Petit allegro/Batterie

[swanprincess]

Can anyone please explain to me, in batterie/petit allegro steps, what is meant by 'beating' the feet? Is a beat the same thing as an entrechat quatre? And is an entrechat six the same as a changement battu?

Really confused over what it actually means when a teacher says 'beat back-front' etc, and didnt want to disturb class by asking her to explain!

Thanks :-)

[Aurora]

The beat is the actual outward and inward action of the feet so various thing can have beats. An entrechat quatre beats, an entrechat six has another beat so instead of just going back front, you go back front back (closing behind so there is ultimately a change of feet).

 

You can also beat assembles, coupes fouettes racourcis, sissonnes etc. generally you beat where it isn't closing, then change feet to close. Eg assemble over would normally swish to the side and close in front but assemble over battu would swish to the side, beat in mid air at the back in tight 5th, then close in front.

 

Hope that helps

[Anjuli_Bai]

A beat is the striking together of the calves during a jump.  In some jumps it is an "extra" addition such assemblé, but in other jumps such as brisé, it is an integral part of the step. 

 

A beat does not occur only in petit allegro - it can also occur in large jumps such as tour jeté entournant.

 

During a beat the feet must fully cross one another and the contact is in the calves.   Some people teach that one should think of the thighs as contacting, but for me that is a muddier image, so I always felt the sharp contact in the calves.   It is never in the heels.

 

Each movement of the beat is counted so that "out/in/out/in" is four beats. 

 

All even number beats end on two feet.  Odd number beats end on one foot.

 

An entrechat quatre is four beats.  Starting the jump from two feet, right foot front.  In the air the feet go out, come in (rt ft is in back) out again, and lands with rt ft in front - just as you started.

 

A changement battu begins in 5th position, rt ft in front, the feet go out during the jump, come in to beat without changing, and then change so you end up in 5th position, rt ft back. The word "changement" tells you there will be a change of which foot is in front.   An entrechat trois is the same thing only  it lands on one foot (it's an odd number beat).

 

You've asked a very worthy question - and you should never hesitate to ask your teacher.  This kind of question does not 'disturb" the class.  It adds to the class. 

[swanprincess]

Thank you, that makes more sense. So am I correct in thinking that a 'beat' is a movement in which the calves come apart, to a very narrow 2nd position, before returning to 5th? (thus explaining how it is possible to 'beat back-front'- say the right foot is behind in 5th, one beat is already done in midair before the feet change?) Apologies if that's about as clear as mud!!!

[Anjuli_Bai]

Yes - you have it!