2 3 Super Saturday Affectionate Changements | Ballet Webb

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Super Saturday Affectionate Changements


Super Saturday Affectionate Changements
One of the first jumps a dancer learns is a changement de pieds, usually shortened to changement.  It is a jump from fifth to fifth, and can be small or large.  The words mean to change the feet, and that is exactly what happens:  they change position in the air.  If the right foot starts in front in fifth position, it lands in the back.
A common problem is this:  the foot landing in the back never makes full contact with the floor, and this causes the heel to be raised upon landing.  This is a big problem because it can cause injuries because the cushioning nature of the plié is not being allowed to happen. 
Usually the reason dancers fail to get the whole foot on the floor is because their weight is not distributed over both feet when they land in plié.  Often the seat goes out, the weight is thrown forward, and the back foot cannot complete the necessary plié upon landing.
To help with this, imagine that both heels must be able to gently “kiss” the floor on each landing.
 

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #15i 
To achieve a good plié upon landing in a changement, imagine the heels ‘kissing’ the floor.”

                Link of the Day:

 Quote of the Day:
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
-          Victor Frankl

 
                Help expand the knowledge base
 Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

 

No comments:

Post a Comment