Ballet Terms

Pas de valse

Pronunciation: /pɑ d(ə) vals/

What does “Pas de valse” mean in ballet?

( ; 'waltz step.') A sequence of three steps— fondu, relevé, elevé (down, up, up)—always advancing (like a march), done in three counts to music generally in 3 4 time, traveling in any direction or while turning ( en tournant ). The feet do not assemble (or "cross each other") on any step as occurs in a balancé ; each step instead passes the last.

See also

New to ballet? Read our ballet guide — history, the five positions, class structure and how adults can start.

Definition adapted from Glossary of ballet on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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