Name two arm positions commonly used in Cecchetti Grade 5.

• A. Bras bas (low) and fifth position en haut (high).
• B. Fifth position in front and first position.
• C. Third position and second position.
• D. Sixth position and detached arms.

Answer: (A)

In Cecchetti Grade 5, the two arm positions you’ll most often use are bras bas (low) and fifth position en haut (high).

Bras bas places the arms in a rounded, relaxed arc at hip-height, which gives a solid, grounded starting point for alignment, balance, and controlled transitions. It helps keep the shoulders broad and the ribcage lifted, supporting clean, precise port de bras and turns.

Fifth position en haut lifts the arms overhead in a long, elegant line, creating height and extension that accentuates line, turnout, and torso control. This position is used for many grand port de bras phrases and for creating expressive, tall silhouettes.

These two positions are essential because they provide the foundational contrast between a low, grounded stance and a high, elongated line, enabling the smooth, well-defined arm movements required at this level. Other pairings of arm positions, such as those focusing on front placements, other numbered positions, or detached arms, aren’t the standard pairing emphasized in Grade 5.