Technical Tuesday and Tier-Bouchon
Most terms in classical ballet are the same, or at least
similar, regardless of the school of training. However, tier-bouchon (teer-boo-shon)
is one that appears to have multiple meanings. Here are a few.
“A turn - the working leg is drawn up slowly to the side of
the supporting leg as a turn is performed http://www.step-by-step-dance.com/ballettermspronunciationdefinitions.html.
“Tire-bouchon-
Like a corkscrew. a term of the Russian school. This is a position in which the
leg is raised so that the thigh is in the second position and the tip of the
pointed toe touches the knee of the supporting leg. a pirouette in this
position, when done with a renverse movement, gives the impression of a
corkscrew.” http://www.dance.net/topic/10071008/1/Ballet-General/Cambr-en-rond-tire-bouchon.html&replies=0
“Balanchine,
Vaganova and Legat (with Grant paraphrasing Vaganova almost word for word) all
subscribe to the same notion that tire bouchon refers to the working leg held
momentarily in retire'. This can be in the context of, as mentioned, turns
(pirouette and renverse' cited) and grand battement de'veloppe' as depicted in
the illustrations” http://www.dance.net/topic/10200407/1/Ballet-Beginners/Tire-Bouchon-illustrations.html&replies=10
I
always heard it used as in the last example: “grand battement de'veloppe'”.
Ahhhh,
the evolution of language.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Ballet Secret #12f:
“Tier-bouchon is a term that means different things to different
teachers.”
Link of the Day:
“Don't be
afraid to be confused. Try to remain permanently confused. Anything is
possible. Stay open, forever, so open it hurts, and then open up some more,
until the day you die, world without end, amen.”
― George Saunders
― George Saunders
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While I hold the same knowledge of the term, from many sources, most of them russian, a Vaganova graduate, now teacher in my local city, says "tirebouchon" is the position "attitude devant". It seems logical, and she IS a graduate of Vaganova Academy, but I have most russian literature saying it is a "retiré" position.
ReplyDeletemy teacher graduated from the vaganova school and messed up terminology all of the time.
DeleteCould you correct the spelling of 'tire' on your page?
ReplyDeleteThe English pronunciation of "tier" sounds correct but the spelling might confuse people.
i was taught it was a turn with the leg traveling on the standing leg to/from retire to look like a corkscrew
ReplyDelete