Dégagé is a French word meaning “disengaged” or “released.” It is one of the most common and important ballet steps, used in both the classical and contemporary styles.
What Does Dégagé Mean in Ballet? Dégagé is a movement that allows a dancer to move from one position to another with ease, grace, and balance. It involves releasing the leg from the hip joint, without losing control or balance.
The leg typically moves outward from the hip in a circular motion and can be done with either straight or bent legs. When done correctly, dégagé should look effortless and graceful, as if the dancer were merely shifting weight from one foot to the other.
How Is Dégagé Used? Dégagé is an essential step in many ballet routines. It can be used to transition between steps, such as a grand jete (or leap) and an arabesque (or pose).
It can also be used to create interesting patterns in choreography or to add lightness and speed to jumps. Additionally, it can be used as a preparation for more difficult steps such as pirouettes (spins) or grand allegro (large leaps).
What Are Some Common Mistakes with Dégagé? One common mistake with dégagés is not releasing the leg fully from the hip joint; this results in an awkward-looking movement that lacks grace or control. Another common mistake is for dancers to hyperextend their knees when performing dégagés; this often results in an unbalanced movement that looks forced rather than effortless. In order for dégagés to look fluid and graceful, dancers must ensure that their legs are properly extended and that they keep their core engaged throughout the movement.
Conclusion: In conclusion, dégagés are an essential step in many ballet routines and are used to transition between steps, create interesting patterns in choreography, add lightness and speed to jumps, or prepare for more difficult steps such as pirouettes or grand allegro. To execute them correctly it is important for dancers to ensure that their legs are properly released from their hip joints without hyperextending their knees or losing control of their core muscles. With practice and dedication, even novice dancers can learn to perform dégagés with grace and ease!