What is the difference between open and closed arm positions?

• A. Open arms extend outward for line; closed arms stay near the body; used depending on the phrase.
• B. Open arms stay near the body; closed arms extend outward.
• C. Open arms are above the head; closed arms are at chest level.
• D. Open arms belong to older technique; closed arms to modern.

Answer: (A)

Arm position in Cecchetti is all about line and control. Open arms extend outward from the torso to create a long, uninterrupted line, helping the dancer project and keep the spine elongated during outward movements. Closed arms stay near the body, giving a more compact silhouette that stabilizes the frame and makes transitions smoother or quicker. So the best answer matches that open arms extend outward to lengthen the line, while closed arms stay close to the body and are used depending on the phrase. In practice, you’d choose open arms for a strong, extended line and closed arms when you need more control and readiness for the next step.