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===First position=== |
===First position=== |
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[[ |
[[File:Ballet feet 1st position.png|left|thumb|upright=0.75|First position]] |
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The feet are aligned and touching heel to heel, making as nearly a straight alignment as possible. The knees are also touching with legs straightened. |
The feet are aligned and touching heel to heel, making as nearly a straight alignment as possible. The knees are also touching with legs straightened. |
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{{clear}} |
{{clear}} |
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===Second position=== |
===Second position=== |
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[[ |
[[File:Ballet feet 2nd position.png|left|thumb|upright=0.75|Second position]] |
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The feet are aligned as in first position, but with heels spaced approximately twelve inches apart. |
The feet are aligned as in first position, but with heels spaced approximately twelve inches apart. |
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{{clear}} |
{{clear}} |
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===Third position=== |
===Third position=== |
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[[ |
[[File:Ballet feet 3rd position.png|left|thumb|upright=0.75|Third position]] |
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One foot is placed in front of the other so that the heel of the front foot is near the arch of the back foot. There are two third positions, depending on which foot is in front. |
One foot is placed in front of the other so that the heel of the front foot is near the arch of the back foot. There are two third positions, depending on which foot is in front. |
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{{clear}} |
{{clear}} |
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===Fourth position=== |
===Fourth position=== |
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[[ |
[[File:Ballet feet open 4th position.png|left|thumb|upright=0.75|Open fourth position. Note that the heels are lined up, one directly in front of the other.]] |
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[[File:Ballet feet closed 4th position.png|left|thumb|upright=0.75|Closed fourth position. Note that the heel of each foot is lined up with the toe of the other foot.]] |
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[[Image:Ballett4.Position.JPG|left|thumb|Open fourth position]] |
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There are two types of fourth position: ''open'' and ''closed''. In both cases, one foot is placed approximately twelve inches in front of the other. In open fourth position the heels are aligned, while in closed fourth position the heel of the front foot is aligned with the toe of the back foot. There are two variations of each type of fourth position, as determined by which foot is in front. |
There are two types of fourth position: ''open'' and ''closed''. In both cases, one foot is placed approximately twelve inches in front of the other. In open fourth position the heels are aligned, while in closed fourth position the heel of the front foot is aligned with the toe of the back foot. There are two variations of each type of fourth position, as determined by which foot is in front. |
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{{clear}} |
{{clear}} |
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===Fifth position=== |
===Fifth position=== |
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[[ |
[[File:Ballet feet 5th position.png|left|thumb|upright=0.75|Fifth position]] |
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One foot is placed in front of, and in contact with the other, with the heel of one foot aligned with the toe of the other foot. There are two fifth positions, depending on which foot is in front.{{clear}} |
One foot is placed in front of, and in contact with the other, with the heel of one foot aligned with the toe of the other foot. There are two fifth positions, depending on which foot is in front.{{clear}} |
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==Lifar's additional positions== |
==Lifar's additional positions== |
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===Sixth position=== |
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[[File:Ballet feet 6th position.png|right|thumb|upright=0.75|Sixth position]] |
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Parallel feet, as in ''pas couru sur les pointes en avant'' or ''en arrière''. |
Parallel feet, as in ''pas couru sur les pointes en avant'' or ''en arrière''. |
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===Seventh position=== |
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[[File:Ballet feet 7th position.png|right|thumb|upright=0.75|Seventh position]] |
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Similar to fourth position, but performed ''[[en pointe]]'' with heels in line. There are two seventh positions, determined by whether the left or right foot is placed in front. |
Similar to fourth position, but performed ''[[en pointe]]'' with heels in line. There are two seventh positions, determined by whether the left or right foot is placed in front. |
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Revision as of 07:08, 22 September 2014
The positions of the feet in ballet is a fundamental part of classical ballet technique that defines standard placements of feet on the floor. There are five basic positions in modern-day classical ballet, known as the first through fifth positions. These five positions were codified by French choreographer and dancer Pierre Beauchamp in the late 17th century. Two additional positions, known as the sixth and seventh positions, were codified by Serge Lifar in the 1930s while serving as Ballet Master at the Paris Opéra Ballet, though their use is limited to Lifar's choreographies.[1][2] The sixth and seventh positions were not Lifar's inventions, but revivals of positions that already existed in the eighteenth century, when there were ten positions of the feet in classical ballet.[3]
Five basic positions
All of the five basic positions require the feet to be flat on the floor and turned out (pointing in opposite directions as a result of rotating the legs at the hips).
First position
The feet are aligned and touching heel to heel, making as nearly a straight alignment as possible. The knees are also touching with legs straightened.
Second position
The feet are aligned as in first position, but with heels spaced approximately twelve inches apart.
Third position
One foot is placed in front of the other so that the heel of the front foot is near the arch of the back foot. There are two third positions, depending on which foot is in front.
Fourth position
There are two types of fourth position: open and closed. In both cases, one foot is placed approximately twelve inches in front of the other. In open fourth position the heels are aligned, while in closed fourth position the heel of the front foot is aligned with the toe of the back foot. There are two variations of each type of fourth position, as determined by which foot is in front.
Fifth position
One foot is placed in front of, and in contact with the other, with the heel of one foot aligned with the toe of the other foot. There are two fifth positions, depending on which foot is in front.
Lifar's additional positions
Sixth position
Parallel feet, as in pas couru sur les pointes en avant or en arrière.
Seventh position
Similar to fourth position, but performed en pointe with heels in line. There are two seventh positions, determined by whether the left or right foot is placed in front.
References
- ^ Lifar on Classical Ballet
- ^ Ries, Frank W. D. (1986). The Dance theatre of Jean Cocteau. Ann Arbor: University Microfilms International Research Press. p. 132. ISBN 0-8357-1994-4.
- ^ Paolacci, Claire (2004). "Serge Lifar and the Paris Opera during World War II". Journal of the Oxford University History Society: 8.