Technical Tuesday Temps de Cuisse

Technical Tuesday Temps de Cuisse

Temps de cuisse (tahn duh kweess) is a fun step. It is fun to do, and I think it is fun to say. Temps de cuisse, temps de cuisse, temps de cuisse … you get the idea.

According to the website Andros on Ballet (http://michaelminn.net/andros/technique/), a temps de cuisse is: “Thigh movement. A compound step consisting of a battement degagé and a sissone fermée.” This definition is also in Gail Grant’s book, Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet. For an interesting discussion on the many variations and ideas about this step, check out today’s link. The word origin of “cuisse” is:  a piece of armor or padding for the thigh.

I usually teach temps de cuisse in petit allegro combinations using a small, ankle-height passé into a sissone that can travel in any direction. This step is very useful in helping student remember and practice the concept that any time the foot leaves the floor it must “peel off”, like a stamp from an envelope.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #15y:  

“The word “cuisse: in temps de cuisse comes from a word meaning: “a piece of armor or padding for the thigh”.

                Link of the Day:

http://www.ballet.co.uk/dcforum/training/853.html#1

Quote of the Day:

““Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something.”
― H. Jackson Brown Jr.

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