Name that ballet step!en>frfr>en By snot85 Comments: 4351, member since Mon Jun 20, 2005
On Sat Jan 28, 2012 01:33 PM
I feel so stupid asking you guys this because I should know what this step is called, but I can't for the life of me remember what it is! It's step I've seen a hundred thousand times before, especially in the older, classical ballets.
It's like an assemble (and might even have assemble in its name). If you started with your right foot in front in 5th position, you would brush the left out to the side while jumping, the right would come in through passe, and then meet the left on the way back down to 5th position.
It's in this video as well at about :25. I usually see this step performed by women more than men.
Help?
On a sidenote, after joking around with my advanced ballet class about the name of the step, we've decided to call it a "Troll" in the meantime. They love it!
re: Name that ballet step!en>frfr>en By AlwaysOnStage Comments: 6625, member since Sun Apr 18, 2004
On Sat Jan 28, 2012 04:20 PM
^Lol...I think I had heard of a Russian pas de chat. The way I have it organized in my head is as follows:
(Regular) Pas de Chat:
Each leg, individually, goes up into a high passe position so that at the peak both legs are in a passe toes pointed together before landing individually.
Grand Pas de Chat: (Also been called Grand Changement)
Jump begins on both feet, both feet leave the ground at the same time and peak at the same position as the regular pas de chat, and then lands, both feet, at the same time.
Russian Pas de Chat:
Individual legs take off. The leading leg passes through passe faster and then straightens (develope) into an extended side position (stylistically can be low or parallel to the ground, usually not higher), and feet land individual. (I have seen them landing together) . Defining feature: leading leg goes passe before straightening.
Italian Pas de Chat:
Individual legs take off in turn. Leading leg brushes and continues straight, the following leg peaks in the passe position. Then feet land individual (also done together). Defining feature: leading leg remains straight.
Tons of variations, eh? It'f fun to think about, but hard to get consistent names.
re: Name that ballet step!en>frfr>en By snot85 Comments: 4351, member since Mon Jun 20, 2005
On Mon Jan 30, 2012 08:42 AM
Dream_chaser wrote:
snot85 wrote:
You guys are awesome! Thanks so much. Guess we can stop calling it a "Troll" now.
Though troll has an interesting ring to it.
Yep. And my students are obsessed with "the troll." For instance, they asked if we could all "troll" across the stage during their recital routine. If someone does a "troll" coming at you, you've been "trolled." And if you do several "trolls" in a series, it's called "trolling." I don't know if Grande Pas De Chat has the same ring to it...
re: Name that ballet step!en>frfr>en By CarabosseK Comments: 1252, member since Fri Feb 22, 2008
On Mon Jan 30, 2012 08:59 AM
I also invented the term chembs lie...it's a combination of chasse, tombe, and temps lie. As in chembs lie pas de bourree. I don't like a straight tombe...or a chasse...or a temps lie...so I combined them. It's a beautiful step
re: Name that ballet step!en>frfr>en By snot85 Comments: 4351, member since Mon Jun 20, 2005
On Mon Feb 06, 2012 09:10 AM
One of my students found this neat website called The Ballet Bag. The grand pas de chat is midway down this page. It's pretty cool because it offers pictures and videos of most steps. Check it out.
