What You'll Learn
- The mechanics of a low, fast glissade for better floor coverage and fluidity.
- How to use the toes to execute a sharp brush or frappé action during jetés.
- Strategies for changing legs quickly during fast-paced petite allegro sequences.
- The vital relationship between plié and rhythmic coordination in dance.
About This Video
Welcome to Class #7 of the Broche Ballet Beginner Jump Series. In this session, we shift our focus toward the intricate details of speed and coordination within petite allegro. While this series typically explores the mechanics of leaving the floor, this specific class emphasizes the foundational footwork and rapid coordination required for movement, making it accessible even for those without specialized dance flooring at home. As noted in our safety guidelines, if you are practicing on ceramic tile or concrete, it is best to keep these movements low-impact to protect your joints.
We dive deep into the mechanics of the glissade, a fundamental traveling step. You will learn the importance of staying low to the ground and maintaining a consistent plié to ensure speed and fluidity. Our instructor guides you through integrating the brush and close, ensuring your weight transitions are seamless. This level of precision is what differentiates a basic step from a truly polished ballet performance. By mastering the glissade now, you set the stage for more advanced traveling jumps in the future.
Next, we tackle the jeté. We break down the execution, focusing on how the toes perform a sharp frappé-like action against the floor. Understanding this "strike" or "brush" is crucial for developing the power and speed needed for petite allegro. We also cover the coordination required to change legs efficiently—a common challenge for beginner dancers. By practicing these sequences slowly and then increasing the tempo, you build the muscle memory necessary for complex dance combinations.
Throughout the class, we emphasize the connection between the plié, the brush of the leg, and the final close. This synergy is the engine behind all allegro work. Even when keeping the feet close to the floor, these exercises build significant strength and cardiovascular endurance. At Broche Ballet, we believe in mastering the technical mechanics before adding height to your sauté. Join us to sharpen your technique, improve your timing, and feel the rewarding sweat of a productive petite allegro session.
