor |
| Croise | Crossed(body alignment),the front foot is nearest to the audience |
| Ouvert | Open(body alignment) |
| Arabesque | A balanced pose on one leg with the other leg extended behind (a terre or en l’air) in ouvert |
| A’terre | The working foot remains on the ground |
| En l’air | In the air. The working foot is off the ground |
| Pas de chat | Step of the cat |
Grade Four
| Frappe | To strike |
| Sur le cou de pied | On the neck of the foot. Phrase used to describe placement of the working foot on the supporting leg |
| Developpe | A sustained unfolding action of the working leg |
| Fouette | To whip |
| Epaulement | A use of the shoulders in relation to the body |
| A deux bras | (Two) with both arms |
| Temp lie | Time- Linked – a linking movement incorporating a transference of weight |
| Pirouette | A whirl – spinning action performed on one leg |
Grade Three
| Glisse | A glide or slide |
| Ronds de jambe | A circling or rounding of the working leg |
| En dehors | Outward action of the working leg |
| En dedans | Inward action of the working leg |
| Retire | A drawing up action of the working leg |
| Attitude | A pose- a contained position based on curves |
| Chasse | To chase – a linking movement with a sliding action |
| En avant | To the front-movements travelling forward |
| En arriere | To the back-movements travelling backwards |
| Balance To rock | A balanced step set to waltz time with accent of the first step |
| De cote | To travel sideways |
| Soubresaut | A spring in the air in 3rd or 5th position without changing feet on landing |
| Pas de bourree | A running step. Step of the bourree, an old French dance |
| Sur Place | An action performed without travelling |
Grade Five
| Sissonne | Scissor action – a jump from two feet to one foot |
| Ferme | To close – an action which ends with the feet together in a closed position |
| Battu | To beat – a beating action of the legs |
| Entrechat | To interweave or braid – a jump in which the feet cross and the legs beat in the air |
| Quatre | Four – four interweaving action, two with each leg |