2 3 Saturday Pedestals and Hood Ornaments | Ballet Webb

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Saturday Pedestals and Hood Ornaments


Saturday Pedestals and Hood Ornaments

 Back in November I blogged about promenades in general:

Today I’m going to cover the arabesque promenade.  It’s a lovely step, designed to show the dancer from every angle.  The problem occurs when the position is compromised because the dancer fails to maintain the arabesque and instead tries to steer the movement – usually with the front arm.

The arabesque should be thought of as a living, breathing piece of sculpture – it only moves from the base (the supporting leg), with the turn-out, of course, being maintained at all times.  No twisting is allowed!

I tell my students to imagine being on a slowly rotating pedestal (the supporting foot), and to see every wall in the room as they pass by.  At no time should the front arm precede the rest of the body (steer), because the hood ornament (the hand) never steers the car.  It is helpful to have a photograph of an actual hood ornament on hand for those students who are unfamiliar with these objects.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #14i:  
In an arabesque promenade, remember that the hood ornament doesn't steer the car.

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