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Why did Feuillet notation fall out of use after the French Revolution?
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dance notation
Comparison of five systems of dance notation. (A) Starting position: stand with feet together. (B) Step forward on the right foot (count 1). (C) Land to the left, feet together, knees bent (count 2).
The Feuillet notation system fell out of use following the French Revolution due to two primary factors:
- Social Change: The system was designed for and highly popular among the educated classes and royal courts. As the political landscape shifted during the revolution, the prominence of these royal courts declined, leading to a corresponding decrease in the use of the notation system associated with them.1
- Technical Limitations: The Feuillet system was fundamentally unsuited for the evolving demands of theatrical dance. While it effectively captured intricate footwork and floor patterns, it lacked the capacity to record the greater range of movement and upper-body gestures that became essential to the development of professional ballet.12