What Is a Frappe in Ballet?

Ballet

A frappe in ballet is a warm-up exercise that is typically performed at the start of a class. It consists of a series of quick, small jumps that involve the dancer’s feet leaving the ground and coming back down in a brushing or rippling motion. The purpose of this movement is to prepare the dancer’s feet and legs for more strenuous exercises, as well as to work on their technique.

Frappes can be performed with arms in many different positions, but the most common arm position is second position – either both arms raised to second with elbows at shoulder level or one arm stretched out to side and other in second. The feet should be slightly apart with toes pointed and body weight evenly distributed between them. The knees should also be slightly bent to absorb shock when landing from each jump.

The first part of the exercise involves hopping on alternating feet while forcing each foot down as quickly as possible.

This should be done for about 8 jumps for each foot, then switching legs for another 8 jumps before moving onto the next step.

The next step involves leaping from one foot to another in small steps while keeping the arms in second position and pushing up from the hips to get that extra height on each jump. Again, this should be done for 8 reps on each leg before moving onto the next part of the exercise.

The last part is a combination of both parts; alternating hops and leaps while maintaining proper arm positions and technique until you have completed 16 repetitions with each leg (32 total). Conclusion:

Frappes are an important warm-up exercise in ballet that help prepare dancers’ bodies for more strenuous movements by developing strength and flexibility in their legs and feet. They consist of alternating hops and leaps that involve quick movements with proper technique, body placement, and arm positioning throughout. Performing frappes regularly can help keep dancers’ bodies healthy and ready for their classes!