Learn Ballet: How to do a Fondu!

Fondu is a ballet exercise in which the body is lowered by bending the knee of one supporting leg.

Fondu literally translates to "melted" in English. Think about eating chocolate or cheese fondu!

(Students demonstrating coupe position.)

To start a battement fondu exercise, begin by placing the feet in a closed foot position, either first or fifth. 

Bring the working foot up to a coupe position. Place the foot right above the ankle and keep the knee out to the side.  

Plié the supporting leg.

Extend the working leg and straighten the supporting leg at the same time. Place the working foot either on the floor (a terre) or in the air (en l'air).
 

Repeat by returning the working foot back to coupe. Fondus can be performed to the front, side, and back.

Tips for a great fondu: 

Use the imagery of melting to aid you in a fondu. Literally thinking about melting into the floor to get the smooth transitions from the coupe to the leg extension.

When you extend the leg, lift the rest of your body up and open out your chest.

Take a breath before you plié. 

Arthur Saint-Léon, choreographer of the ballet Coppélia, wrote, "Fondu is on one leg what a plié is on two." 

Happy dancing!

 

 Miss Tess

 tessc@balletpetite.com