What is the meaning of the ballet term Petits tours?

What is the meaning of the ballet term Petits tours?

• A. Small turns
• B. Linked together as a chain
• C. Beaten
• D. Shaded

Answer: (A)

Petits tours are small turns. In ballet vocabulary, tour means a turn, and petits indicates they are compact and quick. So this term describes a sequence of tiny, controlled rotations on one foot, with the other foot moving to set up or finish each turn. They’re used to develop balance, turnout, and spotting, often performed in a tight, traveling or in-place pattern to build precision. This contrasts with terms that describe different ideas: a linked chain of steps or turns is enchaînement, a beating action happens in battu steps, and shading isn’t a standard term for a turn.

Petits tours are small turns. In ballet vocabulary, tour means a turn, and petits indicates they are compact and quick. So this term describes a sequence of tiny, controlled rotations on one foot, with the other foot moving to set up or finish each turn. They’re used to develop balance, turnout, and spotting, often performed in a tight, traveling or in-place pattern to build precision.

This contrasts with terms that describe different ideas: a linked chain of steps or turns is enchaînement, a beating action happens in battu steps, and shading isn’t a standard term for a turn.