Mad Monday Pendulum
One enjoyable step is the grand battement en cloche. En cloche means “like a bell”, and that is a
good image for this step. Another
related one is that of a pendulum. The
clapper inside a bell swings like a pendulum, hitting the sides of the bell as
it moves rhythmically back and forth.
When a grand battement en cloche moves from devant to derrière
through first position, the working leg acts as that pendulum. From the peak of the battement to first,
gravity helps propel the leg downward, and on the upward swing, the momentum gained
on the descent is used as an impetus for the upward thrust of the next
battement. The dancer’s job is to
control the stretch in the working leg by sending energy out beyond the toes,
and let the momentum of the pendulum do most of the work.
This en cloche action is also used for Italian fouettés, like
those seen in today’s video.
It’s a fun step because the correct use of this pendulum
action makes the battement almost a self-propelled machine!
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Secret #12d:
“A grand battement en cloche should be like a pendulum.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“Life is like a pendulum: the deeper the sorrow, the more colorful the
joy.”
-
Isadora Duncan
Help expand the knowledge base!
Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas,
or images that worked best for you!
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