Classical choreography is the foundation on which all dance art rests. Having known all its subtleties, you can master any genre that you like.
How did classical choreography come about?
Dance is one of the most ancient arts. Since time immemorial, through the movements of the body, people have expressed their emotions, feelings, and even communicated with higher powers. Needless to say, each of the many nationalities inhabiting the planet has its own specific dances, the characteristics of which are associated with cultural, social and everyday traditions. Classical choreography incorporates the most beautiful, elegant and harmonious movements that existed in the dance cultures of different nations.
Despite all of the above, this art is young. The age of classical choreography (in its current form) is not more than 400 years. Humanity owes its appearance to the Italian nobility. During the Renaissance in the northern regions of the country, not a single technique was complete without dancing. The forerunners of modern choreographers were dance masters who served at the royal court. It was they who developed those common standards (a kind of "dance etiquette") that we are guided by today.
How did the terminology of classical dance come about?
By the sixteenth century, classical choreography became widespread throughout Europe. But France became the epicenter of the development of this art. Since the founding of the Royal Dance Academy in Paris, choreography has become not just court entertainment, but an independent art movement. After another 100 years, Raoul Feye created a system of elements of classical dance. He gave each of them a French name. Now all the dancers of the world use them in their professional vocabulary.
Basic concepts
Classical choreography for adults and children is made up of the same elements, but the complexity and technique will differ significantly. However, the basic concepts and requirements remain unchanged.
The first and most important condition is a good eversion. This is the ability to turn the hip joint outward, which allows the foot and foot, in particular, to take the main positions. Even if this property is not given to a person from birth, it is quite possible to develop it through regular and hard work.
A pose is a static figure, which is determined by the position of the body, limbs and head of the dancer. Depending on the position relative to the auditorium, poses may be open or closed. The main ones include croise (croisee), efas (effacee), ecarte (ecartee) and arabesques (arabesques).
Positions are the basic positions of the limbs. If we are talking about the feet, then they, of course, must be on the floor. It is the positions that determine the correct position of the body, give it grace, and dance - expressiveness.
Foot position
The school of classical choreography, often begins with the development of eversion, which allows the legs to take basic positions. They are distinguished by six:
- first position - the feet are touching the heels and turned outward, forming a straight line on the floor (or an angle of 180 degrees);
- the second position is derived from the first (the legs form the same straight line, but a distance equal to the size of one foot forms between them);
- third position - the heel of one foot pressed to the middle of the other (while the legs, as before, form an angle of 180 degrees);
- fourth position - inverted legs are parallel to each other at a distance equal to the length of one foot;
- fifth position - the feet are tightly pressed against each other, while the socks and heels cover each other;
- sixth position - the feet are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the position of the body.
Hand positions
Smooth movements of the hands give the dance beauty, tenderness and expressiveness. However, in order to achieve a result, it is important to know their main positions, namely:
- preparatory position - hands down, elbows and hands rounded;
- first position - hands should be raised from the preparatory one, fixing them in front of you at the diaphragm level;
- second position - from the first position you should spread your arms to the sides (at the same time, the elbow and hands should not sag, but there should be a slight rounding);
- third position - from the first hand they raise above the head.
The main groups of movements
Choreography is a rather complicated science. Classical dance requires not only physical skills, but also theoretical knowledge. So, the following main groups of movements are distinguished;
- plie (plier) - bending the legs at the knees;
- ethandre (etendre) - stretching the body and limbs;
- releve (relever) - rise on half-fingers;
- glisser (glisser) - smooth sliding of the foot on the floor;
- saute (sauter) - jumping;
- elancer (elancer) - a throw of a leg;
- tour (tourner) - turn around you.
This is the basis of choreography, but a far from complete list of its positions. The dance is a smooth alternating change of position using the specified basic movements.
Exercise at the machine
The theater of classical choreography begins with an excercise at a special ballet machine. This is a set of exercises aimed at the development of the musculoskeletal system. It is with an exercise that any dancer begins his occupation. The complex includes the following basic exercises:
- Plie (plie) - a smooth squat in all known positions of the legs (can be half and deep), aimed at warming up muscles and ligaments.
- Battement tendu (batman tandyu) - slipping a sock on the floor with tension of the entire leg and stretching the lift (develops Achilles and contributes to the overall development of muscles).
- Battement jete (Batman Jete) - a low throw of the sock, accompanied by a sharp gap in the legs and tension in the inguinal region (development of the hip joint and ankle).
- Rond de jambe par terre (ron de jamb parter) - the working leg describes the circle on the floor (this exercise promotes the development of eversion, and also heats the hip joint).
- en dehors - movements are directed forward in relation to the supporting leg;
- en dedans - the sock "draws" a circle in the opposite direction;
- Battement fondu (Batman fondue) - the supporting leg smoothly and plastically lowers to the “demi-plie” position, while the worker bends at the knee, touching the ankle with his toe (the knee of the supporting leg extends and the worker straightens at an angle of 45 degrees).
- Battement frappe (Batman Froppe) - a sharp, energetic movement, during which the working leg "hugs" the foot of the ankle support.
- Battement pique (batman pique) - is a sharp and low separation of the legs from the floor (as if the dancer touches a hot surface or a prickly needle).
- Battement releve lent (Batman relevan Liang) - this is a slow leg lift to a height of not less than 90 degrees (the position should be fixed for a few seconds, and then return to its original position).
- Grand battement jete (Grand Batman Jet) - this exercise can be considered a complicated version of Batman Jet, during which there is a sharp large gap between the legs (at the same time, the worker must rise by at least 90 degrees).
It is worth noting that the exercises are done by the so-called cross, during which the leg alternately moves forward, to the side and back. Moreover, at the very beginning of training, exercises are performed in an elementary basic character. Later more complex combinations aimed at developing plasticity and grace can be learned.
Classical choreography for children
Perhaps more often than in any other sections, parents give their children to dance clubs. And even if in the future the child does not become a famous ballet dancer, these classes will not be in vain for him. The benefits for children of choreography are as follows:
- development of correct posture, as well as its correction;
- the formation of a muscle corset, which is designed to protect the spine from curvature;
- development of flexibility and physical endurance;
- prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- weight loss and maintaining optimal weight;
- normalization of the vestibular apparatus.
Among other things, regular choreography classes help develop a beautiful gait, natural grace and, of course, a harmonious figure (which is important for both girls and boys). Nevertheless, if there are problems with the cardiovascular system, training should be treated with caution. In some cases, they may be contraindicated.
Where does dance training begin?
Oddly enough, classical choreography classes begin with staging a dance step. It is he who is the basis of any composition. The step should be clear, inverted and flexible. In the course of training, insufficient development of the Achilles, knee or hip joint can be detected, which is corrected by regular classes.
Another important point is the stand. The spine should be stretched strictly vertically, the buttocks and abdomen tightened, the shoulder blades are brought back, and the shoulders are lowered down. If the body is in a relaxed position, stability and balance will be lost, and therefore no movements will be obtained. Of course, at first, it’s quite difficult to monitor posture, but after a few months of regular exercise, this position of the body becomes natural.
Output
Modern classical choreography is the result of centuries of work by practitioners and theorists who have created a unique system of movements and positions, as well as a language of dance that is understood throughout the world. In a relatively short time (on a historical scale of 400 years, this is not so much), the dance has transformed from a primitive expression of emotions and an element of mystical rituals into a real art that humanity never ceases to admire.
Unfortunately, many still consider choreography to be a frivolous activity. However, this is a whole science. And even if the dance does not become your profession or hobby of your whole life, the classes will not pass without a trace. Regular training will help you to form a beautiful figure and posture, develop a smooth gait, give your movements grace. In addition, you will be insured against many diseases of the musculoskeletal system.