Month: March 2022

Even something from the simplest plié can be difficult to master in ballet, but years of practice will certainly help. However, despite my many years of experience studying ballet, there are some steps that are still very difficult and require the utmost focus and struggle.

 

Turn Tire-Bouchon from Développé Écarté

Tire-bouchon refers to the leg momentarily being in passé, and passing through that position to extend the leg outwards. One variation of this “pencil-turn” is beginning from an écarte derrière position, with the same leg as arm in the air, similar to the one shown in the picture (except this one is on pointe instead of standing on flat with the full foot on the ground). In this picture, the working leg would be the leg to the viewer’s right, same as the arm to the viewer’s right. The left arm would be placed in second position and the standing leg is straight and turned out from the hip, using muscles in the glutes for external rotation. From this position, the standing leg bends in plié, and then the lifted leg quickly folds into passé. The body turns en dedans (that means en relevé- the ball of the foot), or toward the direction of the standing leg. After completing the turn, the leg off of the ground extends into the same position from the start of the turn, into développé écarté. Simultaneously, the arm in second position shifts upwards to fifth position while the arm originally up goes down to second position. While the leg folds into passé, this shifting of arms occurs, with the arm in second position gathering momentum to turn the whole body. The arms then go through first position during the turn, and extend out to the original arm position when the leg returns to its original position. What makes this step difficult is the coordination of the arms and the legs, as the arms have a longer distance to travel, but the whole body needs to turn at the same time and arrive in the final position at the same time. Plus, both the standing and working legs must be turned out, the foot in the air pointed, the arms held, shoulders down, core engaged- all of these fundamental rules applied. This step cannot be done correctly without being connected with one’s center and constantly thinking about how to push the floor away to elevate and lengthen the body.

 

 

Entrechat Cinq and Six

The image to the right shows the sequence of an entrechat quatre, which involves crossing the feet from the fifth position, out, and into a fifth position with the other foot in front. There are two categories of entrechat jumps: even numbered and odd numbered jumps. The jumps are counted using both legs. In this example, we start with the right leg in front. The even numbered jumps like in the image are counted (1) legs open, (2) right foot crosses back and left foot is front, (3) legs open again, and (4) the legs close back to fifth position in the air with the right foot infront again. Hence, the quatre, or four, count. Even numbered jumps are landed with both feet in fifth position plié. For odd numbered jumps, starting from the fifth position, the ending position would be on one leg. In entrechat cinq, the count is (1) Start from fifth position in the air, right foot infront, (2) open legs, (3) Cross left foot in front of right foot in the fifth position, (4) open legs again, and (5) cross right leg infront again and land in coupe derrière, with the left foot in coupé. The same count can be done for the devant (front) position, with the left leg landing on the ground and the right leg in coupé. For entrechat six, since it is even, it lands on both feet. What makes this step more difficult than entrechat quatre is that there is an extra crossing of the feet, making three beats. Since one only gets one plié to prepare for all three beats, executing the third beat is quite difficult for me. Occasionally, I would use a back and forth motion instead of opening the legs outwards to the sides in order to do the third beat, which is improper form. This step requires very quick movement in the air which takes time and coordination to do properly. As for entrechat cinq, the execution is not as challenging, but I could get lost in the terminology difference between entrechat trois and entrechat cinq, both landing in coupé with odd numbered counts.

 

There are many complicated steps in ballet with one common denominator- the application of basic techniques such as straightening legs and a good use of plié that would allow one to succeed. In the next blog, I will share more humbling ballet steps that drive me to work harder each day.

In just a short period of time, the Wordle game, released this past October, has grown exponentially in popularity and frustration of its players. Rebus? Cloth? Tapir? Some of the five letter word answers of this game have left players much like myself thoroughly irate.

Look to the right, at this example of a Wordle. Though the player could have gotten the correct answer on their third try with CRAMP, they used three extra tries to arrive at the answer. The English language itself has an innumerable amount of words starting with CRA, where choosing a process of elimination method could spell out the difference between SUCCESS and FAILURE.

The breadth of the English language has not been an ally to my own playing. Often, surrounded by peers in the passing period (sometimes spilling out later) into AP Literature, I have found myself the victim of the four to five try range, whereas my “friends” at my table would reveal their glistening two or three attempts- yes, I am talking about YOU Shay! These peers would try to encourage and comfort me when my crazed desperation began to surface each day of playing the game, to no avail. I was left vexed by my inadequate skills in applying basic linguistic knowledge, and subjected to condescencion. Everywhere I look, on Instagram, in class, online, I see people showing off their few attempts at the Wordle; I wonder whether I am surrounded by geniuses or if I am truly the one lacking the braincells.

One day, I decided that I would change my daily fate. There has to be strategies to outstep the sadistic New York Times’ literary trickery. I consulted one of my table mates and fellow New York Times conspirator Shay to see how I could improve my process. She gave me the advice of using a better starting word- something like “adieu” or “audio” to test popular vowels. Shay said that the first two guesses were the most important. Fueled by this newfound wisdom, I put the strategy to the test, resulting in my first ever three attempt game. At first I was thrilled to use this strategy, but over time, my scores began slipping back into the dreaded four to five zone. I needed more tips.

Online, I found that the New York Times actually has some guide for help, titled “A Collection of the Best Wordle Tips and Tricks” by Alexis Benveniste and Jackie Frere. Despite my reservations about the Times itself, I know that it is a reputable source; Besides, what better source to beat the game than the owner of the game itself?

One of the strategies listed was the one Shay gave to me: use words with many vowels like “adieu” or “canoe.” Some other popular words are “table,” “tread,” and “steak.” Beyond that, there are many divergent schools of thought. Some believe that it is better to start with the same word every time as Benveniste and Frere say it “can give you a baseline strategy for every game… you might pick the right word on your first try.” Some social media users have actually created a statistical analysis on letter frequency, which is worth a try looking into as well. Another strategy- which in my opinion is less advisable- is to start with a different word each time playing the game. John Green was interviewed, admitting ‘“I know this is not the ideal strategy, or even a good one, but I like it…I usually get it in four…”’ (Benveniste and Frere, 2022). To escape the four to five range, I was sure to avoid this strategy and beat John Green.

The process of elimination is a large part of the game, and can be furthered by selecting two very different words in the first two attempts. For example, when starting with “adieu,” guess “tryst,” “shore,” “torch,” or “north.” Something that includes other common vowels or consonants that would reveal even more information than a guess that is limited with the letters from the previous guess. Though the results may not be as exaggerated as the picture to the left, it is definitely beneficial to use this strategy.

I attempted this strategy for one Wordle game, beginning with “adieu” and choosing the word “tromp” as it is common letters t, r, m, and tests the vowel o.

It is good to observe that this Wordle answer includes a repeated letter e. It is true that repeated letter guesses may be less effective in ruling out letters, but could also test different spaces for where a yellow letter could be located in the word (Benveniste and Frere, 2022).

Many times, I found myself stumped by my next guess- which word would reveal the most information given the tests in my first guess? Like my peer Shay, I decided to use pen and paper to brainstorm- an easier way to visualize words and letters. I filled post-it notes with possible and improbable ideas, yet in the long run I was able to make more educated and effective guesses.

With these strategies, it helps to constantly refine my method and try different strategies to see which works the best for me. Keep in mind that the game involves a fair amount of luck and even the most advantageous starting words can lead to all eliminations.

Honestly, beyond all the strategies and exercises of patience, the best part of playing the game is the connections I found with other players. After all, Wordle is something to be enjoyed and shared with those that appreciate it as well. The memories of ranting and raving, the frustration, and more were not shows of hopelessness. They were treasured tokens of the bonds forged with friends over a simple word game.