Classical choreography for adults and children

Classical choreography is the basis on which all dance art is held. Having learned all its subtleties, you can master any genre that you like.

How did the classical choreography come about?

Dance is one of the oldest arts. From time immemorial through the movements of the body, people expressed their emotions, experiences and even communicated with higher powers. Needless to say, each of the numerous nationalities inhabiting the planet has its own specific dances, the characteristics of which are related to cultural, social and everyday traditions. Classical choreography absorbed the most beautiful, graceful and harmonious movements that existed in dance cultures of different peoples.

Despite all of the above, this art is young. The age of classical choreography (in its current form) is not more than 400 years. Her appearance is due to the Italian nobility. In the Renaissance in the northern regions of the country, no one did without dancing. The predecessors of modern choreographers were the dancers who served at the royal court. They have developed those uniform standards (a kind of "dance etiquette"), which we are guided by today.

How did the terminology of classical dance?

By the 16th century classical choreography had spread throughout Europe. But the epicenter of the development of this art was France. Since the founding of the Royal Dance Academy in Paris, the choreography has become not just a court entertainment, but an independent direction of art. In 100 years Raul Feye created a system of elements of classical dance. To each of them he gave the French name. Now all the dancers of the world use them in their professional vocabulary.

Basic concepts

Classical choreography for adults and children consists of the same elements, but the complexity and technique of performance will be significantly different. Nevertheless, the basic concepts and requirements remain unchanged.

The first and most important condition is a good turnout. This is the ability to unfold the hip joint outward, which allows the leg and foot, in particular, to take the basic positions. Even if this property is not given to a person from birth, it is quite possible to work out by regular and zealous pursuits.

The pose is a static figure, which is determined by the position of the body, limbs and dancer's head. Depending on the position relative to the auditorium, postures can be open or closed. The main include croise (croisee), effacee, ecartee and arabesques.

Positions are the basic positions of the limbs. If we are talking about feet, then they must, of course, be on the floor. It is positions that determine the correct position of the body, give him grace, and dance - expressiveness.

Leg positions

The school of classical choreography, often begins with the development of turnout, which allows the legs to take the main positions. They are distinguished by six:

• The first position - the feet come in contact with the heels and are turned outwards, forming a straight line (or an angle of 180 degrees) on the floor;
• The second position is a derivative of the first (legs form the same straight line, but a distance equal to the size of one foot is formed between them);
• The third position - the heel of one foot is pressed to the middle of the other (thus, the feet, as before, form an angle of 180 degrees);
• Fourth position - the legs are parallel to each other at a distance equal to the length of one foot;
• The fifth position - the feet are tightly pressed together, while the socks and heels close each other;
• Sixth position - the feet are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the position of the body.

Positions of hands

The smooth movements of the hands give the dance beauty, tenderness and expressiveness. Nevertheless, in order to achieve results, it is important to know their basic positions, namely:

• Preparatory position - hands down, elbows and hands rounded;
• The first position - from the preparatory one should raise hands, fixing them in front of you at the level of the diaphragm;
• The second position - from the first position, hands should be spread apart (thus, the elbow and hands should not sag, but there should be slight rounding);
• The third position is raised from the first hand above the head.

The main groups of movements

A fairly complex science is choreography. Classical dance requires not only physical skills, but also theoretical knowledge. Thus, the following main groups of movements are distinguished;

• Plier (plier) - flexion of the legs in the knees;
• Etendre (etendre) - stretching the body and limbs;
• Relay (relever) - lifting on the half-toes;
• Glisser (glisser) - smooth glide of the foot on the floor;
• Saute (sauter) - jumping;
• Elance - a throw of the foot;
• Tour (tourner) - turn around.

This is the basis of the choreography, but far from an incomplete list of its positions. Dance is a smooth alternating shift of positions using these basic movements.

Exercise at the machine

The theater of classical choreography begins with an exercise at a special ballet machine. This is a set of exercises aimed at developing the musculoskeletal system. It is with the exercise begins any dancer. The complex includes the following basic exercises:

• Plie (plie) - smooth squatting in all known positions of the legs (can be half and deep), aimed at warming up muscles and ligaments.
• Battement tendu (batman tandu) - sliding the toe on the floor with the tension of the entire leg and pulling the rise (develops achilles and contributes to the overall development of muscles).
• Battement jete (batman zhete) - a low toe cast, accompanied by a sharp rupture of the legs and tension in the groin (development of the hip joint and ankle).
• Rond de jambe par terre (Ron de jambe parterre) - the working leg describes the circle on the floor (this exercise promotes the development of the turnout, and also heats the hip joint).
• En dehors - movements are directed forward with respect to the supporting leg;
• En dedans - the sock "draws" the circle in the opposite direction;
• Battement fondu (batman fondue) - smoothly and plastically the supporting leg descends to the "demyplie" position, and the worker at this time bends at the knee, touching the ankle with ankle (on the rise the elbow of the supporting leg is stretched, 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) - represents a sharp and low separation of the leg from the floor (as if the dancer touches a hot surface or a spiny needle).
• Battement releve lent is a slow rise of the leg to a height of not less than 90 degrees (the position is to be fixed for a few seconds, then to return to the original one).
• Grand battement jete - this exercise can be considered a complicated version of batman cheat, during which there is a sharp big gap between the legs (at the same time, the worker must rise 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. At the very beginning of the training exercises are carried out in an elementary basic character. Later, more complex combinations can be learned, aimed at the development of plasticity and grace.

Classical choreography for children

Perhaps, more often than in any other section, parents give their children to dance clubs. And even if in the future the child does not become a famous ballet artist, these lessons will not pass for him in vain. Benefits for children from choreography are as follows:

• The development of correct posture, as well as its correction;
• The formation of a muscular corset, which is designed to protect the spine from curvature;
• The 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 helps to 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 begin?

Strangely enough, classes of classical choreography begin with a dance step. It is the basis of any composition. The step should be clear, turning and plastic. In the course of training, an inadequate development of the Achilles, knee or hip joint may be revealed, which is corrected by regular training.

Another important point is the rack. The spine should be stretched strictly vertically, the buttocks and abdomen are tightened, the shoulder blades are pulled back, and the shoulders are lowered. If the body is in a relaxed position, stability will be lost, as well as equilibrium, and therefore no movement will be obtained. Of course, at first, it's hard enough to follow the posture, but after a few months of regular training, this position of the body becomes natural.

Conclusion

Modern classical choreography is the result of centuries-old work of 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 - it's not so much), the dance has evolved from a primitive expression of emotions and an element of mystical rituals into a real art that mankind never tires of admiring.

Unfortunately, many still consider choreography a frivolous occupation. Nevertheless, this is a whole science. And even if the dance does not become your profession or the passion of all life, the lessons 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.