Ballet Terms used in Ballroom

[DanceMentor]

With such a wealth of information available about ballet, much can be studied in ballet that compliments ballroom dance. Maybe we can offer some terms/positions/techniques that we have discussed in our ballroom lessons

The latest one I have been studying is Effacé where if the dancer is standing on the left leg, the upper body is turned to the left, and visa versa for the right. I often stand in this position and then examine things like the head position, and it helps me get practiced in shaping to the left or the right. Here is an image of the position.

Notice also how the chest on the right side is opened up.

What ballet terms have you been using?

(and to help jog your memory, here is a glossary of ballet terms from Wikipedia)

 

[latingal]

I'll add - cambre

 

[smidra86]

chasse is my add... I think Larinda covered the bulk.

I also learned that ballet is super harmful for a ballroom dancer. I was trained in ballet and when I started focusing on mostly standard/smooth there were a lot of things I had to unlearn that I still sometimes do unconsciously, such as turn out my feet and straighten my legs rather than keeping my knees slightly flexed.

 

[opendoor]

..here is a glossary of ballet terms from Wikipedia)

Thanks for sharing. Can someone tell me, why pivot isn´t a ballet term? Only found pirouette (which is a full 360° pivot).

 

[latingal]

I also learned that ballet is super harmful for a ballroom dancer.

We have threads in archive on discussions on this....have to say, I think the benefits outweighed the costs....

 

[GGinrhinestones]

I will add that although we share these names we don't use the exact shape with our bodies that a ballet trained person would find pleasing, in fact our version of these positions/actions are often found to be "ugly" in their eyes.

Interesting...my pro and I were having this very discussion in my lessons today. He was showing me how to do a correct rhonde in rhythm - and warning me that a ballerina would probably take issue with it.

 

[DanceMentor]

Interesting...my pro and I were having this very discussion in my lessons today. He was showing me how to do a correct rhonde in rhythm - and warning me that a ballerina would probably take issue with it.

I think what is more important is having that conversation. Why would the ballet person take issue?

 

[debmc]

I also learned that ballet is super harmful for a ballroom dancer..

I would have to disagree. Most of the time when I see a fabulous ballroom dancer they have a ballet background. Of course there are some things that you may have to unlearn, but the pros way out weigh the cons. In fact I think most of the top professional dancers competing today and many of the top pro am dancers have had ballet or jazz in their dance background.

 

[GGinrhinestones]

I think what is more important is having that conversation. Why would the ballet person take issue?

Admittedly, my attention was starting to wander at that point so I don't remember all the details, but it had something to do with the "ballroom" version of a rhonde involving more hip twist, foot rotation (of the standing leg) and ribcage movement than a ballet rhonde. Or something to that effect. Not having a ballet background myself, I was more focused on what the rhonde should feel like in the rumba than the difference from ballet. I do remember that the key characteristic of the rhonde - rotation from the hip socket and turnout of the foot - is pretty much the same in both.

 

[DL]

One of my ballroom teachers fondly employed "pas de bourrée".

 

[rbazsz]

Some terms sound the same but mean very different things. "Promenade" is one such example.

I totally disagree that ballet training harms ballroom. Especially for adults that begin dance late in life, ballet is very helpful. I have had ballet lessons and feel that it has given me a huge edge over guys my age that are new to dance.

 

[madmaximus]

In QS my first teacher loved these 3 words:

elevé
relevé
allegro

When I practice QS locks, I can still hear her singsong voice echo in my head. "elevé, relevé, elevé, relevé, elevé, relevé..."

And the "This is a happy, happy, happy dance! You should be ALLEGRO!!!".




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