Failli

Failli – Definition, Tips, Videos, etc

Jan 25th, 2011 | Posted by Bonnie

[fah-yee']

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Translation: To nearly fall

Category: Connecting Step

Failli is a movement that has the body supported on one leg, lean off-balance, then quickly pass the other leg in a given direction and catch the fall.
In this move, the dancer springs into the air, landing on the front foot with the back foot raised. The back foot then slides through to the front. During the spring the body is turned slightly inwards towards the front foot with the face turned away.

Ballet Videos with Faille – Here are a couple of videos that show dancers performing this fleeting movement done on one count.

Here is a video of myself learning faili for the first time:

3 Tips on How to Improve your Failli – Failli is done as a continuation step into other step; I am sharing few tips that I feel might me useful in learning and improving this move:

Failli should be done on one count as this move is supposed to have a certain characteristic fleeting air about it.
Proper Failli can be achieved only with the correct accompaniments of the arms. There should be no underscored movement and the arms should move softly as if they are moving spontaneously.
The final pose of Failli can also serve as a preparation from the 4th position for turns or for some other movement.

What is your experience with Failli? How easy or tough do you find it compared to other connecting steps? You are most welcome to share your tips and experiences with this move!

For other resources on Failli, please see Ballet Dictionary and Ballet Terms.

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Image Sources:

I-L-Fitness-JP