2 3 Fun Friday Fouettés and Keyholes | Ballet Webb

Friday, March 21, 2014

Fun Friday Fouettés and Keyholes




Fun Friday Fouettés and Keyholes
No, I’m not talking about fouetté turns, as in 32.  I’m focusing on a standard fouetté.  The French term “fouetté” means “to whip” and that is a pretty accurate description of the correct movement.  There are many different variations on the fouetté, but all contain a basic whipping type of movement.
 Often taught first at the barre, the working leg is extended in the devant position, then the body turns away from the working leg, and the working leg ends up in an arabesque or derriere position.  The dancer spots a focal point at the finishing position, (remember, “If it turns, it spots”, Ballet Statute #5).  http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2013/12/wonderful-wednesday-turns-and-spots.html
A key point here (no pun intended) is that the working leg must maintain its original height (or go higher), and not drop at all.  To keep the height, imagine that the working foot extends even longer (is placed in a wide keyhole), and when the fouetté happens, turn the key (always maintaining the turn-out).
 

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #20a:
“To maintain the height of the working leg in a fouetté, imagine placing the foot in a keyhole, and then turn the key.”

 

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“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential…these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”
-Confucius

 

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