Tendu

Definition

Tendu is a fundamental ballet movement where the dancer stretches their leg and foot along the floor, extending the toes while keeping the heel in contact with the ground. This action helps to develop strength and flexibility in the feet and legs, which are essential for executing more complex movements. It serves as a foundational exercise for proper body alignment and control, making it a critical aspect of dance training.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In tendu, the foot is pointed and stretched out to a specific position before returning to a closed position, usually at the ankle or within the fifth position.
2. Tendu can be performed to different directions: front (devant), side (à la seconde), and back (derrière), each targeting various muscle groups.
3. This movement is often used in combination with other exercises, like pliés and dégagés, to create fluidity and transitions in choreography.
4. Proper execution of tendu involves engaging the core for stability and maintaining turnout in the hips to enhance alignment.
5. Tendu is not just about foot movement; it is also a way for dancers to communicate lines and shapes through their bodies, adding visual appeal to performances.

Review Questions

• How does performing a tendu help develop a dancer's overall technique and performance quality?
  • Performing a tendu is crucial for developing a dancer's technique as it strengthens the feet and legs while promoting proper body alignment. This movement encourages dancers to engage their core, maintain turnout, and focus on precise execution. By mastering tendu, dancers build a foundation that enhances their ability to perform more complex movements fluidly and with grace, contributing significantly to their overall performance quality.
• Discuss how tendu can be integrated into various dance styles beyond ballet and its significance in those contexts.
  • Tendu is not limited to ballet; it can be adapted into various dance styles such as jazz, contemporary, and even lyrical dance. In these styles, tendu helps dancers develop control over their movements while emphasizing lines and transitions. The technique involved in tendu promotes strength and flexibility that are beneficial in executing choreography across different genres, making it an essential skill for versatile dancers.
• Evaluate the importance of tendu in relation to developing performance artistry in dance, including its impact on stage presence.
  • Tendu plays a significant role in enhancing performance artistry as it fosters awareness of body lines and spatial awareness on stage. When executed correctly, tendu not only showcases technical skill but also contributes to the aesthetic quality of movements, allowing dancers to express emotions through their body language. This attention to detail in foundational movements like tendu helps create an impactful stage presence, as audiences respond positively to both technical proficiency and artistic expression.

Related terms

dégagé: A movement where the foot brushes off the floor, allowing it to rise slightly into the air before returning to a closed position.

plié: A bending of the knees while keeping the feet flat on the floor, often used as a warm-up exercise that emphasizes balance and strength.

arabesque: A position where one leg is extended straight back while the other supports the weight of the body, showcasing balance and grace.