Russian vs. Cecchetti

[Guest dances4fun]

I've been taking Russian technique at a local studio now for about a year and I absolutely love it. I took about 8 years off from dancing and started back up at the age of 19. The problem is....at my university I'm now taking a ballet class there and the teacher is teaching the Cecchetti syllabus. It's confusing and frustrating because I'm used to Russian. Unfortunately, there is no way to find out what technique the dance teachers at my school teach before the class/semester starts. Has anyone been in a situation like this? Any tips?

[Swanilda]

Just because you like the Russian technique doesn't mean that you won't like aspects of the Cecchitti technique as well. A good class is a good class. What particuarly is the problem?

[Guest kristinene]

Hi dances4fun,

 

I had similar confusion and frustration in high school when I went back to ballet at a different studio. I understand precisely your dilema. I think the best advice I can offer is to stick it out - you will get used to it. And with that will come understanding and comfort with that technique. Good luck!

[Daniil]

Well, can someone explain me the "Cecchetti syllabus". I don't know what it is

[Mel Johnson]

OK, Daniil, a syllabus is part of a larger learning design called a curriculum. The curriculum organizes the courses into grades, or years, or levels, and the syllabus declares what will be taught in each of those divisions. There is a further narrowing down into lesson plans, as the teacher chooses what to introduce, and when. Some systems try to regularize these, but in practice it just doesn't work and that job is left to the teacher to organize with the students s/he has. Every system or method has them, but Swanilda is right, with a few differences in the names of things, good technique is good technique. A few things are executed differently, as a Cecchetti frappé brushes or strikes the ground and a Legat or Vaganova one doesn't. Not a big deal.

 

There are eight levels to the Cecchetti curriculum, but by the time you're done, you know just about the same things that the Russian dancer does, you've just arrived at it via a different route!

[cassy]

that was a great description of the cecchetti syllabus, im new to ballet altogether and was wondering the main differences between the different styles/methods.

 

thanks again,

cassy

[Guest dances4fun]

I'm going to stick it out. The teacher who is teaching the class is AMAZING, it's just difficult to adapt to some of the technical differences between Russian and Cecchetti. I'm doing one thing in my university class and then when I go to the studio, it's done in a different manner. As Mel pointed out, the frappés are different. Should I read up on Cecchetti technique so I will know what the teacher is looking for in the different steps? I just want to be able to succeed.

[Redbookish]

I've done quite a bit of Cecchetti, but mixed in with open classes, and I really love exposure to different teachers' styles. I wish I had access to a Russian style teacher here. If you think of each class as just a different teacher's style does that help? Although I know there are some positions and terms that are different (I love the Cecchetti fourth arm position!), you should pick it up quite quickly. There are different names for some steps and exercises (fifth or fifth en haut; battement degagé or battement glissé). The Cecchetti style is quite 'dancey' and can be a lot of fun (but maybe that was the way I was taught it!).

 

Kate

[Mel Johnson]

Yes, reading will help. I've often said that the best $5 anyone can spend goes for the Gail Grant Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet. That way you get the Cecchetti names and everybody else's beside!

[Redbookish]

I also find Cyril Beamont's book on Cecchetti technique really useful.

 

I think Dover do a good, cheap reprint. But can I put my hands on it in my study ??!!

 

Kate (who has too many books ... )

[Guest dances4fun]

Thank you for all of your help! I really appreciate it. It's interesting to be exposed to two different techniques. I will definitely check out those books that are mentioned!

[Swanilda]

Also talk to your teacher. Let her know that you enjoy her classes and want to succeed, but that you are having certain problems. She should be able to reccommend books as well as give you some help herself. I teach the Cecchitti method myself, and have had a few students with very Vaganova backgrounds. When I know this, I'll generally make a point of clarifying things "ie. now we'll turn with the arms en avant, which is called first in some schools, ect."