Fifth Position: it ain’t no thing.

Posted on January 24, 2011 by adultbeginner

Smirnoff says Mr. B aka Blalanchine used to come by Smirnoff’s father’s studio and complain about how no one in America will stand in fifth position.
I’m sure there are nuances to this statement that I do not understand.
But in the meantime, I like to imagine that people in the old country would just strike up a fifth like it weren’t no thing.
‘hey Bro, what are you doing?’
‘oh, you know, just hanging out. In fifth position. Aw yeah!’

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About adultbeginner

Had my first ballet class Ever at the advanced age of thirty-two. Yikes.

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This entry was posted in Getting Schooled, Technologic and tagged adult beginner, ain't no thang, ballet, fifth, Mr. B. Bookmark the permalink.

12 Responses to Fifth Position: it ain’t no thing.

Mark Panzarino says:

January 24, 2011 at 5:11 am

The thing about 5th position is that you have to have all of your opposing forces working at once. Opposite rotation of the upper body against the lower, the force pushing against the ground working against gravity, the pelvis working forward and up against the shoulder girdle working back.

Kinesiologically, that’s why it works so well and gives a dancer such stability. And why it’s lasted for centuries.

Reply
Tony says:

January 26, 2011 at 5:58 pm

Occasionally you’ll see someone in a store aisle or waiting for bus standing in 5th. I don’t think it’s a very natural position so it’s an instant giveaway they’ve done ballet at some time.

Reply
- Sarah Dani says:
  
  January 29, 2011 at 11:05 pm
  
  I notice that a lot as well! Or 1st position, most people don’t just hang out like that! Except for dancers
  
  Reply
  - adultbeginner says:
    
    February 3, 2011 at 6:40 pm
    
    Yeah! Fun to look out for ballet people in airports too, you know, the person standing in fifth, the person doing fidgety relevés
    
    Reply
Juliet says:

January 31, 2011 at 7:35 pm

Hmmmm, I typically hang out in fourth position, and no one seems to think a thing of it.

Reply
- adultbeginner says:
  
  February 3, 2011 at 6:40 pm
  
  Very ladylike
  
  Reply
Dianne says:

February 3, 2011 at 12:37 am

Yes, fifth position does inspire comments! It is almost impossible to do by many, yet knowing the “opposing forces” will get you close. Even if you have to work for a while in 3rd. Not an option to Mr. B., I’m sure.

Reply
- Mark Panzarino says:
  
  February 3, 2011 at 4:21 pm
  
  Well, this is what I learned from my teachers Peter Schabel and David Howard…so a more neo-classical fifth would certainly have a different approach in ways. Even SAB starts out the very young students in 3rd, I believe. I can ask when I go to the open house this Saturday.
  
  Reply
  - adultbeginner says:
    
    February 3, 2011 at 6:43 pm
    
    I like this opposing forces image, going to think about it next time I’m hanging out in fifth, see if it feels better than the old, ‘make my heel touch my toe, rotate hips out’ feeling
    
    Reply
Fayet says:

February 3, 2011 at 1:58 pm

Conincidentally I’m situated in Europe and in winter always, always, always stand in fifth while waiting for the tramway. Why? Because it keeps my legs nice and warm while the rest of my is freezing in this horrible winter.. How usefull ballet can be!

Reply
- adultbeginner says:
  
  February 3, 2011 at 6:43 pm
  
  Nice!
  
  Reply
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