Relevés, Elevés, and Things That Go Bump in the Night
A beginning step that is often a point (no pun intended) of
confusion is the relevé. Often used interchangeably
with the term elevé, which is technically a completely different movement. The difference is simple: a relevé is a rise to the ball of the foot
that is preceded by a plié, whereas an elevé rises to the ball of the foot
without a plié.
I teach my beginning students that it is easy to remember
the difference because the word “relevé” has one more letter (“r”) than elevé,
and requires one more movement (plié).
It is important to remember that when the relevé or elevé is
at its height, and the dancer is standing on demi- pointe, the knees are straight,
that is, the patella (knee cap) is fully pulled up. A straight knee provides strong support,
and helps prevent the dancer from falling (going bump in the night).
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Secret #8:
“A relevé is a rise to
the ball of the foot (demi-pointe) that is initiated by a plié.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“When you try to control everything, you enjoy nothing. Sometimes you just need to relax, breathe,
let go and just live in the moment.”
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