It didn't used to be, though, especially when it was performed with petit allegro steps like jete or assemble. I would watch other dancers (usually more petite dancers than myself since conventional wisdom says taller dancers are less likely to be fast with their feet - a MYTH! - and older dancers are slower - another MYTH!) and be envious of their sharp glissade a la seconde.
In ballet, the term glissade is a "linking step," one that is performed between other steps, as in the aforementioned allegro.
(Did you know "glissade" also means to slide down an ice slope? Yes, this is true! But please don't go backpacking or ice-slope climbing if you're a dancer - too dangerous! Thank you from your teacher and artistic director.)
How do we perform a glissade?
When we do a glissade, we begin in a fifth position (typically), demi-plie, then degage the back foot to the side. We push up and off the floor with the front foot and straighten both knees at the same time. For a split-second we are airborne! Both legs are straight and off the ground and we look like a triangle in the air.
At this point, things get tricky.
To come down, we land on the first foot (toe, ball, heel and en fondue) and then pull the second foot into fifth position as if returning from a degage. The timing is important because we don't want to land on the first foot with the second foot sticking up in the air. Not only is that awkward but it is also incorrect. That would be more like a jete instead of a glissade.
We also need to land in demi-plie so it's a soft finish. Please don't straighten the first knee before finishing the jump in fifth position, either en avant or en arriere.
And finally, the most challenging part of all, the toe-ball-heel slide of the second foot. One of the things I give the most corrections on is the second foot. We forget about it. We leave it dangling. We don't push from it to a pointed foot. We don't drag it in smoothly. Instead we often place the foot into fifth position as if putting it down (like a normal non-dancer person would!) while we are walking. It's vitally important that you replace the foot as if you were returning from a battement degage. That can be a quick toe-ball-heel or a slow, gooey one but it must be a glide and cannot be a "placing down."
So that's glissade.
What are some tips and tricks to make this an easier step?
1. Think about the suspension in the air. Spring both feet off the floor to get that second position straight and sharp.
2. Use your "underbutt" muscles to keep you off the ground. A good practice for this is balancing in second position en releve. The muscles you need for this are the same for the glissade.
3. Practice sautes in second position. Again, these same muscles under your derriere are the ones you need to engage to keep you off the ground.
4. Focus on your inner thighs when you perform tendu and degage exercises at the barre. Strong adductor muscles will increase your speed.
5. Work the articulation of the your feet with Therabands or other exercises. Feet that are more pliable will have a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and also be easier to spring off the floor.
6. Practice. Seriously. Practice them as much as you can. Alternate front and back or all front or all back. Watch yourself in the mirror and be critical about the suspension in the air. Use your torso and core muscles to lift you off the ground. Easier glissades make all allegro easier.
Hope this helps! Happy dancing~
And Happy Thanksgiving!
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| The beautiful and talented Vera-Ellen! |
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