Description

This article is from the Ballet and Modern Dance FAQ, by Tom Parsons twp@panix.com with numerous contributions by others.

2.11. What are all these "positions?"

There are positions for the arms, and the feet. Different schools number
the arm positions differently, but the positions of the feet have been
fixed since the time of Beauchamps (Question 4.5).

The positions of the feet are as follows: In first position, the
heels are together. In second position, the feet are separated so there is
a distance between the heels roughly equal to the length of a foot. In
third position, one foot is right in front of the other, with the two feet
partly overlapping. In fourth position, one foot is in front of the other,
but there is a space between the feet. Fifth position is like third,
except that the overlap is complete.

If we represent the foot by o---- (where o is the heel), and if the
feet are fully turned out, then we can sketch the positions as follows.
(How well these sketches turn out may depend on how your software handles
strings of blanks.)

        First:  ----oo----              Second: ----o    o----

        Third:      o----               Fifth:      o----
                  ----o                             ----o

                                o----
                    Fourth:
  
                                ----o

These are the basics, but there are some fine points. The Cecchetti fifth
is a little less strongly crossed than a Russian fifth, and dancers make a
distinction beween a closed fourth (shown) and an open fourth.

 

Continue to:

• prev: 2.10 What is a tutu...and why do they call it that?
• Index
• next: 2.12. What is "placement?"

Share and Enjoy

Tags

ballet, modern dance, books, dancewear, positions, ballerina, male dancer, choreographer