In color guard, we don't usually learn what the terms that we use mean, or even how to spell them! Here are a few basic terms we use all the time but may not know the meaning or explanation.
Chassé (shah-say)
Definition: to chase
Description: The concept is that one leg is chasing the other. The thighs should pull tight together, in fact the entirety of both legs should pull together. But guess what, you don't have to leave the ground for it to be called a chassé. See the "how to" video below to see what I mean.
How To: Here is a link to a ballerina demonstrating the chassé in the air, and here is another link with more of a "how to" video for chassé on the floor, and lastly a "how to" video for chassé in the air.
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| http://northlandschoolofdance.com/2012/11/c-is-for-chasse-dance-terminology-a-z/ |
Passé (pah-say)
Definition: to pass
Description: Passé is a movement in ballet in which the working leg passes the supporting leg, sliding close to the knee. Passé is sometimes confused with the ballet position retiré in which the toe of the working leg touches the knee of the supporting leg. However, in color guard, we use passé to mean retiré, so don't stress about which to call it.
How To: Check out this video to see how you can do a passé correctly
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| http://www.showcasedanceproductions.com/aboutus.htm |
Pilé (plee-ay)
Definition: to fold or to bend
Description: This is an exercise to render the joints and muscles soft and pliable and the tendons flexible and elastic, and to develop a sense of balance.
How To: This is a link for a grand plié in first position (notice how her heels go to the ground as soon as they can as she rises), and a basic first position demi plié.
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| http://dicasdeballet.tumblr.com/post/32241865384/o-que-e-plie-en-dehor-e-passe |
Relevé (rehl-leh-vay)
Definition: to rise or raised
Description: In a relevé, you rise to the demi-pointe or to the ball of your foot
How To: Here is a great, detailed explanation of relevé
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| http://www.evolutiondanceleander.com/not-about-dance-workshop/2014/3/15/elevate-ballet-intensive |
Sauté (soh-tay)
Definition: to jump
Description: Typically, we think of a sauté as jumping with off one foot, landing on the same foot, with our free leg straight behind us. And yes, that is a sauté. However, any jump you do is really a sauté! Try varying the types of jumps by putting the free leg into coupe or pase
Factoid: Did you know it's the same word for when you sauté something in a frying pan? The food "jumps!"
How To: Here is a sauté in first position (two feet), and here the last jump she does is a sauté as well
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| http://entertainmentguide.local.com/types-dance-leaps-10940.html |
Tendu (tahn-deu)
Definition: tense, strained or tight (this is the literal french translation)
Description: This is something we do day-in-day-out in color guard. You can do an exercise with tendu's. When I teach jazz walks, I explain that you go through first position, and straightening/lengthening to a tendu before stepping. Another option for jazz walks goes through coupe which would not include a tendu.
How To: Here is Jennifer Carlynn Kronenberg demonstrating a tendu
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| http://www.nanou.org/sports/ballet/leia/Standard%20positions%20gallery/pages/tendu-front.htm |
Definition: A turn in the air
Description: In traditional classical ballet, the tor en l'air is a jump turn that men (typically) do where they start in fifth position, jump straight up in the air and turn 1 or more times, landing back in fifth position. In color guard, however, we sometimes use this term to mean a chassé turn, in which you essentially do a chassé while doing one full rotation, straight up in the air. Just like with a non-turning chassé, the thighs should pull tight together. Our use of this term in color guard is not technically correct, and yet, we still call it a tour en l'air or an "air tour." Just know we are using the term the way color guard means it, and not classical ballet. Technically, in ballet this would be called a chassé en tournant (sha-SAY ahn toor-NAHN) (thanks to the commenter who posted!)
How To: Seems I can't find a good video of a chassé en tournant! Maybe I'll just have to make one. Below is a graphical explanation of the classical ballet use of tour en l'air.
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| http://theclassicballet.blogspot.com/2010/12/tour-en-lair.html Note: this is the true classical ballet version that goes straight up and down, and often has 2 or more rotations before landing. It is often a jump for the male dancers. |
What other steps would you like to learn more about? I am thinking of a post all about fun unique jumps (e.g., the firebird, a calypso). What else would you like to see?
References:
1. http://www.abt.org/education/dictionary/index.html
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_ballet
3. http://www.step-by-step-dance.com/ballettermspronunciationdefinitions.html
4. http://dance.about.com/od/ballet
5. http://ballethub.com/ballet-term/chasse-en-tournant/
I think is is a really nice attempt to familarize CG people with dance terms. However, some of this information is incorrect. Tendu means to stretch. In order to tendu you must work from straight legs. You do not tendu when you walk or run. Additionally a chasse turn is not called a tour en l'air. A tour en l'air is done from a plie typically in fifth and is performed in place. A chasse turn is called a chasse en tournant.
ReplyDeleteYou make very good points! I updated the post to reflect what I meant by using a tendu when doing jazz walks (if you do them through first position...this is not true when going through coupe). Tendu, however, does literally translate to "tense" in french." I also clarified the chasse en tournant! Since we technically use the term "tour en l'air" incorrectly in color guard, I did specify what the difference is. That said, literally translated it means "turn in the air" which could be used to describe any turn (i.e., outside the classical ballet realm). I appreciate the feedback!!!
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