"Add A Touch Of Finesse To Your Dancing"
The Correct Method Of Tendue Derriere.
When students learn tendue, they have a great deal of difficulty understanding the reasoning behind teacher's insistance on learning the importance of a basic tendue. Throughout any dancer's training, the constant need for a properly executed tendue will be apparent in every movement in dance. The lengthening and stretching of the legs and feet, properly placed behind the head, without bevelling or "rounding" the foot, helps the dancer achieve proper stance and balance. The foot is lightly touching the floor with no weight on the extended foot. A properly placed tendue will give all movements a graceful and well placed image.
"Nine" Positions Of The Body Using Tendue
From Left To Right: Croise Devant, Quatrieme Devant, Efface Devant, Croise Derriere (epaule), Quatrieme Derriere, Efface Derriere, Ecarte Devant, A La Seconde, Ecarte Derriere.
You will note, that the weight of the dancer is over the supporting leg (leg dancer is standing on) and the working leg is long, straight with the foot fully stretched. The upper torso is pulled up and regal in appearance and the dancer's head moves with each movement, giving expression to the dancer. Arms are well placed and never move. Turnout of the supporting leg is always present. The "nineth" position, Ecarte Derriere, is not always included in the Positions Of The Body, but is shown here. Each school varies slightly, but the method shown is Cecchetti.
Tendue is a very important step. The Positions Of The Body are used throughout adagio with slight variations to movement, arms and head.
Pictures from: Classical Ballet Technique by Warren
