Theory For The Graded Ballet Examinations
Candidates may be asked up to 3 questions. These may be chosen from the previous grade and from the following.
GRADE ONE
Degage – Disengage/to release the foot from a closed to an open position
Demi – Half
Plie – Bend
Battement – Beat
Tendu – Stretch
En Croix – In the shape of a cross
Grand – Large
Retire – Draw up
Adage – Slow movements
Coupe – Cut/ to cut the weight of the body from one foot to the other
Chasse – Slide
Fondu – Melt/a bend on the supporting leg
Glissade – Glide
Petit – Small
Jete – Throw
Saute – Spring
Echappe – Escape
Pose – Place
Temps leve – Hop
Devant – Front
Derriere – Back
En avant – Travelling forwards
GRADE TWO
Candidates may be asked up to 3 questions. These may be chosen from the previous grade and from the following.
Assemble – Assemble/join together
Soutenu – Sustain/Hold
En Dehors – Outwards
En Dedans – Inwards
En Arriere – Travelling Backwards
Releve – Rise/ A snatch of the feet
Ports De Bras – Carriage of the arms
Croise – Crossed
Ouvert – Open
En Face – Facing (The audience)
Passe – Pass
Enchainement – Chain of steps/ Linking together of two or more steps
Changement – Change
Soubresaut – Simple jump without a change of feet.
GRADE THREE
Candidates may be asked up to 3 questions. These may be chosen from the previous grade and from the following.
Rond De Jambe – Circle of the leg
A Terre – On the ground
Arabesque – Represents the shape of a bow/ a position on one leg, the other in 4th position, 1st a terre or en l’air
De Cote – Facing the side
Demi – Detourne – Half a turn towards the back foot
Pas De Chat – Step of a cat
Pass De Bourree – Small running steps/ Consisting of three movements (5th, 2nd, 5th)
Pas De Basque – A step from the basque country representing the swirl of a skirt
Sissone – A scissor movement from two feet onto one foot.
GRADE FOUR
Candidates may be asked up to 3 questions. These may be chosen from the previous grade and from the following.
Developpe – Unfold
Frappe – Strike/Hit
Pirouette – Spin on one leg
En L’air – In the air
Attitude – A position on one leg, the other in 4th opposite 5th a terre or en l’air.
GRADE FIVE
Candidates may be asked up to 3 questions. These may be chosen from the previous grade and from the following.
Sur-le-cou-pied – The neck of the foot
Epaulment – Use of the shoulders with one shoulder forward the other back; the head over the front over the front shoulder; the turn coming from the upper back bounce.
Ballonne – Bounce
Simple – A simple ballone with the accent on the inward movement
Compose – A compound step with the accent on the outward movement followed by a step and close
Demi Contretemps – Temps leve in arabesque followed by a chasse passé en avant
Battu – Beaten
GRADE SIX
candidates may be asked up to 3 questions. These may be chosen from the previous grade and from the following.
En Cloche – Bell-like preparation fro Gran Allegro
Fouette – Whip
Ex. For Fouette – Preparation for Fouette of Adage in the centre and Grand Allegro Fouette movements
Battements sur le cou-de-pied – Preparation for beaten work
Contretemps – Against time/ Coupe under, Chasse en avant, Temps leve in arabesque, Chasse passé enavant
Fermee – Closed
Knowledge of the Purpose of the Exercise on the Barre is required –
Q.What is the purpose of performing plies at the beginning of a ballet class?
A.Plies help to:
– Warm up all the muscles in the legs
– Strengthen the legs
– Establish turn-out
– Sustain the upright position of the body
Q.What is the purpose of Grands Battements en cloche?
A.The main purpose of grand battements is to loosen and strengthen the legs. Battement en cloche develops the fullest range of movement.
Q.What is the purpose of the Preparatory Exercise for Fouette Rond de Jambe on Tournant?
A.This exercise helps to establish coordination and balance ready for turning.
Q.What is the purpose of Battements sur le cou-de-pied?
A.The exercise develops speed and control in the use of the lower leg, preparatory to beaten steps. It also helps understanding of how some part of the leg can move independently of the others.
Q.What is the purpose of Exercise for Fouette of Adage?
A.All adage movements help to develop the slow, smooth control of the legs and the strengthening of the back. The fouette requires the ability to use the hinge-like movement of the torso and the hip joint as the working leg circles from side to back, and to centre the weight over the supporting leg.