Glissade -- What are the proper steps???

[Agnes1022]

When I do a glissade, the gliding foot's heel leaves the floor. Then both feet meet together in 5th. The effect though looks more like a low-height jump than a smooth gliding motion.

 

What is the correct sequence and correct positions (leg, arms, head) when doing a glissade?

[Mel Johnson]

Plain-vanilla, it's just from a demi-plié in fifth, tendu the gesture foot to the side, go through a very momentary second position sur les pointes even if you aren't wearing pointe shoes, then close in fifth demi-plié.

[Victoria Leigh]

I have always taught it with a dégagé, although a very slight one, like barely off the floor, and going up and over through the leading foot as the other foot leaves the floor and then slides into the plié fifth.

[Doubleturn]

It depends how fast the enchainment is. If it is slow and smooth, then glissade is a terre à terre movement and the toes do not leave the floor. If it is part of an allegro, then yes the toes may leave the floor a little.

[Redbookish]

Agnes, although we can't post there, as we're not teachers, I'm finding the thread about Glissade Technique in the Teachers forum really informative reading. That might hellp.

 

You could also look at the demonstration of the glissade in the ABT's on-line ballet dictionary.

 

As for the correct position of arms & head, I think (and I hope the Teacher Moderators will correct me if I'm wrong ) that arms and head can be set in a number of ways; basically, as the teacher/choreographer sets them for any particular enchainement.

[Agnes1022]

Thanks everyone.

 

On the subject of arms and head, what are the basic start-to-end positions when executing a grand jete entournant entrelacé? In class, we do the tour jeté by itself across the floor.

[Victoria Leigh]

Agnes, the arms in grand jeté entournant entrelacé go from 5th en bas up to 5th en haut, and then, as you land they go to whatever arabesque position the teacher selects.

[Agnes1022]

5th en bas/en haut are not terms we use in my Russian style class. Is 5th en haut the equivalent of the Russian 3rd position, and what would be the equiv of 5th en bas? Maybe you can describe where each arm is positioned in the 5th en bas?

[Victoria Leigh]

5th en haut is the same as Russian 3rd. 5th en bas is like bras bas, or preparatory position. It's the same position of the arms as 1st and 3rd but at the lowest level.

[Agnes1022]

5th en haut is the same as Russian 3rd. 5th en bas is like bras bas, or preparatory position. It's the same position of the arms as 1st and 3rd but at the lowest level.

 

 

Thank you.