What You'll Learn
- Coordinating the port de bras with the specific timing of small jumps.
- Techniques to improve height and suspension during an assemblé.
- The distinct weight shifts required for a glissade versus a sissonne.
- How to achieve silent, soft landings in plié to protect your joints.
- Strategies for increasing speed without sacrificing balletic form.
About This Video
Petite allegro is one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of ballet training, requiring a unique blend of speed, precision, and grace. In this practice session from Broche Ballet, we dive deep into a classic combination featuring the glissade, assemblé, sissonne, soubresaut, and changement. Whether you are practicing in a studio or a home space, these small jumps build the essential cardiovascular endurance and foot strength necessary for advanced allegro work.
The lesson begins with a detailed breakdown of the choreography, focusing on the distinct mechanics of each movement. You will learn why the glissade requires a shoulder-driven energy, while the assemblé benefits from a slight 'hang back' to achieve a moment of suspension in the air. The instructor emphasizes the transition into the sissonne, treating it as a driving movement that propels the body forward, contrasted with the verticality of the soubresaut.
A significant portion of this class is dedicated to port de bras. Many dancers struggle with arm coordination during fast footwork, but here you will learn how the arms actually assist your elevation. By timing your port de bras correctly, you can gain more height in your changement and maintain a more poised upper body.
Throughout the practice, the tempo gradually increases, challenging your ability to maintain clean positions under pressure. You will also focus on the artistry of the landing; the instructor provides cues on how to achieve a soft plié and separate the movement of the arms from the legs to ensure a fluid, professional look. By the end of this session, you will have a stronger grasp of how to connect these fundamental jumps into a seamless, musical phrase.
