Yes, another tendu blog.
Now that the energy sensations and “slurping” action of the tendu have
been discussed, it is time for another important concept. How does one keep the leg turned out during
the tendu? Although turn-out should originate
from the hip sockets (see the post on turn-out), here it helps to think about
the foot and ankle.
When performing a tendu to the front (devant), the heel
(ankle) leads the movement. This should happen
naturally if the legs are rotating correctly in the hip socket. To the back (derrière), the opposite is
true: the toes lead the movement – again
this should be a natural reaction to the legs being rotated correctly in the
hip sockets.
In à la seconde it becomes more complex. The tendu should
follow the “hallway” created by the dancer’s first position, with an imaginary
X marking the spot where the tendu ends (this is the same spot regardless of
whether the tendu originated from first or fifth position). Unless the dancer’s rotational capability is
a perfect 180 degrees, the direction of the tendu and the imaginary X will not be directly to the side. Instead, it will be slightly in front of
side. I demonstrate this using two CD
cases. I have the student stand in their
best, correct first position, and then place one CD case on edge on each side of the
foot. Then I slide the cases straight
out past the dancer’s toes, creating a “hallway” for the tendu. I stress that during the tendu the dancer
must focus on using the turn-out equally on each leg.
From the Big Blue
Book of Ballet Secrets:
Secret #3d: “When performing a tendu devant, the heel
leads the movement. In tendu derrière,
the toes lead, and in a tendu à la seconde, the degree of rotational ability
determines the path of the tendu.”
A great place to return to frequently is our
Link of the Day:
Quote of the Day:
“The greatest gift you can give another is the purity of your attention.”
- Richard Moss, M.D.
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