2 3 Frappés and Snakes | Ballet Webb

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Frappés and Snakes



Frappés and Snakes

Yesterday I talked about the laser beam feeling of the frappé, and how frappés are designed to teach the dancer the correct physical attack needed for successful jumps. The problem comes in when teaching the quickness of attack required. Dancers often use their energy incorrectly: an even tempo in-out movement, instead of the quick out, then hold, rhythm that is necessary.

In order to develop the correct rhythm for frappés, I use a snake image: the foot moves from cou-de-pied to full extension very quickly – just like a snake striking. Then, at the point of full extension, the movement of the leg and foot stops, but the energy (laser beam) continues.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Secret #10a:
  “A frappé should move like a snake striking.”
 
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Quote of the Day:
  “I am always doing things I can’t do. That’s how I get to do them.”
-Pablo Picasso
 
 
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