2 3 Fun Friday Adage | Ballet Webb

Friday, June 24, 2016

Fun Friday Adage



Fun Friday Adage

Ahhhh – those awe inspiring adagios with high, extended développés!  One could even say that these combinations are the epitome of ballet. 

The word “adage” is French, but it comes from the Italian “ad agio” meaning at ease or leisure. So is it adage or adagio? French ballet teachers use the word “adage” most frequently, but Americans usually use “adagio”. Some teachers use the terms interchangeably.

To make an adagio breathtaking requires exquisite control of the legs and body placement, so that the dancer appears to be moving effortlessly in slow motion, with no discernible seams visible between steps. Not easy!

It helps to imagine moving through something besides air. Butter, molasses, water….whatever works for you. Try a few développés in a swimming pool. This will provide the sensation necessary to move with the same resistance through the air.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Ballet Secret #11j:  
The word “adage” is French, but it comes from the Italian “ad agio” meaning at ease or leisure.

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