Ballet Pedagogy I Final questions with
complete solutions
Main job of the ballet teacher - correct answer ✔✔ Emphasize technique in an anatomically
sound and safe efficiency, to prepare students to then alter the style of a movement/position
for the stage (you do not choreograph, you teach)
Benefits of having full technical control of the ballet movements - correct answer ✔✔ Allows
the dancer to alter their movements according to context, in a stylistic manner (once you have
the mechanics you can be thrown into any style)
Glasstone's definition of a dancer having good technique - correct answer ✔✔ "to be in control
of whatever it is one is doing" however, he does not only refer to dancing, but other elements
such as virtuosity (not just executing movement, but how it is executed)
The technical ability to do many pirouettes is considered - correct answer ✔✔ Virtuosity- to
have great understanding (not natural ability such as flexibility)
What are the foundations from which stylistic nuance can develop organically without
mannerism or affectation - correct answer ✔✔ Technical clarity and precision
First pedagogical principles underlining constructing an enchainment - correct answer ✔✔ A
good classroom enchainment should be anatomically sound, safe and efficient- movement
flowing from one step to another, appropriate for level, efficiency building correct muscles
(frappes translate to jumps)
Being musically aware is inextricably linked with the ability - correct answer ✔✔ To have ones
weight in the right place- coordination
,What should take precedence over stylistic nuance in the ballet teacher's order of priorities -
correct answer ✔✔ Technical clarity and control
To avoid confusing styles, one needs to take care not to confuse - correct answer ✔✔
Choreographic content of an adagio or allegro enchainment with its pedagogic value (once
dynamic is obtained, clean technique)
Factors in determining how close the body should be in relation to barre - correct answer ✔✔
1.) height 2.) length of arm 3.) position of feet 4.) sequence of particular exercise
Other important factors in regard to correct placement of the arm on the barre - correct answer
✔✔ The dancer's hand should be placed lightly on the barre, forward of the torso, no tension in
the elbow joint, engagement of the back
Students will have difficulty executing what if the hand is not placed correctly on the barre -
correct answer ✔✔ Fouetté from à la quatrième devant into arabesque
How should this fouetté be taught - correct answer ✔✔ In two halves
How should this fouetté first be taught - correct answer ✔✔ This movement should be executed
at first with the leg held low, turning to face the barre with the leg in à la second from à la
quatrieme devant- hand in line with shoulder on barre the other arm will now be in en haut
fifth. The fouetté will then continue into arabesque, releasing the barre hand from the barre,
moving forward of the torso as the body faces the new direction
Executing pirouettes at the barre - correct answer ✔✔ 1.) the hand tends to hold onto the barre
for an instant longer as the dancer starts to turn- resulting in distorted hips and shoulder
placement 2.) the hand should be anticipating releasing off the barre, initiating the turn
Exercises using the barre can help establish - correct answer ✔✔ Correct placement of the legs
and feet in the pirouette position (releve retiré hold)
,How can this exercise at the barre be developed further - correct answer ✔✔ Introducing a
quarter turn
What can the barre also teach students - correct answer ✔✔ Jump, and batterie (beats)
How can both jumps and batterie be done at the barre - correct answer ✔✔ In a corner spot,
the dancer's back to the corner and one hand placed on each barre, the student is able to
suspend themselves en l'air while feeling the articulate action of batterie, and strengthening
their muscles for jumps in center
Other ways the barre can help the student - correct answer ✔✔ 1.) weight shifts 2.) balance 3.)
stretching 4.) preparation for partnering (light touch on barre)
How should the fingers be grouped - correct answer ✔✔ Keeping the second and third fingers
more rounded than the others, with the thumb resting against the index finger
Consequences of not holding the fingers correctly - correct answer ✔✔ Tense hands, stiffness,
spiky fingers
Glasstone recommends eliminating what during certain barre exercises - correct answer ✔✔
The use of the arm- he prefers young students to bend their elbow and rest her hand lightly
across the chest, near the opposite shoulder
This arm position helps to acquire - correct answer ✔✔ 1.) correct posture/body placement 2.)
strengthening of the back
An allongé is - correct answer ✔✔ An elongation of the arm line- the wrists should to be
executed, as it disturbs the flow of the port de bras
, What is a good image to give students when executing an allongé - correct answer ✔✔ Allowing
the little fingers to trail through water as they lead the hands downwards from second position
During first arabesque, the line should appear - correct answer ✔✔ To extend outwards and
upwards, beyond the fingertips of the front hand- should look "in flight"
Pathway of the arms from 5th position en haut to 1st arabesque - correct answer ✔✔ The hand
should start lowering in its rounded shape, lead by the little finger before turning it gradually on
the pivot of the wrist until the palm is facing downwards. In the arabesque line, the hand will be
turned slightly outwards, but never inwards of in a straight flat line- horizontal with the arm
An incorrect tendency in the arabesque line - correct answer ✔✔ Turning the hand inwards, or
extended in a straight, flat-line, horizontal with the arm
Dancers should see what while in fifth en haut - correct answer ✔✔ The palms of their hands
How big is the space between the dancer's hands when in fifth - correct answer ✔✔ The width
of the dancer's face
What is the tendency for students to do, when the arms are raised from fifth en bas, to en avant
- correct answer ✔✔ Move the hands closer together as they are raised
What part of the body leads the movement when the arms open from en avant to second -
correct answer ✔✔ The tips of the fingers, tracing a generous, imaginary outward curve
through the air
What is the function of the musical introduction to an exercise - correct answer ✔✔ Indicate
precise tempo and character of accompaniment
complete solutions
Main job of the ballet teacher - correct answer ✔✔ Emphasize technique in an anatomically
sound and safe efficiency, to prepare students to then alter the style of a movement/position
for the stage (you do not choreograph, you teach)
Benefits of having full technical control of the ballet movements - correct answer ✔✔ Allows
the dancer to alter their movements according to context, in a stylistic manner (once you have
the mechanics you can be thrown into any style)
Glasstone's definition of a dancer having good technique - correct answer ✔✔ "to be in control
of whatever it is one is doing" however, he does not only refer to dancing, but other elements
such as virtuosity (not just executing movement, but how it is executed)
The technical ability to do many pirouettes is considered - correct answer ✔✔ Virtuosity- to
have great understanding (not natural ability such as flexibility)
What are the foundations from which stylistic nuance can develop organically without
mannerism or affectation - correct answer ✔✔ Technical clarity and precision
First pedagogical principles underlining constructing an enchainment - correct answer ✔✔ A
good classroom enchainment should be anatomically sound, safe and efficient- movement
flowing from one step to another, appropriate for level, efficiency building correct muscles
(frappes translate to jumps)
Being musically aware is inextricably linked with the ability - correct answer ✔✔ To have ones
weight in the right place- coordination
,What should take precedence over stylistic nuance in the ballet teacher's order of priorities -
correct answer ✔✔ Technical clarity and control
To avoid confusing styles, one needs to take care not to confuse - correct answer ✔✔
Choreographic content of an adagio or allegro enchainment with its pedagogic value (once
dynamic is obtained, clean technique)
Factors in determining how close the body should be in relation to barre - correct answer ✔✔
1.) height 2.) length of arm 3.) position of feet 4.) sequence of particular exercise
Other important factors in regard to correct placement of the arm on the barre - correct answer
✔✔ The dancer's hand should be placed lightly on the barre, forward of the torso, no tension in
the elbow joint, engagement of the back
Students will have difficulty executing what if the hand is not placed correctly on the barre -
correct answer ✔✔ Fouetté from à la quatrième devant into arabesque
How should this fouetté be taught - correct answer ✔✔ In two halves
How should this fouetté first be taught - correct answer ✔✔ This movement should be executed
at first with the leg held low, turning to face the barre with the leg in à la second from à la
quatrieme devant- hand in line with shoulder on barre the other arm will now be in en haut
fifth. The fouetté will then continue into arabesque, releasing the barre hand from the barre,
moving forward of the torso as the body faces the new direction
Executing pirouettes at the barre - correct answer ✔✔ 1.) the hand tends to hold onto the barre
for an instant longer as the dancer starts to turn- resulting in distorted hips and shoulder
placement 2.) the hand should be anticipating releasing off the barre, initiating the turn
Exercises using the barre can help establish - correct answer ✔✔ Correct placement of the legs
and feet in the pirouette position (releve retiré hold)
,How can this exercise at the barre be developed further - correct answer ✔✔ Introducing a
quarter turn
What can the barre also teach students - correct answer ✔✔ Jump, and batterie (beats)
How can both jumps and batterie be done at the barre - correct answer ✔✔ In a corner spot,
the dancer's back to the corner and one hand placed on each barre, the student is able to
suspend themselves en l'air while feeling the articulate action of batterie, and strengthening
their muscles for jumps in center
Other ways the barre can help the student - correct answer ✔✔ 1.) weight shifts 2.) balance 3.)
stretching 4.) preparation for partnering (light touch on barre)
How should the fingers be grouped - correct answer ✔✔ Keeping the second and third fingers
more rounded than the others, with the thumb resting against the index finger
Consequences of not holding the fingers correctly - correct answer ✔✔ Tense hands, stiffness,
spiky fingers
Glasstone recommends eliminating what during certain barre exercises - correct answer ✔✔
The use of the arm- he prefers young students to bend their elbow and rest her hand lightly
across the chest, near the opposite shoulder
This arm position helps to acquire - correct answer ✔✔ 1.) correct posture/body placement 2.)
strengthening of the back
An allongé is - correct answer ✔✔ An elongation of the arm line- the wrists should to be
executed, as it disturbs the flow of the port de bras
, What is a good image to give students when executing an allongé - correct answer ✔✔ Allowing
the little fingers to trail through water as they lead the hands downwards from second position
During first arabesque, the line should appear - correct answer ✔✔ To extend outwards and
upwards, beyond the fingertips of the front hand- should look "in flight"
Pathway of the arms from 5th position en haut to 1st arabesque - correct answer ✔✔ The hand
should start lowering in its rounded shape, lead by the little finger before turning it gradually on
the pivot of the wrist until the palm is facing downwards. In the arabesque line, the hand will be
turned slightly outwards, but never inwards of in a straight flat line- horizontal with the arm
An incorrect tendency in the arabesque line - correct answer ✔✔ Turning the hand inwards, or
extended in a straight, flat-line, horizontal with the arm
Dancers should see what while in fifth en haut - correct answer ✔✔ The palms of their hands
How big is the space between the dancer's hands when in fifth - correct answer ✔✔ The width
of the dancer's face
What is the tendency for students to do, when the arms are raised from fifth en bas, to en avant
- correct answer ✔✔ Move the hands closer together as they are raised
What part of the body leads the movement when the arms open from en avant to second -
correct answer ✔✔ The tips of the fingers, tracing a generous, imaginary outward curve
through the air
What is the function of the musical introduction to an exercise - correct answer ✔✔ Indicate
precise tempo and character of accompaniment
