Saturday, July 26, 2014

Saturday Sleight of Hand Saut de Basque


Saturday Sleight of Hand Saut de Basque

Ahhh the saut de basque!   It is a fun big jump involving a turn in the air.  But what makes it the most fun is the sleight of hand (or leg?) that happens when a single saut de basque becomes a double.

The double is actually an illusion!  The single saut de basque itself is really only a half turn in the air because by the time the leading leg grand battement reaches its height, the dancer is already halfway around and the next position in passé completes the full revolution.

A double is achieved the same way – it is actually only one and a half turns.  But it looks like so much more!  So if a dancer has mastered the single saut de basque, the double is usually not a difficult transition.  Just remember to spot twice!

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #15p:  
“A saut de basque is a half turn in the air, so a double is actually less than two revolutions.”

                Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“If something is there, you can only see it with your eyes open, but if it isn't there, you can see it just as well with your eyes closed. That's why imaginary things are often easier to see than real ones.”
Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

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