2 3 Dégagés | Ballet Webb

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Dégagés


Dégagés

Battement dégagés, usually called simply “dégagés“, are an extension of the tendu.  It is as though the foot was stretched so much that it had to levitate off the floor.  All the rules for tendus apply, and the degage only lifts slightly from the floor.  The musical accent can be an even in and out count per dégagé, or it may be a quicker tempo, using single count for each dégagé, often with the musical accent being in (i.e. when the foot is in fifth or first). 

When teaching students “accent in”, I use the analogy of clapping your hands – also an accent in.  Dégagés are an important exercise for many things, but especially for perfecting the ability to transition quickly and effectively from a relaxed foot and ankle (in fifth or first), to a fully stretched foot and leg.
 

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret # 4c 
“A degage is a tendu that stretches so much that it has to leave the floor.”

 

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