Grand battements usually come at the end of barre, when the
dancer is beginning to tire. This can be
a big problem for a step that requires aggression, strength and control. The usual problem is one of crashing
legs. The “up” of the grand battement
usually works well, but on the coming down portion, gravity takes over and the
leg crashes into fifth (or beyond)! The
rebound from this crash also distorts the posture, and makes the subsequent
battement much more difficult to accomplish.
To prevent this smashing descent, imagine that the battement
leg kicks upward through open space, but comes down through water – like being in a swimming pool. (In fact, a pool is a great place to explore
various steps and how resistance works).
This image usually works well and can be used in other steps
involving an aggressive descent of the working leg as well.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Secret #12c:
“Imagine the “up”
portion of grand battement goes through space, but the “down” portion descends
through water.”
Link of the Day:
“Before you put on a frown, make sure
there are no smiles available.”
-
Jim Beggs, author
Help expand the knowledge base!
Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas,
or images that worked best for you!
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