CLASSICAL BALLET SYLLABUS
GRADE 5
Level 2 Award in Graded Examinations in Dance
Female & Male Syllabus
© bbodance 2017
2
Contents
Introduction and Overview ................................................................................................................................ 4
Stage Directions ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Vocabulary ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Barre ................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Exercise 1 – Plié ............................................................................................................................................ 7
Exercise 2 – Battement Tendu ....................................................................................................................... 9
Exercise 3 – Battement Glissé ..................................................................................................................... 10
Exercise 4 – Rond de Jambe à Terre ........................................................................................................... 11
Exercise 5 – Battement Frappé .................................................................................................................... 13
Exercise 6 – Petit Battement ........................................................................................................................ 14
Exercise 7 – Retiré and Balancé .................................................................................................................. 16
Exercise 7A – Battement Fondu (Male) ....................................................................................................... 17
Exercise 8 – Grand Battement ..................................................................................................................... 19
Exercise 9 – Développé ............................................................................................................................... 20
Exercise 10 – Grand Battement en Cloche .................................................................................................. 21
Exercise 11 – Pas de Bourrée Piqué and Fouetté Raccourci (Female) ........................................................ 22
Exercise 12 – Échappé (Female) ................................................................................................................. 23
Centre ............................................................................................................................................................. 25
Exercise 1 – Battement Tendu ..................................................................................................................... 25
Exercise 2 – Port de Bras ............................................................................................................................ 26
Exercise 3 – 1st Pirouette Exercise ............................................................................................................... 28
Exercise 4 – Pirouette en Dehors (Female) ................................................................................................. 29
Exercise 4 – Pirouette en Dehors (Male) ...................................................................................................... 31
Exercise 5 – Pirouette en Dedans ................................................................................................................ 33
Exercise 6 – Temps Lié ............................................................................................................................... 35
Exercise 7 – Adage (Female) ....................................................................................................................... 36
3
Exercise 7 – Adage (Male) ........................................................................................................................... 37
Exercise 8 – Sauté (Female) ........................................................................................................................ 38
Exercise 8 – Sauté (Male) ............................................................................................................................ 39
Exercise 9 – Polonaise and Pas de Bourrée ................................................................................................ 40
Exercise 10 – Pas de Chat and Pas de Basque (Female) ............................................................................ 41
Exercise 10A – Tour En L’Air (Male) ............................................................................................................ 42
Exercise 11 – Petit Allegro ........................................................................................................................... 44
Exercise 12 – Allegro (Female) .................................................................................................................... 45
Exercise 12A – Allegro 2 (Male) ................................................................................................................... 46
Exercise 13 – Grand Allegro (Female) ......................................................................................................... 47
Exercise 13 – Grand Allegro (Male) ............................................................................................................. 48
Exercise 14 – Port de Bras and Révérence (Female) .................................................................................. 50
Exercise 14 – Port de Bras and Révérence (Male) ...................................................................................... 52
Additional Information ..................................................................................................................................... 54
4
Introduction and Overview
About the Syllabus
We are delighted to present this newly reviewed Syllabus which contains the set work for the Grade 5
Examination in Dance (Classical Ballet). The Syllabus should be used in conjunction with the Specification,
Syllabus Film and Syllabus Music for Grade 5. Together, these resources provide comprehensive information
and guidance for teachers which can be downloaded from our website.
Classical Ballet has been an integral part of bbodance history. The syllabus was originally devised by John
Field and Anne Heaton Field in 1988 and was revised in 1999. The work has been carefully preserved and
cherished as a unique legacy. Some details may have changed along the way but the syllabus retains its
allegiance to the vocabulary and style of the British school of ballet.
Note on Terminology
To ensure consistency, the ballet terminology in this syllabus adheres to a single source, namely Gail Grant,
(1967) Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet. New York: Dover Publications.
The Specification
Grade 5 continues a series of qualifications which are recognised in England and Wales and form part of the
Regulated Framework (RQF) at Level 2. Successful completion of the Examination leads to the following
qualification:
BBO Level 2 Award in Graded Examinations in Dance: Grade 5
Full details of the Examination for Grade 5 in Classical Ballet can be found in the Specification, including
duration, recommended uniform and assessment criteria. Please note that Specifications for all Graded and
Vocational Graded Examinations are available via the website.
The Syllabus Film
In addition to the written word, teachers will benefit from the Syllabus Film which is available on the website
and can be downloaded for free. The film shows each exercise being taught to students (female and male)
and demonstrated with the music, providing clarification of musical timing, coordination of the arms and use of
head. Whilst the film is intended as a resource for teachers, extracts may be shown to students as part of the
learning process.
The Syllabus Music
The music for Grade 5 Classical Ballet is available as a CD which can be purchased from bbodance.
Composed by Peter Jones, the music has remained in its original form and continues to inspire teachers and
students alike. For the 2017 revision of sources, a new voice over has been added.
Note on Examinations
This updated syllabus will come into effect from 1st January 2018 and will supersede all previous versions.
Teachers are advised to use this newest version in preparing students for examinations. From 1st January, all
examinations will refer to the 2017 syllabus edition of Grades 1-5 Classical Ballet.
5
DSL
Down Stage Left
DSR
Down Stage Right
USR
Up Stage Right
USL
Up Stage Left
USC
Up Stage Centre
DSC Down Stage Centre
SR
Stage Right SC
Centre Stage
De côté De côté
Stage Directions
FRONT
SL
Stage Left
Derrière
En face
Devant
En avant
En arrière
6
Vocabulary
Grade 5
The following French terms are added to those already learnt in Grades 1 - 4:
Ballotté Fouetté
En croix Raccourci
Entrechat Tombé
7
Barre
Exercise 1 – Plié
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 1st position Bras bas En face
Introduction
2 counts
1st to 2nd position, place L
hand on barre
1 Demi-plié 1st position Follow arm
2 Stretch 2nd position
3 Demi-plié 1st position
4 Stretch 2nd position
5 - 8 Full Plié Bras bas, 1st to 2nd position Follow arm
1 - 2 Rise
3 - 4 Lower heels
5 Demi-plié Bras bas
6 Stretch 1st position
7 Tendu to 2nd position 2nd position
8 Lower heels
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat in 2nd position, Demi-
rond de jambe to 4th position
croisé devant
As above As above
8
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat in 4th, close 5th
position devant
As above As above
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat in 5th, close 1st
position last time
As above As above
Bras bas
9
Barre
Exercise 2 – Battement Tendu
Music 4/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
1st to 2nd position, place L
hand on barre
Slightly turned towards
working leg
1 Tendu devant 2nd position
2 Close 5th position
3 Demi-plié Bras bas Follows arm
4 Stretch 1st to 2nd position Follows arm
5 Tendu to 2nd position En face
6 Close derrière en demi-plié
+7+8 2 Tendus to 2nd position (close
front, back)
Turned towards working leg
1 - 8 Repeat in reverse As above Slightly towards supporting
leg on Tendu derrière
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise As above
Bras bas
10
Barre
Exercise 3 – Battement Glissé
Music 2/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
1st to 2nd position, place L
hand on barre
Slightly turned towards
working leg
1 - 2 2 Glissés devant 2nd position
3 - 4 2 Glissés derrière with inside
leg
5 - 7 3 Glissés in 2nd position (close
back, front back)
En face
8 Hold
1 - 2 2 Glissés derrière Slightly turned towards
supporting leg
3 - 4 2 Glissés devant with inside
leg
5 - 7 3 Glissés in 2nd position (close
front, back, front)
En face
8 Hold Bras bas
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise As above As above
11
Barre
Exercise 4 – Rond de Jambe à Terre
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front L hand on barre, R arm Bras
bas
En face
Introduction
2 counts
Female – R arm Demi-
seconde to Bras bas
1 Tendu devant en fondu,
Demi-rond de jambe to
1st position Inclined to L
2 2nd position stretching
supporting leg, Demi-rond de
jambe to
2nd position En face
3 Derrière
4 Close 1st position Bras bas
5 Tendu devant, Rond de
jambe to
1st position Inclined to L
+ Derrière 2nd position En face
6 Hold
7 Tendu devant through 1st
position, Rond de jambe to
Bras bas, 1st position Inclined to L
+ Derrière 2nd position En face
8 Hold
1 - 7 7 Rond de jambes en dehors
12
+ Finish 2nd position Turned towards extended leg
8 Close 5th position derrière Bras bas
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise en
dedans
As above As above
Bras bas
13
Barre
Exercise 5 – Battement Frappé
Music 2/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
Tendu to 2nd position, lift and
place on Cou de pied
1st to 2nd position, place L
hand on barre
1 - 4 Battement frappé en croix
+5 Single Frappé to 2nd position
(front, side)
6 Hold
+7 Single Frappé to 2nd position
(back, side)
8 Hold
+ Return to Cou de pied
derrière
1 - 8 Repeat en dedans
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise
Coda
Close to 5th position devant en
demi-pointe
R arm Bras bas, 1st to 5th
position, L arm to join
Complement arms
Hold and lower heels into
Demi-plié and stretch
Through 2nd position to Bras
bas
14
Barre
Exercise 6 – Petit Battement
Music 6/8
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: Facing barre – 5th position, R
foot front
Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
Tendu R to 2nd position lift
and place to Cou de pied
(round the ankle)
Place hands on barre
1 - 2 Petit battement to back Slightly turned towards
working leg
3 - 4 Petit battement to front
+5 1 Petit battement (back, front)
6 Tendu to 2nd position
+7 Transfer weight to Pointe
tendu L and lift leg
En face
8 Place L foot to Cou de pied
1 - 8 Repeat to other side As above
1 - 8 1 - 6 Repeat whole exercise As above
7 - 8 Lower in 2nd position
Coda
1 - 2 Rise in 2nd position En face
3 R arm 1st to 5th position
15
4 L arm 1st to 5th position
5 - 6 Balance
7 Lower heels 2nd position
8 Close to 5th position, R foot
front
Bras bas
16
Barre
Exercise 7 – Retiré and Balancé
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front Bras bas En face
Introduction
2 counts
Place L hand on barre
+1 Small Ballotté to Pointe tendu
devant
1st to 2nd position Slightly turned towards
working leg
2 Place foot to Petit retiré
devant
Bras bas En face
3 Retiré (Pirouette position) R arm 1st position
4 Rise
5 Balance 1st position (both arms off
barre)
6 Close into 5th position en
Demi-pointe
Both arms remain 1st position
7 Demi-détourné to other side L arm 2nd position, place R
hand on barre
+8 Lower heels into 5th position
en Demi-plié and stretch
L arm Bras bas
1 - 8 Repeat other side As above As above
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise As above As above
Bras bas
17
Barre
Exercise 7A – Battement Fondu (Male)
Music 2/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
Place L hand on barre
1 - 2 Battement fondu extend R leg
devant
1st to 2nd position Turned towards working leg
3 - 4 Fondu to 2nd position Bras bas, 1st to 2nd position En face
5 Coupé under to 5th position
Demi-pointe
1st position
6 Fondu cou de pied devant (L
foot)
7 Coupé over to 5th position
Demi-pointe
8 Cou de pied on Demi-pointe
(R foot derrière)
1 - 2 Battement fondu extend derrière
2nd position To corner
3 Fondu on supporting leg
4 Stretch
5 Pass through 1st position en Demi-plié
6 Lift leg devant on straight supporting knee
18
7 Pass through 1st position on
straight leg
8 Lift in Arabesque
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat in reverse rising on
last 8 (devant) into quick
Demi détourné
As above As above
1 - 8 1 - 8
1 - 8 1 - 8
Repeat on other side As above As above
19
Barre
Exercise 8 – Grand Battement
Music 2/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
1st to 2nd position, place L
hand on barre
1+a Tendu devant
2 Close
3+a Grand battement devant
4 Close
5 - 8 Repeat derrière with inside
leg
1 - 4 2 Grand battements to 2nd
position closing back, front
Bras bas on second Grand
battement
5 Tendu devant en fondu 1st position Over front arm
6 - 7 Rond de jambe en dehors to
derrière onto a stretched
supporting leg
2nd position En face
8 Close 5th position derrière
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat in reverse As above As above
Bras Bas
20
Barre
Exercise 9 – Développé
Music 6/8
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front Bras bas En face
Introduction
2 counts
1st to 2nd position, place L
hand on barre
1 Tendu devant en fondu Complementary to all arm
movements
2 Close 5th position devant on
straight legs
Bras bas
3 - 4 Développé devant 1st to 2nd position
5 Lower to Pointe tendu devant
6 Close 5th position en Demi-pointe Bras bas, 1st to 5th position Turned towards raised arm
7 Demi-détourné 5th position
+8 Lower heels into 5th position en
Demi-plié and stretch legs
Open to 2nd position
1 - 8 Repeat other side As above As above
1 - 8 1 - 6 Repeat whole exercise in 2nd
position
As above As above
7 - 8 1/4 turn towards barre, lower into
5th position en Demi-plié with R
foot in front and stretch legs
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise derrière
facing barre, R foot in front
As above As above
21
Barre
Exercise 10 – Grand Battement en Cloche
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 1st position Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
1st to 2nd position, place L
hand on barre
1 Tendu devant Slightly towards working leg
2 Tendu through 1st position to
derrière
Over supporting leg
3 Grand battement en cloche
devant
En face
4 Piqué devant
5 - 7 3 Battements en cloche (back,
front, back)
8 Close 1st position
1 - 8 Repeat in reverse As above
Close 1st position Bras bas
22
Barre
Exercise 11 – Pas de Bourrée Piqué and Fouetté Raccourci (Female) Preparatory Exercise for Pointe Work
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: Facing barre – 5th position, R foot
in front
Bras bas En face
Introduction
1 - 6
Release back foot on count 6 Place hands on barre
1 - 3 Pas de bourrée piqué (finish in
Coupé on front leg)
4 - 6 Relevé in Retiré derrière, Fondu
on supporting leg
1 - 3 Pas de bourrée piqué (finish in
Coupé on front leg)
4 - 6 Relevé in Retiré derrière, Fondu
on supporting leg
1 - 3 Pas de bourrée piqué
4 – 6, 1 2 Coupés Fouetté Raccourci
lowering en fondu
2 - 5 Bourrée towards barre
6 Release back foot (Coupé over)
1 - 6 1 - 6
1 - 6 1 - 6
Repeat to other side
Lower into 5th position en Demi-
plié and stretch
Bras bas
23
Barre
Exercise 12 – Échappé (Female) Preparatory Exercise for Pointe Work
Music 2/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front Bras bas
Introduction
4 counts
1st to 2nd position, place L
hand on barre
Slightly turned towards
working leg
+ Petit développé (low) devant en
fondu
Bras bas Follow arm
1 Posé en avant into 5th position en
Demi-pointe
5th position Slightly lifted towards raised
arm
2 Lower into Demi-plié 5th position
+3 - 6 Repeat twice Hold in 5th position (on 2nd
repeat, 2nd position and
Bras bas)
7 - 8 Demi-détourné 1st to 2nd position
1 - 8 Repeat to other side As above As above
1 - 2 Échappé relevé to 4th, close 5th
position devant en plié
R arm 1st position
3 - 4 Échappé relevé to 2nd position to
face barre, R foot close 5th
position derrière en plié
Place hands on barre
5 - 6 Échappé relevé to 4th position to
face other side, L foot close 5th
position devant en plié
L arm 1st position
24
7- 8 Relevé 5th position 5th position
1 - 4 2 Relevés passés en arrière
(alternate legs)
Open to 2nd position
5 - 8 2 Échappés relevés changé
1 - 8 1 - 8
1 – 8 1 - 8
Repeat whole exercise to other
side
As above As above
25
Centre
Exercise 1 – Battement Tendu
Music 4/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position - R foot front, en face Bras bas En face
Introduction
2 counts
1 Tendu devant 3rd in opposition Turned towards front arm
2 Close 5th position devant en demi-
plié
3 Tendu devant
4 Close 5th position devant on
straight legs
5 - 8 Repeat to 2nd position (closing
front, back)
2nd position En face
1 - 4 Repeat to derrière 3rd in opposition Toward front arm
5 Tendu back foot to 2nd position 2nd position En face
6 Lower heel
7 Transfer weight to Pointe tendu L
foot
8 Close 5th position devant Bras bas
1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise to other
side
As above As above
26
Centre
Exercise 2 – Port de Bras
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, croisé Bras bas Over front shoulder
Introduction
2 counts
1 - 2 1st to 2nd position Complement arms
3 - 4 Chassé to 4th position croisé
attitude à terre
Bras bas, 1st position to 4th
in opposition
5 - 6 Hold Overhead to 4th position and
return
Head remains focused front
+ L arm open to 2nd position
7 Rotation towards back leg into 2nd position
8 Pointe tendu croisé devant (USL) Bras bas, 1st position to 4th
in opposition
1 - 2 Tendu through 1st position to 1st
Arabesque
Sweep top arm down and
into 1st Arabesque
3 - 4 Rotation towards back leg to
Tendu effacé
4th in opposition
5 Tombé into 1st Arabesque en plié Female - 1st Arabesque (palm upward)
Male – extend to a stronger line
+a6 Pas de bourrée dessous (under)
to 5th position en Plié croisé
Bras bas
27
7 Tendu back foot to 2nd position
écarté
Écarté downstage
8 Close 5th position croisé devant Bras bas
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat other side As above As above
28
Centre
Exercise 3 – 1st Pirouette Exercise
Music 4/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, en face Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
1 Tendu front foot to 2nd position 1st to 2nd position
2 Close 5th position devant R arm through Bras bas to
3rd position
+ Demi-plié Open R arm to 2nd position
3 Relevé devant 1st position
4 Close derrière en demi-plié 2nd position
5 - 8 Repeat to other side As above
1 - 4 Repeat taking preparation Tendu
to 2nd position and Demi-rond de
jambe to 4th position derrière and
a Relevé devant, close derrière
en demi-plié
As above
5 - 8 Repeat to other side As above
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise by taking
count 2 on Demi-plié with single
Pirouette
As above
29
Centre
Exercise 4 – Pirouette en Dehors (Female)
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, en face Bras bas En face
Introduction
2 counts
1 Tendu devant en fondu, Demi-
rond de jambe to
1st position
2 2nd position straightening
supporting leg, Demi-rond de
jambe to
2nd position
3 Derrière
4 Close 5th position derrière Bras bas
5 - 8 Repeat with L foot As above
1 Tendu R foot to 2nd position 1st to 2nd position
2 Close 5th position devant (straight
legs)
3rd position
+ Demi-plié R arm to 2nd position
3 Relevé to Pirouette position 1st position
4 Close 5th position devant en
demi-plié
2nd position
5 Tendu R foot to 2nd position,
Demi-rond de jambe to
30
6 Derrière in 4th position Bras bas to 3rd in opposition
+ Demi-plié 2nd position
7 Pirouette en dehors 1st position Pirouette head action
8 Close 5th position derrière en
demi-plié
2nd position
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise to other
side
As above As above
31
Centre
Exercise 4 – Pirouette en Dehors (Male)
Music 2/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, en face Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
1 Tendu devant en fondu, Demi-
rond de jambe to
3rd in opposition Over front arm
2 2nd position straightening
supporting leg
2nd position En face
3 Demi-rond de jambe to derrière
4 Close 5th position derrière Bras bas
5 Retiré passé R foot 1st position
6 Closing 5th position devant en
demi-plié
3rd position
7 Single Pirouette 2nd to 1st position
8 Closing 5th position derrière en
demi-plié
1 Tendu R foot to 2nd position
(stretching supporting leg)
Open to 2nd position Turned towards leg
2 Close 5th position devant en demi-
plié
3rd position En face
3 Single Pirouette en dehors 2nd to 1st position
32
4 Close 5th position derrière en
demi-plié
5 Tendu R derrière (stretching
supporting leg)
2nd position
6 Preparation 4th position en Demi-
plié
Full Port de bras to 3rd in
opposition
7 Double Pirouette en dehors 2nd to 1st position
8 Close 5th position derrière en
demi-plié and stretch
2nd position to Bras bas
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat other side As above As above
33
Centre
Exercise 5 – Pirouette en Dedans
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, croisé
facing DS
Bras bas En face
Introduction
2 counts
1 Tendu derrière en fondu 3rd in opposition Turned towards front arm
2 Assemblé soutenu to 4th position
croisé devant
3rd in opposition Turned towards front leg
3 Straighten supporting leg 4th in opposition
+4 Transfer weight onto front foot
into 4th position croisé devant en
fondu
R arm to 2nd position, L arm
undersweep to 3rd position
Croisé
+ Preparation to 2nd position en
face
2nd position En face
5 Pirouette en dedans (with a
Fouetté movement)
5th position Pirouette head action
6 Close 5th position devant en face
en demi-plié
2nd position En face
+ Release back foot into 2nd
position en fondu
7+8 Pas de bourrée dessous (under)
to 5th position en plié finishing
croisé
2nd position to Bras bas
34
+ Stretch legs
1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise to other
side
As above As above
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise As above As above
35
Centre
Exercise 6 – Temps Lié
Music 6/8
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, croisé Bras bas Over front shoulder
Introduction
2 counts
1st to 2nd position
1 - 2 Chassé croisé into 4th position
Pointe tendu derrière and lift into
Attitude en l’air
Bras bas, 1st position to 4th
in opposition
+a Extend back leg to Arabesque en
l’air lowering to Pointe tendu
derrière
2nd position
3 - 4 Plié through 4th position to Pointe
tendu devant
Bras bas, 1st to 2nd position Turned towards back leg
and over working leg
+ Fondu on back leg 2nd position
5 Posé to 5th position en Demi-
pointe croisé
Bras bas, 1st to 5th position
6 Lower heels 5th position en face
with straight legs
5th position En face
7 Tendu front foot to 2nd position en
face
2nd position
8 Close croisé derrière Bras bas Over front shoulder
1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise to other
side
As above As above
36
Centre
Exercise 7 – Adage (Female)
Music 6/8
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, en face Bras bas En face
Introduction 2 counts
1st to 2nd position Follow arms
+1 - 3 Chassé passé en arrière to
Pointe tendu croisé devant
Bras bas, 1st to 2nd position Turned towards back leg
and then over working leg
4 Close 5th position croisé Bras bas
5 - 7 Développé devant 1st position to 4th in opposition
8 Close 5th position devant
+ Rise and ¼ turn to L 2nd position Leave head to audience
1 - 2 Chassé en avant towards front foot to 1st Arabesque à terre
Bras bas, 1st position to 1st Arabesque
Follow arms
3 - 4 Lift en l’air 1st Arabesque
5 Lower to Pointe tendu derrière
6 Close 5th position derrière en demi-plié croisé
Bras bas Turned towards back foot looking down
7 Rise, small Bourrée sur place with ¼ turn to face front
4th position Under front arm
8 Lower heels en face 2nd position En face
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise to other side
As above As above
37
Centre
Exercise 7 – Adage (Male)
Music 6/8
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, en face Bras bas En face
Introduction
2 counts
1st to 2nd position Follow arms
+1 - 3 Chassé passé en arrière to
Pointe tendu croisé devant
Bras bas, 1st to 2nd position Turned towards back leg
and then over working leg
4 Close 5th position Bras bas
5 - 7 Développé devant 1st to 4th in opposition
8 Close 5th position devant 2nd position
+ Rise and ¼ turn to Leave head to audience
1 - 2 Chassé en avant to 1st
Arabesque à terre
Bras bas, 1st position to 1st
Arabesque
Follow arms
3 - 4 Lift En l’air 1st Arabesque
5 Fondu
6 Pas de bourrée under to en face Bras bas
7 Tendu back foot to 2nd position 1st to 2nd position Turned towards working leg
8 Close 5th position devant Bras bas En face
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat second side As above. Bringing the arms
to Bras bas on the final
count of 8
As above
38
Centre
Exercise 8 – Sauté (Female)
Music 2/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, en face Bras bas En face
Introduction
2 counts
+1 – 2 2 Soubresauts Bras bas
3 Sauté to 1st position 1st position
4 Échappé sauté to 2nd position 2nd position
5 Sauté to 5th position (R foot front) Bras bas
6 - 8 3 Changements Épaulement to front foot
1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise to other
side
As above
1 - 8 1- 8 Repeat whole exercise As above
39
Centre
Exercise 8 – Sauté (Male)
Music 2/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, en face Bras bas En face
Introduction
2 counts
1 Soubresaut
2 Changement
3 - 4 Repeat counts 1 - 2
5 - 6 Échappé sauté to 2nd and close
5th position (L foot front)
1st, 2nd position to Bras bas
7 Glissade derrière 1st to 2nd position
8 Jeté derrière 3rd position Over supporting leg
1 - 2 2 Temps levés
3+4 Coupé assemblé under 2nd position to Bras bas En face
5 Sissone ordinaire devant 3rd in opposition
6 Petit assemblé devant Bras bas
7 - 8 2 Changements
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat on other side As above As above
40
Centre
Exercise 9 – Polonaise and Pas de Bourrée
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, ouverte Bras bas Over front shoulder
Introduction
6 counts
Chassé en arrière to Pointe tendu
devant
1st to 2nd position
1 - 6 2 Polonaises (R L R, L R L) 4th in opposition (change
over head)
Complement arm
movements
1 - 3 Pas de bourrée en arrière en
diagonale to 5th position (R foot
over)
Undersweep R arm down to
low 3rd position
4 - 6 Pas de bourrée dessus (over) en
face to 5th position (L foot over)
1st to 2nd position
1 - 3 Pas de bourrée en avant en
diagonale to 5th position (R foot
under)
Bras bas through 1st to 4th in
opposition
4 - 6 Pas de bourrée dessous (under)
en face to 5th position (L foot
under)
2nd to 3rd position
1 Step with front foot to 2nd en
fondu
2nd position Turned towards extended
leg
2 - 3 Assemblé soutenu en tournant Full Port de bras to 5th
position
4 - 6 Step onto R foot to Pointe tendu
L devant ouverte
2nd position
1 - 6 1 - 6
1 - 6 1 - 6
Repeat whole exercise to other
side
As above As above
41
Centre
Exercise 10 – Pas de Chat and Pas de Basque (Female)
Music 2/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – L foot front, en face Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
1st to 2nd position
+1 Pas de chat with back foot Finish in Bras bas
+ Relevé in 5th position 1st to 5th position
2 Lower heels 2nd position
+3 - 4 Repeat Pas de chat and Relevé As above
5+ Pas de basque glissé en avant
finishing croisé
2nd, Bras bas, 1st position to
4th in opposition
Over front shoulder
6 Close 5th position derrière
+7 Glissade dessus (over) en face 3rd position Over front arm
+8 Glissade dessous (under) en face 3rd position
1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise to other
side
As above As above
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise As above As above
42
Centre
Exercise 10A – Tour En L’Air (Male)
Music 2/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, en face Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
Demi-plié on count 4+
1 Relevé in 5th position 3rd position
2 Hold
+ Demi-plié in 5th position
3 Tour en l’air changing feet 2nd to 1st position
4 Demi-plié 2nd position
5 - 6 Stretch
7 Tendu back foot to 2nd position Over working leg
8 Close 5th position devant Bras bas En face
+ Demi-plié
1 - 4 4 Changements Épaulement
5 Soubresaut 3rd position
+6 Tour en l’air changing feet 2nd to 1st to 2nd position
7 Stretch Bras bas
43
8 Hold
+ Demi-plié
1 - 8 1 - 7 Repeat other side As above As above
8 Hold
44
Centre
Exercise 11 – Petit Allegro
Music 6/8
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, en face Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
1 Échappé sauté to 2nd position 1st to 2nd position En face
+2 Sauté to 5th position beating R
foot back, close front
Bras bas
3 – 4 Repeat counts 1 - 2 As above
+5+6 2 Entrechats quatres Bras bas Épaulement towards front
foot
7 Changement Épaulement towards front
foot
8 Soubresaut Épaulement towards front
foot
1 – 8 Repeat whole exercise to other
side
As above As above
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise As above As above
45
Centre
Exercise 12 – Allegro (Female)
Music 2/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, ouverte Bras bas Over front shoulder
Introduction
4 counts
+1 Sissone fermé en avant 1st to 2nd position Turned towards front foot
+2 Sissone fermé en arrière Bras bas Turned towards back foot
+3 Sissone fermé en avant 1st position Turned towards front foot
+4 Sissone ouverte en avant 1st Arabesque Along front arm
+ Temps levé 2nd position Turned towards back foot
5 Chassé passé Bras bas
+6 Glissade derrière 1st position En face
+7 Assemblé dessus (over) Écarte Turned towards top arm
8 Changement Bras bas Turned towards front foot
1 – 8 Repeat to other side As above As above
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise As above As above
46
Centre
Exercise 12A – Allegro 2 (Male)
Music 2/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, croisé Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
+1 Sissone en avant to Attitude
derrière croisé
1st position to 4th in
opposition
Over front arm
+2 Coupé under Assemblé travelling
En avant
Extend arm to 1st
Arabesque in front
Along extended arm
+3+4 2 Sissones de côté over en face 3rd position Over front arm
+ Sissone devant ordinaire 1st position En face
5 Chassé to 2nd position 2nd position
+a6 Pas de bourrée under Bras bas
7+8 Échappé to 2nd. position beating
on close (L foot back front)
1st to 2nd position, Bras bas
1 - 6 Repeat L side As above
7+8 Échappé to 2nd position beating
on close (R foot back, front)
1st to 2nd position, Bras bas
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise As above As above
47
Centre
Exercise 13 – Grand Allegro (Female)
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – R foot front, en face Bras bas En face
Introduction
2 counts
Chassé passé en avant to 4th
position croisé
1st to 2nd position
1+a Balancé en avant with R leg
facing ouverte
1st Arabesque Complement all arm
movements
2+a Balancé en arrière Low 3rd in opposition
3 Chassé R foot to 4th position
ouverte
1st to 2nd position
+a4 Pas de bourrée dessous (under)
to 5th position
Bras bas
+5 - 8 Repeat counts 1 - 4 to other side As above
+1+ Posé temps levé R Through Bras bas and 1st
position to 4th in opposition
+2+ Posé temps levé L As above
3+4 Step, step Jeté en avant Bras bas, 1st position to 2nd
Arabesque
+5 Coupé chassé temps levé in 1st
Arabesque
1st position to 1st Arabesque Leave head to audience
6 - 8 Run round to other side
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat whole exercise to other
side
As above As above
48
Centre
Exercise 13 – Grand Allegro (Male)
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – L foot front, croisé Bras bas En face
Introduction
4 counts
Chassé en avant 1st to 2nd position Follow front arm
+1 Posé temps levé R in Arabesque Full Port de bras to 4th
opposition
Complement all arm
movements
+2 Posé temps levé L in Arabesque Full Port de bras to 4th
opposition
3+4 Step, step Jéte en avant Full Port de bras to 2nd
Arabesque
+ Temps levé on R in Arabesque 2nd position
5+ Step L, step R Full Port de bras to
6 Assemblé en avant (passing
through 1st)
5th position
7 - 8 Relevé 5th en face
+ Extend back foot to low 2nd
(preparation)
Opening to
1 Balancé to R travelling
backwards
L hand on hip, R arm to 2nd
2 Repeat L R arm to 1st position (figure
of 8)
3 Repeat R 2nd position
49
4 Repeat L Across
5 - 6 Assemblé soutenu to R 2nd, Bras bas, 3rd position
7 Demi-plié
8 Tour en l’air changing feet 1st to 2nd position
1 - 8 1 - 8 Repeat other side As above As above
50
Centre
Exercise 14 – Port de Bras and Révérence (Female)
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – L foot front, croisé Bras bas En face
Introduction
2 counts
Chassé en avant to Pointe tendu
R derrière
1st to 2nd position
1 - 2 Chassé passé to R croisé Bras bas, 1st position to 4th
in opposition
Complement all movements
3 - 4 Transfer through 4th position en
Demi-plié to Pointe tendu R
devant
Circular Port de bras
5 - 6 Tendu through 1st position to 1st
Arabesque en l’air
1st position to 1st Arabesque
7+a8 Fondu on supporting leg, Pas de
bourrée dessous (under) to finish
Pointe tendu L derrière
1st Arabesque to 2nd
1 - 8 Repeat counts 1 - 8 (closing into
5th position)
As above
1 - 2 Chassé to 2nd position to L to
Pointe tendu R
1st to 2nd position
3 - 4 Port de bras to L to 4th
position crossed recover
through 1st to 2nd position
5 - 6 Transfer weight through Demi-
plié to Pointe tendu L
7 - 8 Repeat Port de bras to R
51
1 - 2 Chassé en arrière through 1st
position to Pointe tendu devant
croisé
Bras bas, 1st to 2nd position
3 - 4 Petit développé devant croisé
with a slight rise and run in a
small circle to finish centre stage
en face
3rd in opposition
5 - 8 Révérence to both sides with
Chassé back croisé through 4th
position
2nd, Bras bas, 1st to 2nd
position
Close 5th position croisé Bras bas
52
Centre
Exercise 14 – Port de Bras and Révérence (Male)
Music 3/4
Counts Steps Arms Head
Commence: 5th position – L foot front, croisé Bras bas En face
Introduction
2 counts
Chassé en avant to Pointe tendu
R
1st to 2nd position
1 - 2 Chassé passé to R croisé Bras bas, 1st position to 4th
in opposition
Complement all movements
3 - 4 Transfer through 4th position en
Demi-plié to Pointe tendu R
devant
Circular Port de bras
5 - 6 Tendu through 1st position to 1st
Arabesque en l’air
1st to 1st Arabesque
7+a8 Fondu on supporting leg, Pas de
bourrée dessous (under) into
chassé to finish Pointe tendu L
derrière
1st Arabesque to 2nd
1 - 8 Repeat counts 1 - 8 (closing into
5th)
As above
1 - 2 Chassé to 2nd position to L to
Pointe tendu R
1st to 2nd position
3 - 4 Port de bras to L to 4th
position crossed recover
through 1st to 2nd position
5 - 6 Transfer weight through Demi-
plié to Pointe tendu L
7 - 8 Repeat Port de bras to R
53
1 - 2 Balancé L and R L hand on hip, R figure of 8
3 - 4 Soutenu 2nd position, Bras bas, 1st,
5th position
5 - 6 Révérence step R foot to 2nd,
close 1st position, bow and
recover
2nd position, both arms
down by sides
7 - 8 Repeat count 5 + 6 on other side L arm to 2nd position and
down to side
54
Additional Information
The Classical Ballet Syllabus was originally devised for the British Ballet Organization in 1988 by John Field
and Anne Heaton Field, and Revised in 1999.
2017 Syllabus Review Team
Syllabus Consultant: Janet Lupino
Project Manager: Julie Bowers (Head of Communications & Membership bbodance)
Syllabus Supervisor: Vicki Rice (Examinations and Awards Manager bbodance)
Education Advisor: Dr Carol Martin (Director of Learning bbodance)
Editorial Team: Fiona Knower & Jake Libiszewski
Music: Peter Jones
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