Differentiate between tendu, dégagé, and frappé in the Grade 4 Cecchetti barre and give a practical cue for each.

Differentiate between tendu, dégagé, and frappé in the Grade 4 Cecchetti barre and give a practical cue for each.

• A. Tendu is a full contact of the foot along the floor to the point; dégagé is a brush off the floor to a small height; frappé is a strike of the foot from the floor to the floor with a quick beat; cues: keep turnout, maintain knee and ankle alignment, and point the toe.
• B. Tendu is a lift off the floor; dégagé is a brush on the floor; frappé is a hop on the supporting leg.
• C. Tendu is a point step; dégagé is a jump with turnout; frappé is a roll.
• D. Tendu, dégagé, frappé are all different types of jumps.

Answer: (A)

The difference lies in how the foot interacts with the floor at the barre. Tendu keeps the foot on the floor as it slides from the start position to full point, with the knee and ankle kept in line and turnout maintained. A practical cue is to slide the foot along the floor from heel to toe with the knee tracking over the toes and the toes pointed.

Dégagé brushes the foot off the floor to a small height and then returns, being a quicker, more energetic shift than tendu while still keeping the leg long and the turnout active. A good cue is to brush off the floor with the ankle, lifting only a small amount and maintaining a straight knee, pointed foot, and stable turnout.

Frappé is a quick strike of the foot on the floor, starting from tendu, with a sharp beat rather than a lift. The foot contacts the floor with a clean, brisk motion while the leg remains extended and turnout and alignment are preserved. A helpful cue is to snap the ball of the foot onto the floor with a fast, precise beat, keeping the leg long and the toes pointed.

These descriptions align with Cecchetti barre practice: tendu slides on the floor, dégagé brushes off to a small height, frappé delivers a quick strike on the floor. The other descriptions that suggest jumps or hops do not fit this barre context.