2 3 Wacky Wednesday Broken Wing | Ballet Webb

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Wacky Wednesday Broken Wing



Wacky Wednesday Broken Wing

The back arm (the one in à la seconde) in arabesque can be a problem. In an attempt to “get the arm back” to parallel the arabesque leg, the arm is dropped downward and then lifted. This results in a twisted arm – a broken wing appearance – certainly not something anyone wants.

The back arm in arabesque only appears (or should appear) to be parallel to the working leg. It’s yet another balletic illusion. The arm is predominantly still in second (with the palm down), and is only extended back as far as the muscles in the upper arm and shoulder will allow.

This illusion becomes clear if the position is observed from the front, not the side. And arabesque (and attitude) are generally designed to be seen from the side – which is why the illusion of the arm works as well as it does.

Ah, the magic of classical ballet!

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Secret #18rr:
“Avoid the “broken wing” look of the arabesque arm in second.”

Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“The whole thing's illusion, [Jacob], and there's nothing wrong with that. It's what people want from us. It's what they expect.”
― Sara GruenWater for Elephants

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