Tendues are important for many reasons, but one of the most
important is that a tendu establishes the proper direction of movement. With few exceptions, where the tendu is
placed establishes where the dégagé will go, and where all the higher
extensions of the leg will go. There are lots of places the leg can go (or
drift) that are wrong so repetition
on the correct pathway is crucial.
It doesn’t matter where the torso (body) is facing (front,
side, croisé, etc.). The tendu is always
placed in one of the following places:
1. A tendu devant is in front of
the belly button. Simple as that.
2. A tendu (and dégagé) derrière is
placed directly behind the standing (supporting) heel.
3. A tendu à la seconde is placed according to
the dancer’s degree of turnout, usually slightly in front of the side seam of
one’s leotard or tee shirt.
The main exception is in high derrière positions like
attitude or arabesque. Here the leg is aligned behind the working hip instead of the standing heel.
There you have it. Three places. That’s it. All balletic
positions come from these specific locations, and no deviation is allowed.
That’s why so much repetition is needed throughout a dancer’s life. It is all
too easy for habits of over or under-crossing to occur in tendues and all the
position that follow.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Secret #4l:
“Tendues go in three specific directions: front, side and back.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“The good life is a process, not a
state of being. It is a direction not a destination.”
Help expand the knowledge base!
Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas,
or images that worked best for you!
No comments:
Post a Comment