2 3 Technical Tuesday Pas de Couru | Ballet Webb

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Technical Tuesday Pas de Couru


Technical Tuesday Pas de Couru
Pas de couru (pawh de ka-ruu) is a running step, and the word “couru” means running. When performed on pointe, pas de couru is done on the tips of the pointe shoes and when performed well, the feet move so fast they appear to twinkle. The feet move rapidly up and down in front of the body, and the torso angles forward from the pelvis to provide a counterweight. There is an even rhythm to the movement, and practice allows the dancer to move the feet extremely fast.
Pas de couru is also done on demi-pointe, and often precedes a jump. In this instance, the steps should accelerate slightly to provide the impetus for the jump. But the impression is still that of twinkling feet.
The most famous example of pas de couru is at the beginning of the traditional variation of the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker (see today’s link). 

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Ballet Secret #13n:
 “Pas de couru” means running step. 

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