4.1 Basic Dance Terminology and Positions
3 min read•july 23, 2024
Ballet terminology and positions form the foundation of dance in musical theater. From s to s, these movements create the graceful language of ballet. Understanding the five basic positions allows performers to execute choreography with precision and artistry.
Basic dance steps like ball changes, grapevines, and pivot turns are essential building blocks for musical theater choreography. Mastering these fundamental moves and using proper terminology enhances communication, consistency, and professionalism in the world of dance and theater.
Ballet Terminology and Positions
Common dance terms
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- Plié bends the knees and can be done in any of the five basic positions
- involves a small bend of the knees
- involves a deep bend of the knees, with heels possibly lifting off the ground in turned-out positions
- , meaning "stretched", slides the working foot forward, sideways, or backward on the floor while keeping the supporting leg straight and maintaining contact with the floor throughout the movement
- Relevé rises onto the balls of the feet (demi-pointe) or all the way up onto the toes (en pointe, requiring pointe shoes) and can be done in any position
Five basic ballet positions
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- Feet: Heels together and toes turned out, forming a straight line
- Arms: Rounded in front of the body, fingertips almost touching, forming an oval shape
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- Feet: Heels apart and toes turned out, forming a straight line
- Arms: Opened out to the sides, slightly rounded, palms facing inward
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- Feet: One foot in front of the other, heels touching the middle of the other foot, both turned out
- Arms: One arm in first position, the other in second position
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- Feet: One foot in front of the other, about a foot's distance apart, both turned out
- Arms: One arm in first position, the other raised above the head, slightly rounded
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- Feet: One foot in front of the other, toes of each foot reaching the heel of the other, both turned out
- Arms: Both arms raised above the head, slightly rounded, palms facing inward
Basic Dance Steps
Basic dance steps
- quickly shifts weight from one foot to the other by stepping onto the ball of one foot, then quickly shifting weight to the other foot
- travels sideways with a series of side steps and crosses
- : Step right, cross left foot behind right, step right, cross left foot in front of right
- : Reverse the footwork
- changes the direction the dancer is facing by stepping forward onto one foot, then using the other foot to push off and turn in the opposite direction
- Can be done in various amounts (half turn of 180 degrees or full turn of 360 degrees)
Dance terminology in musical theater
- Clear Communication allows choreographers, directors, and performers to communicate effectively and ensures everyone understands the specific movements and positions being referred to
- Consistency in standardized terminology maintains consistency across different productions and styles, enabling dancers to quickly adapt to new choreography when working with different choreographers
- Professionalism is demonstrated by showing knowledge of proper dance terminology, helping dancers to be taken seriously in auditions and rehearsals
- Efficient Learning is facilitated by using correct terminology, allowing for more efficient learning and correction processes as dancers can make precise adjustments based on specific feedback using shared vocabulary
Key Terms to Review (15)
Ball change: A ball change is a dance movement where the weight shifts from one foot to the other in a quick, alternating fashion, typically involving a step onto the ball of one foot followed by a shift onto the other foot. This movement is essential in various dance styles, creating momentum and flow in choreography, and serves as a fundamental building block for more complex steps and transitions.
Demi-plié: A demi-plié is a fundamental ballet movement where the dancer bends their knees while keeping their heels on the ground. This movement is crucial for establishing proper body alignment, strength, and flexibility in dance. It serves as a foundational technique that is often used in various positions and transitions, allowing dancers to build their skills and execute more complex movements effectively.
Fifth position: Fifth position refers to a specific alignment of the feet in dance, where the heel of one foot touches the toe of the other foot, creating a narrow stance. This position is essential for various dance styles, providing a stable base for movement and balance while allowing for graceful transitions between steps. Mastery of fifth position is foundational for dancers as it serves as a starting point for many ballet movements and formations.
First position: First position is a basic stance in ballet where the feet are turned out and placed at a 45-degree angle from each other, with the heels touching. This position serves as the foundational starting point for many ballet movements and is crucial for developing proper alignment and balance. Mastery of first position is essential for dancers as it provides stability and prepares the body for more complex movements.
Fourth position: Fourth position is a fundamental stance in dance where one foot is placed forward while the other foot is positioned behind, typically with the feet turned outwards. This position is crucial for various dance styles as it helps establish balance, control, and fluid movement. The fourth position can be executed in both parallel and turned-out forms, and it serves as a starting point for many movements and transitions in dance routines.
Grand plié: A grand plié is a deep bending of the knees in ballet, performed while keeping the feet flat on the ground and maintaining proper alignment. This movement engages the dancer's entire body, enhancing flexibility and strength, and is often used as a fundamental exercise to develop balance and control. In musical theater, a grand plié is essential for building a strong foundation in dance technique, allowing performers to transition smoothly into more complex movements.
Grapevine: The grapevine is a dance step commonly used in jazz and other dance styles that involves a sideways movement where the dancer crosses one foot behind the other and then steps to the side, creating a weaving pattern. This step is essential for adding style and fluidity to choreography, allowing dancers to transition smoothly between movements while maintaining rhythm and flow.
Left grapevine: The left grapevine is a dance step that involves a lateral movement to the left, where the dancer steps to the left with their left foot, crosses the right foot behind the left, steps to the left again with the left foot, and finally brings the right foot next to the left. This movement creates a flowing, zig-zag pattern often used in various dance styles and routines. It is a fundamental step that helps dancers understand weight transfer and body alignment while adding flair to choreography.
Pivot turn: A pivot turn is a fundamental dance movement where a dancer rotates on one foot while the other foot stays in place, effectively changing direction without losing balance. This move is essential for transitioning between steps and directions smoothly in various dance styles, showcasing both control and agility.
Plié: A plié is a fundamental dance movement that involves bending the knees while keeping the upper body straight and aligned. This movement serves as a building block for various dance styles, enhancing balance, strength, and flexibility. In both classical ballet and jazz dance, pliés prepare dancers for jumps, turns, and transitions by grounding them and ensuring proper alignment.
Relevé: Relevé is a ballet term that means 'to raise' and refers to the action of rising onto the balls of the feet from a flat position. This movement is essential in many dance styles, including jazz, as it emphasizes balance, strength, and proper alignment. Relevé can be performed from various positions and is often used as a transition into other movements, making it a fundamental skill in dance training.
Right grapevine: The right grapevine is a fundamental dance step characterized by stepping to the right with one foot, bringing the other foot to meet it, and then stepping to the right again, often with a slight turn of the body. This step creates a lateral movement that is essential for fluid transitions in dance routines, allowing dancers to travel sideways while maintaining rhythm and style.
Second position: Second position is a fundamental stance in dance, particularly in ballet, where the feet are turned out to the side and placed approximately shoulder-width apart. This position not only establishes a stable base for various movements but also promotes proper alignment of the legs and hips, making it essential for executing many dance techniques. Mastering second position helps dancers develop strength, balance, and coordination.
Tendu: Tendu is a fundamental ballet movement where the dancer stretches their leg and foot along the floor, extending the toes while keeping the heel in contact with the ground. This action helps to develop strength and flexibility in the feet and legs, which are essential for executing more complex movements. It serves as a foundational exercise for proper body alignment and control, making it a critical aspect of dance training.
Third position: Third position refers to a specific stance in dance where the feet are turned out to the side, with one foot placed in front of the other, usually at a 45-degree angle. This position is essential for balance and is often used in ballet and other dance forms to create a graceful line and fluid movement.