Petit allegro exercises are normally performed to a 2/4 time signature. This is the numbers of beats in each measure i.e. for each count of 4 there will be 2 beats per count. This helps when performing petit allegro exercises which usually have a 1 2 action.
An example of a petit allegro exercise is a glissade. This is a linking step with gives the appearance of gliding though the air. Below I will discuss the different glissade which travel to the side.
GLISSADE DERRIERE: Starts with the back foot which finishes to the back.
1. Demi plié in fifth position
2. The back foot glides along the floor with the toe lifted a few inches off the floor
3. The front foot pushes the floor so that both feet are suspended in the air for a moment
4. Land on the back leg with the front leg in the air a few inches from the floor
5. The front foot comes back to the front in a demi plie fifth position.
GLISSADE DEVANT: Starts with the front foot which finishes to the front.
1. Demi plié in fifth position
2. The front foot glides along the floor with the toe lifted a few inches off the floor
3. The back foot pushes the floor so that both feet are suspended in the air for a moment
4. Land on the front foot with the back foot in the air a few inches from the floor
5. The back foot comes back to the back in a demi plié fifth position.
GLISSADE UNDER (DESSOUS): Starts with the front foot which finishes to the back.
1. Demi plié in fifth position
2. The back foot glides along the floor with the toe lifted a few inches off the floor
3. The front foot pushes the floor so that both feet are suspended in the air for a moment
4. Land on the back leg with the front leg in the air a few inches from the floor
5. The front leg comes to the back in a demi plié fifth position.
GLISSADE OVER (DESSUS): starts with the back foot which finishes to the front.
1. Demi plié in fifth position
2. The front foot glides along the floor with the toe lifted a few inches off the floor
3. The back foot pushes the floor so that both feet are suspended in the air for a moment
4. Land on the front foot with the back foot in the air a few inches from the floor
5. The back foot comes to the front in a demi plié fifth position
At Balletic we follow the bbodance ballet syllabus which in turn uses the ‘Gail Grant Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet‘ for all of it‘s terminology. Diagrams may be different to what you are used to based on the school of ballet that you follow.