Ballet Definitions                                                                                                          ► Tap            ► Jazz
Adagio (ah-dahzh) Slow controlled movement.
A la seconde (ah-la-suh-gawnd) Leg to the second position, either high or low.
Allegro (ah-leg-ro) Fast or brisk movement. Means joyous or lively.
Allongé (ah-lon-zhay) To make longer.  Extended, Outstretched.
Arabesque  (a-ra-besk) To extend leg with control directly behind the body at a 90' angle while holding it straight.
Assemblé (a-sahm-blay) Begin in 5th. Brush leg out to side, push off 2nd foot at same time and land again in 5th. Joined together.
A terre (a-tehr) A step done on the floor .... as opposed to in the air.  On the ground.
Attitude (a-tee-tewd) A pose on one leg, with the non-supporting leg bent. Similar to Arabesque.
Avant (Ay-vant) Forward.  To the front.
Balancé  (ba-lahn-say) A basic waltz step. A rocking step much like a step ball-change.
Ballon (ba-lawn) Bounce.  A light quality in jumps.
Ballonné  (ba-law-nay) A jump step, on one leg.
Ballotté (ba-law-tay) Tossed.  A jump step, from one leg to the other.
Battement  (bat-mahn) Beating.  A controlled kick in the air.
Battement serré (bat-mahn-seh-ray) A beating step.
Bourreé   (boo-ray)  Walking with one foot staying in front of the other foot at all times.
Bras (brah) The arm.
Brisé (bree-zay)  Broken, breaking.  An assemblé - beaten and traveled.
Cabriole (ka-bree-awl)  A brush jump step where the straight legs are beaten in the air, landing on one leg with the other leg lifted.
Cambré (kahm-bray)  Arched. Bending of the body from the waist (sideways, front or back).
Chainé turns (sheh-nay turns)  Chains, links.  A series of rapid turns done in a circle or a straight line, one half turn on each foot.
Changement (shahnzh-mahn)  Jump step starting in fifth position, changing your pointed feet and land back in fifth.
Chassé (sha-say)  Chased. A step in which one foot literally chases the other foot out of its position.
Contretemps (kawn-truh-tahn)  Beating against time.
Cou-de-pied, Sur le  (sewr-luh-koo-duh-pyay) A foot position meaning foot wrapped around the ankle.
Coupé  (koo-pay)  Cut, cutting.
Croisé (qua-zay) Crossed. One of the nine body positions. The crossing of the leg or arm over the body to show the dancer's side or back.
Dégagé (day-ga-zhay)  Disengaged. A small, controlled kick forward or sideways.
Demi (dem-mee) Half.  To do any ballet step in small proportion.
Demi-plié (dim-me-plee-ay) A half bend of the knees. Heels must stay on the floor. All jumps begin and end with a Demi-plié.
Derriére (deh-ree-air) Behind. In back of the body.
Dessous (duh-soo)  Under. In steps which are performed Dessous, the working foot passes in front of the supporting foot.
Developpé (deyv-law-pay) To slowly extend the leg straight out, from passe and keep it extended..
Détourné (day-tour-nay)  Turned aside. It is a complete turn toward the back foot and reverses the position of the feet.
Devant (duh-vahn) In front. Tendu front (devant) is one of the eight body positions.
Écarte (ey-kar-tay)  Separated.  Thrown wide open.  One of the eight body positions.
Échappe (ey-sha-pay)  Escaping. Begin in 5th. Slide both legs out to 2nd and pull back into 5th.
Efface (ey-fa-say)  Shaded.  One of the eight body positions.
Élancé (el-lahn-say) Darting. When this term is used with a step, it indicates the step is to be done in a darting manner.
Élevé (el-ah-vay) A basic step. This step is like a re'leve' only there is no plie' before you rise up on demi-pointe or full pointe.
Emboité (ahm-bwah-tay)  Fitted together, boxed.
En Cloche (ahn-klawsh)  Like a bell.
En Croix (ahn-kruah)  In the shape of a cross.  Executed front, side, back then side.
En Dedans (ahn duh-dahn) Inward.  To turn by stepping on the foot in the direction dancer is going.
En Dé Hohr  (ahn duh-awr)  Outward.  To turn by lifting the foot in the direction dancer is going.
En Face (ahn-fahs) Facing the audience. A step done facing the audience.
En Haut (ahn-oh)  High.  Used to indicate a high position of the arms over the head.
En lair (ahn-lair) In the air. A movement done off the floor (in the air), as in rond de jambe en l'air.
Entrechat (ahn-truh-shah) Four changes. Begin in 5th, Jump into air off both feet, while beating feet back and forth twice.
Épaulement (ay-pohl-mahn) Shouldering. One of the eight body positions.
Étendre (ay-tahn-druh) To stretch. One of the seven movements in ballet.
Failli  (Fah-yee) Giving way. To fall. Foot falls forward from the back, landing in a lunge position then continue with the next movement.
Fermé (fir-may) Closed. Indicates that both feet are brought to a closed position.
Fondu (Fawn-dew) To Melt. Sinking down.  Is similar to Plie'. Bend at theknee on one leg only.
Fouetté (Fwa-tay) To Whip. Begins with a chassé forward, step and kick a leg forward, turn ½ way around to land in arabesque.
Frappé (Fra-pay) To Strike. Flex a foot into coupe' position, strike out to Tendu in the air, and place back into original position.
Glissade (Glee-sawd) Begin in 5th. Degage' and jump onto foot, tendu other foot out to other side, and slowly drag back into 5th.
Glisser (glee-say) To glide ... one of the seven types of ballet movements.
Grandé (Grahnd)  Grand or large. To do any ballet steps in large proportions.
Grand battement  (grahn-bat-mahn) A large beat.  Extended leg front, side or back to the fullest lift in the air.
Grand jeté (grahn-zhuh-tay) A large leap forward onto one foot giving a spit leap in the air.
Jambe (Ghohm) The Leg
Jeté (Ghe-tay) Throwing steps.  Brushing and jumping from one foot to the other from side to side.
Ouvert (oo-vehr)  Open. This can refer to a step that lands with one leg in an open position.
Pas couru (pah-koo-rue) A running step. A connecting step.
Pas de Chat (Pah-duh-shah) Step of the cat. Back leg lifts to Retiré, front leg leaps to Retiré, and back leg lands in 5th before the front.
Pas de Basque (Paw-duh-bask) It starts in fifth, right foot front, alternating legs move Rt leg to the side, Lt leg forward, to fifth.
Pas de Boureé (Paw-duh-boo-ray)  Bouree' step.
Pas de Cheval (Pah-duh-shuh-val) Step of the Horse. Resembles horse pawing ground. Small develope' tendu asterre close 5th frt or bk.
Pas de deux (pah-dih-duh) A dance for two people, usually one of the highlights of a ballet.
Passé (Paw-say) Means passing. To bend the knee and touch toe to the opposite leg just below the knee. Switching the 5th position.
Penché (Pawn-shay) Body pitches forward while standing in Arabesque or Attitude.
Petit (puh-tee) Little. Small. As in petit battement or petit jete'.
Piqué (pee-kay) Literally, pricked or pricking. A step out onto demi-pointe or pointe with a straight knee.
Piqué turn (pee-kay-turn) A traveling turning step on one leg.
Pirouette  (Peer-oh-et) A Turn that begins on two feet.
Plié (plee-ay) To bend.  Demi - half.  Grand - full.
Port de bras (por-dih-brah)  A carriage of the arms.
Précipité (pre-sip-a-tay) A brush jump step. A fast step. A quick and small form of glissade.
Quatriéme (kah-tree-em) Fourth position ... an open position.
Relevé (ruhl-a-vay) One of the seven movements in dancing. To roll up onto toes from a flat foot.
Retiré  (Reh-ter-ray) To bend the knee and touch the toe to the opposite leg above the knee cap at the thigh.
Rond de jambe  (rohn-duh-zhom)  Circling of the leg on the floor.
Sauté (Sew-tay)  Jump or jumping, on one or two feet.
Sauté de basque  (sew-duh-bask) A turn where a foot is stepped on, the second foot is brushed forward and jumped upon.
Sissone  (See-sohn)  Scissors. Both feet bounce off ground and do splits in air – body lands on one leg, with other leg in arabesque.
Soubresaut  (soo-bree-soh) A basic step. A jump step. A sudden spring into the air from fifth.
Sous Sus (Soo-soo) Under/Over. To go from flat foot into 5th position on to toes quickly.
Soutenou  (Soo-ten-noo) A turn similar to Chaine. Leap out to 2nd position, cross other foot in front very tightly, go onto toes and turn.
Temps levé   (tahn-leh-vay)  A jump.
Temps lié (tahn-lee-yay)  A linking movement. A coordinating movement involving arms, head and legs.
Tendu  (Tawn-doo) To slide foot out in pointe to the front, side or back, lifting heel off the floor.
Tombé (Tom-bay) To step out into 2nd in preparation for a motion step.
Tour en l' air (Toor-on-lay-err) To Turn in the Air off both feet at same time, landing at same time.
Tour Jeté  (Toor-ghe-tay) Two grand battements with a 1/2 turn in between (one front & one back).
Tourner (toor-nay) To turn around as in Pirouette.
8 Body Positions or Directions of the Body (Cecchetti)
●	Croisé devant  Crossed in front.
●	Croisé derriére  Crossed in back.
●	Écarté  Seperated.
●	Effacé  Shaded.
●	Épaulé  Shouldered.
●	A la quatriéme devant  To the 4th front.
●	A la quatriéme derriére  To the 4th back.
●	a la seconde  To the side.
7 Movements of Dance
●	Tendu  To stretch.
●	Relevé  To rise.
●	Sauté  To jump.
●	Plié  To bend.
●	Élancé  To dart.
●	Glissor  To glide.
●	Tourner  To turn around.

Tap Definitions                                                                                                   ► Ballet           ► Jazz

Adage  A slow section of movements derived from the Italian term Adagio - meaning slowly.

Allegro  Quick of lively - a musical term.

Ball Change  Changing of the weight from the balls of the feet from one foot to the other.  Rocking motion.

Barrel Roll  A complete turn executed with the upper part of the body inclined forward with arms extended in windmill fashion.

Bells  A clicking of the heels together done in the air with the knees bent.

Bombershay  A theatrical term of which there are many variations.

Bounce  To bend and straighten the knees.

Brush  Kick foot forward, making a tap sound with the toe only.

Buffalo  A movement normally used traveling to the side but can be executed in place.  Leap - shuffle - leap.

Chaine' Turn  A series of rapid turns done in a circle or a straight line, one half turn on each foot.  Many variations.

Chug  Lift onto toes, push feet forward by dropping heels and sliding forward.

Cincinnati  Also known as a triple draw back.  Spank - heel - shuffle step.

Click Heels  With the weight on the balls of the feet, twist heels inward, striking them together.

Click Toes  With the weight on the heels of the feet, toes lifted in the air, twist toes inward, striking them together.

Cramproll  A movement using steps and heel drops in a specific pattern.  R-Toe, L-Toe, R-Heel, L-Heel.

Dig  Bounce heel on ground and immediately lift back up – put no weight on the foot.

Dig Ball  A forceful movement executed by striking the ball of the foot onto the floor and sharply retracting it.

Double Wing  A six sound movement utilizing the basic three sound wing wherein one foot begins slightly ahead of the other.

Draw Backs  A term that has come into use only in recent years. Spank Rt foot, Heel on Lt foot, step Rt foot, then reverse.

Essence  Considered to be the "Time Step" of soft shoe dances.  Flap Ball-change (Front Essence, Back Essence).

Falling Off The Log  A twisting movement normally executed to traveling to the side in a grapevine fashion.

Fan Kick  A high circular kick directed from one side to the other passing in front of the body.

Flap  (Fa-Lap) To brush toe and then tap the same toe using no heel, and alternating feet.

Flea Hop  A sliding movement with the opposite leg raised in the air.

Graboff  a term frequently used for a shuffle pickup or pullback change.

Grapevine  Usually executed traveling to the side while facing forward.  Step side R / cross L back / side R / cross L front.

Heel Drop  A forceful dropping of the heel to the floor with the weight placed on the ball of the same foot.

Heel Scuff  Executed like a forward brush wherein the back edge of the heel strikes the floor in a pendulum like movement.

Heel Tap  A striking of the back edge of the foot with the toe raised in any direction.

Hiccup  Another name for a single skip.

Hop  A spring action upwards into the air from one foot, and landing on that same foot.

Interlude  A short piece of instrumental music played between parts of a song or melody.

Irish (front)  The step is executed crossing in front of the opposite foot.  Shuffle hop step in front.

Irish (back)  The step is executed crossing in back of the opposite foot.  Shuffle hop step in back.

Kick  A sharp extension or lifting of the leg, in any direction, either from a bent knee or from a straight leg.

Leap  A spring into the air from the supporting foot to the opposite foot.  Change of weight from one foot to the other foot.

Lindy  Chasse' w/Flap – Ball-change.  Step, side ballchange, ballchange back

Lunge  The pushing, darting or stepping of one foot in any direction on the floor and with a bent knee.

Maxie Ford  A combination traceable to Vauderville.  Shuffle, leap, toe in back, step, continue all on right foot.

Nerve Roll  a series of rapid consecutive taps with the heel, ball or toe effected by the vibrations of the legs.

Paddle Turn  Travel in a circle, either front or back.  Brush ballchange, brush ballchange.

Pirouette'  A turn executed only on one foot.

Pull Back (or Pickup)  to jump lightly into the air and flap one or both feet backwards at the same time (or forwards).

Riff  A combination of a brush forward followed by a scuff forward on the same foot.

Riffle  a three sound movement combining a forward riff and a back brush.

Scissor  Step on a foot, cross other over in front, step out on original foot, heel out with opposite foot (step, cross, step, heel).

Scuff  To kick entire foot forwards, using just the heel.

Scuffle  A two sound movement executed in the same manner as a shuffle but accented differently.  Scuff R fwd, Brush R back.

Shim Sham  An early tap movement that is still used extensively.  Shuffle-step-shuffle-step-ballchange-shuffle-step.

Shuffle  A two sound movement involving a forward and a backward brush (spank).

Shuffle Ball Change Execute a fwd and bkwd brush followed by changing the weight from the balls of the feet from one foot to the other.

Shuffle Leap  A forward shuffle on the free foot, leaping forward to that same foot.

Shuffle Step  A shuffle on the free foot, followed by a step on the same foot.

Slap  Brush forward, ending with a tap on the same foot.

Soft Shoe  A dance performed in slow 4/4 time.  Essence, Grapevine, Paddle Turn, etc.

Spank  Brush foot backward, making a tap sound with the toe only (back brush).

Stag Leap  A leaping movement into the air with one leg fully extended.

Stamp  A forcefully executed step on the entire flat of the foot, taking weight.

Step  A placing of the front part (ball) of the foot on the floor, taking weight.

Stomp  A striking of the floor with the entire flat of the foot, does not take weight.

Sugarfoot  Twist one knee out at a time and move forward from side to side (twist walk).

Susie-Q  A dance craze of 1937.  Twist one knee out at a time and move laterally in one direction.  Like a bombershay.

Toe Drop  With weight on the back edge of the heel (toe raised), force the ball of the foot to the floor.

Toe Heel  A step followed by a Heel Drop.

Toe Stand  A movement wherein one or both of the tips (points) of the taps are on the floor.

Train Step  Stamp step ballchange continuously - getting faster or slower in tempo.

Waltz Clog  Single - step-huffle-ballchange.  Double - flap-shuffle-ballchange.  Triple - shuffle-step-shuffle-ballchange.

Jazz Definitions                                                                                                       ► Ballet             ► Tap
Isolations  Moving one body part such as the head, shoulder, rib cage or hip - independently from the rest of the body.
Isolations - Head
●	Contract  Bring the chin toward the chest.  Continue to focus forward.
●	Goose Neck (Chicken Neck)  Head pushes (pulses) forward and contracts.
●	Profile (or turn) With body forward, face extreme right or extreme left.
●	Release (raised)  Push the head back toward the ceiling.  Continue to focus forward.
●	Roll  Drop head down to right, roll to left continuing in a circle or drop down to left, roll to right continuing in a circle.
●	Side to Side  Very East Indian in style and movement.  Isolate the head laterally while facing forward.
●	Swing  Drop head right, swing down to left and hold or drip left down to right and hold.  Face forward.
●	Tilt  Tilt head to the side while facing (focusing) forward.
Isolations - Hands and Arms
●	Airplane  Both hands are extended in 2nd position so that when the body turns, it resembles an airplane.
●	Baseball Bat  Hands are clasped together as if holding a bat.  The "bat" can be either swinging or at the shoulder ready to hit.
●	Bow and Arrow  A position of the arms resembling shooting a bow and arrow.  One arm is bent at elbow, the other is extended.
Isolations - Hips
●	Contact  Tuck pelvis under and lengthen back.
●	Hip Lift  Lift hip up or to the side.
●	Release  Push buttocks back and arch lower back.
●	Roll  Can be either right or left.
●	Side to Side  Accenting hip pulses to side in either single or double time.
Isolations - Shoulders
●	Back  A thrusting motion back.
●	Front  A thrusting motion forward.
●	Roll  Either front or back, in a circular motion.
●	Shimmy  Shake shoulders quickly alternating forward and back.
●	Up/Down  Pull shoulders up toward ear and push them back down without moving the head.
Arm Positions
●	Airplane  Arms are in ballet 2nd but straighter with an upper body twist.
●	Angular  Arms are extended in a "V" position with one arm high and the other arm low.
●	Bow and Arrow  One arm is extended straight and the other arm is bent at the elbow, like using a bow & arrow.
●	Comb  Spread the fingers and comb the hair close to the sides of the head.
●	Diagonal  See angular, can be used with one arm or both.
●	Drape  Arm is relaxed and hanging across the head.
●	Extended  Arms extended away from the body.
●	Finger Fan  Beginning with the little finger, rolling the fingers in toward the body then back out.
●	Fist  Hand is clenched into a tight ball.
●	Flexed  In any arm position the hands are flexed, fingertips either up or down.
●	Inverted  Hands facing the back, as in long jazz second the arms invert to have the hands facing the back wall instead of down.
●	Inverted Long Jazz Arms  Like ballet 2nd position but arm is straighter.  Palms are facing the ceiling.
●	Jazz Frame  Arms are crossed over the head making an "X".  Fingers are spread into jazz hands.
●	Jazz Hands The fingers are spread.  Do not fan them back.
●	Jazz Wrist Press  Flexing the hand at the wrist, push the palm and wrist away from the shoulder in any direction.
●	"L" Position  One arm is extended up to ceiling, the other arm is extended to the side forming an "L".
●	Long Jazz Arm  Like ballet 2nd position but arm is straighter.  Palms are facing the floor.
●	Rounded  (Curved)  Arms are rounded, can be placed over head, side, in front or down.
●	"S" Curve  Arms are to sides and lifted away from the body with one arm rounded up and the other rounded down to form an "S".
●	Scoop  A scooping motion with the arm rounded and hand cupped.
●	Shampoo Bring rounded arm around the top of the head in a circular motion touching the finger across the head to the opposite ear.
●	Slice  Arm makes a cutting motion through the air.  Hand is usually flat like a knife.
●	"V" Position  Arms are extended up in a "V" with palms facing either in or out.  This is a very strong line.
●	Wrist Roll  Hand rotates freely in or out.  This can be done with open hand or closed fist.
Locomoter Movements
●	Ball Change  One foot in back of the other, stepping on the ball of the back foot and then stepping on the flat or ball of the front foot.
●	Camel Walk  Roll from the heel onto the ball of the foot while at the same time executing a body wave.
●	Chasse'  Ballet term. A sliding movement in jazz but analyzed as a step together step. Travels forward, backward, or sideward.
●	Cross Touch  Another walk, travels forward or backward. Step across and touch the opposite foot to the side.
●	Fan Kick  The leg makes a sweeping arc through space. It crosses in front of the body then sweeps to make a half circle.
●	Flick Kick  A quick developpe'; can be done forward, sideways or backwards, parallel or turned out.
●	Grapevine  Another variation walk; travels to the side. Step side, cross back, step side, cross front.
●	Jazz Rond de Jambe  Release the torso on the inward swing, contract on the passé, release the torso on the ball change.
●	Jazz Run  A darting opposition walk, arms and legs work in opposition.
●	Jazz Slide  Initiated by stepping to a turned out second position lunge and sliding the leg straight along the floor.
●	Jazz Square  Consists of four walking steps performed in a square. Forward, cross, back, then side.
●	Jazz Walk/Run  A stylized walk with a step longer than the normal stride.
●	Kick Ball Change  Step derived from tap; used as a transition step because it involves little or no traveling.
●	Kicks (Grand Battement)  Can be performed in place or traveling across the floor.
●	Lindy  Chasse with a ball change.
●	Lunge  A body position executed by reaching, stepping or darting in any direction.
●	Pas de Bourree  A ballet step consisting of three steps; can be performed many ways.
●	Progressive Step Ball Change  A jazz chasse, travel forward, backward or sideways; executed parallel, turned out or inverted.
●	Strut  A variation of a jazz walk, the leg comes through a passé position staying in releve'.
●	Step Touch  The touch may be to the front, back or side, and the touch is done with the ball of the foot, with the leg straight or bent.
●	Three Step Turn  Basic turn in all forms of dance, it uses 3 steps to complete one turn.
●	Triplet  A three step movement; usually travels forward but can also travel back, side, and turning.
Turns  are very demanding technically. Spotting is a key element and alignment is a key factor.
●	Chaine' Turn  Derived from Ballet.  A two step turn generally performed in releve' but may also be performed in plie'.
●	Compass Turn  Like an arabesque turn but the toe of the working leg remains on the floor.
●	Inside / Outside Turn  A series of turns alternating from inside to outside pirouettes.
●	Paddle Turn  A simple turn that pivots the body around one spot, the weight is continually shifted from one foot then the other. The supporting leg pivots on the ball of the foot, with the heel lifting slightly off the floor. The other leg is extended to the side and "paddles" on the ball of the foot.
●	Pencil Turn  Executed with both legs straight. Step on R, pull L leg into parallel 1st at same time turn.
●	Pique Turn  Turn onto a straight leg, the passé is either turned out or parallel.
●	Pirouette  Ballet term.  One leg in releve' the other is in passé parallel or turned out. Also performed with the supporting leg in plie'.
●	Pivot Turn A turn on two feet; stepping forward on one foot changing direction to face the opposite direction remaining in contact with  the floor. To make a complete turn you step forward again but in a line opposite from the original direction continuing to end up facinghe original direction.
●	Soutenu Turn  Also originates in ballet. Step to parallel second in plie', pulling the second leg in to meet the preparation leg as the turn is executed with both legs in releve', the weight of the body is shared equally by both legs during the turn. Can be executed  inward or outward, crossing either in front or back.
●	Touch Turn  A variation of the soutenu; rather that the weight being shared by both legs, the turn is executed partially around on one leg as the opposite leg touches the floor. To complete the turn, the weight transfers to the touching leg by stepping onto that foot.
Aerial Movement (Jumps, Kicks, & Leaps)
●	Back Leg Stag  A leap with the front leg straight and the back leg is in attitude turned out.
●	Calypso / Double Stag Leap (double attitude)   Both legs are bent.
●	Jete'  Leaping from one leg to the other.
●	Jete' en tournaut   There are various forms of turning leaps.
●	Stag Leap  The front leg is bent and the back leg is straight.
●	Straddle Jete'  Big leap sideways.
●	Switch Leap / Scissor Split   Leap in the air and switch legs. Leap in the air with R leg forward and switch to land on the L leg.
Specialized Movements and Technical Skills
●	Arch  Chest lifts.
●	Knee Spin  A form of chaines on the knees.
●	Floor Roll   Various forms of floor rolls.
●	Forced Arch   Demi plie pressing the metatarsal into the floor with a high release of the heels.
●	Jazz Split   Hand reaches to the floor to break the fall.
●	Needle  Creates a single long line, hands connect to the floor on the "standing penchee".
●	Russian Straddle Split   Explosive jump into the air (straddle toe touch).
●	Split  One leg forward the other back or both side as in a straddle.
●	Table Top Position (flat back)   A position in which the back is flat, like a table, can be done with both legs on the floor or one leg extended back, and the body placement can be straight or at a diagonal.
●	Lay out   Body arch back and one leg lifts forward.
●	"Z" Position (4th)   Both hips are on the floor (used to be called swastika).