Info on ballet?

Question

I plan on taking ballet classess this fall and I'm 14 well I just need all the info I can get on ballet and what I need to do to prepare for it and would i be put in a class with a bunch of little kids sense im a beginner. Just give me all the info you kno about ballet and if possible answer my questions.

Answer 1

Ballet is a means of expressing a theme or, as in most cases, telling a story through the medium of dance. As such, ballet as a genre may generally be broken down into the following four basic elements:

Choreography - this is the dance element of the ballet. More specifically, the term refers to the design of the dance, ie. the particular movements which are executed by the performer(s).
Music - this is the melodic accompaninent to the dance.
Plot - this is the story being enacted within the ballet.
Decoration - this is combination of visual elements, ie. scenery, props and costumes, which are added to enhance the telling of the story.



There are certain set positions in ballet for the arms and particularly for the feet which give the dancer a particularly pleasing aspect as well as providing a starting point for particular moves and interchanges. Described on this page are just a few of the more basic principles.

There are five basic foot positions in ballet, which are common to all teaching methods. Note that all of these are based on the 'turn-out', ie. with the feet pointing in opposing directions either in a straight line, or offset with one foot in front of the other.


First Position: Feet together, in line, heel to heel.


Second Position: Feet apart, in line, heels opposed.


Third Position: Feet together, front and behind, overlapping by about a half foot length.



Fourth Position: Feet apart, front and behind. Feet may be a) closed - fully overlapping, or b) open - no overlap.


Position: Feet together, front and behind, fully overlapping
Unlike the foot positions, the positions of the arms are not standard with different teaching methods each having their own numbered set of arm positions. The following illustrate the basic set of arm positions commonly taught in ballet. Note that the arms are never held straight but are always gently curved. Furthermore, it is the positions of the arms and legs in combination that give the overall character to the pose. Note also that the tilt of the head and the facial expression can be used to enhance or radically alter the character of the position (see 5).

Preparatory Position: Arms lowered, hands a little in front of the thighs (bras bas - "arms low"). This is the ballet dancer's equivalent of 'stand at ease'.
First Position: Arms forward (held curved and apart as though embracing a large object. This position is known as the gateway position since it is the mid point of transition between other positions.
Second Position: Arms held out to the side, curving slightly forward.
Third Position: Arms held aloft (en couronne - "like a crown").
Combination: One arm extended to the side, other held curved in front.
Combination: One arm raised overhead, other held curved in front - note change in character from head straight to head tilted.

Ballet can be analysed into seven basic categories of movements (the invention of this classification has been variously attributed to at least two 18th Century dance masters, Noverre and Feuillet). These categories are:

pliér - to bend
etendre - to stretch
relever - to rise up
sauter - to jump/leap
elancer - to dart
glisser - to glide
tourner - to turn
In a pas de deux (duet) you can add at least four more:
to lift
to throw (jeter)
to catch
to carry


Those are just a few things you need to know about ballet. For the start I would recommend knowing your positions and maybe a few of the motions.

Also to answer your question about the little kids I'll let you know that most likely you aren't the only one who is just starting ballet around your age. So most likely you will be put with a group of dancers in your own age group.

Answer 2

Try learning some of the basics by looking at a lot of the YouTube Level One lessons online. Then once you feel you've mastered the fundamentals... well, starting taking real live classes.

Cross-training for ballet is essential. Things like Yoga, Pilates and swimming. Not only will they help, but after taking ballet (and really getting the hang of it), everything else will be a lot easier. Not just other sports, but life in general.

Hey, have an iPhone and listen to music all the time--whenever you damn-well do anything.

Good luck and all the best....


--Merde A Million Times Over, Dane Youssef

Answer 3

Hey Beautiful. Be open, even if you do start with some younger kids! I started dancing at the age of 11 and by the age of 14 I was at the School of American Ballet for 3 winter terms on scholarship. I danced as a apprentice with Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle. I taught ballet when I decided I wanted to go to college instead.

Stretch and learn all you can now. Try and find a reputable school, rent DVD's of good companies like New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Your love, desire and dedication will determine how far you take it. I didn't mind having young kids in my class. My teachers new I was serious and I took as many classes as I could since I got such a late start.

It also helps to be realistic. For instance, do not expect to be a professional ballerina if you do not have the physique of a ballet dancer. However, there are so many different areas you can go into in the ballet world. You could get a journalism degree and be a dance writer or critique. You could teach, work behind the scences or even in costumes.

Good luck to you Beautiful! I know you will have fun!

Here's one more little hint! Start stretching now as much as you can. It really helps to stretch after a nice hot bath. It will make you even more flexible.

Answer 4

Okay first off if your 14 trust me your studio won't put you in a class with 6&7 yr olds. Your studio ethier has a begginers class for maybe ages 13 - 15 or they will have a beginners class stretched with many different ages for all beginners so there will be a few people that fall in you age category so you might end up with Lil kids but you definitely won't be the only one. Okay so make sure you get split sole ballet slippers. Another things is even if its not close to time stretch!!! Look up on YouTube stretches for beggining dancers!!! Even when dance starts when u get home from school spend 20 - 30 min a day stretching! Okay one more thing is even of its not mandatory for your studio to look professional and like your taking it serious and you wanna learn don't wear tank top / shirt and shorts. Please wear a leotard , tights , and shorts over the leotard if you please. Always bring water to dance. The last thing is to have fun!

Answer 5

Alright Ballet is a very interesting type of dance now if you don't want to be put in a class with baby I know you don't but any who then I would practice start by finding a local dance store and buy ballet shoes ask for help if your not sure what to look for, also if you know what a plie' is that is bending at the knees basically start with that also work on your flexibility it will count. I also do dance and this was my 2nd year of ballet so it is a great thing to contuine you may also want you to know that it does take alot of time to get good if they do put you in a little kids class its probably because they want you to know the basics really well. I wish you the best of luck if you have any other dance questions look for Amore from France.

Answer 6

I was 13, almost 14 when I begun dancing. I would reccomend learning some of the vocabulary involved in ballet so you are not lost in the class. I had a friend who had introduced me to the art and she taught me some of the key vocabulary and steps (the positions, tendus, jetes ect...) I would make sure that you know what style the studio you will be dancing at uses. As well as starting at a smaller studio so you have more individualized class, helping you improve quicker. And you will get corrections in the class. Be prepared for this and do not let it discourage you from pursuing ballet.

Answer 7

Yes,you probably will be put in a class with a bunch of little kids because you are at the same level as anyone else who has never done ballet.But you may be moved to a more advanced class as soon as you know the basics.It all depends on the school!

Answer 8

Well, for the basics, I think that you should go to a local ballet store, dance store, whatever, and buy SPLIT SOLE shoes. Do not buy shoes at payless either. Buy split sole because, for one, they make your feet look better than a whole sole shoes., but i really like them a lot better.

They you should start stretching, like start doing a middle split, and a split. You should also work on your turnout, if you know how to. Do the frog (The butterfly position on your stomach, and ask someone to push you. This should really help. ) If you don't know what I'm talking about, search frog position on google.

You should also practicing standing on the soles of your feet. Try to turn out your feet while your doing this. Stand there, and try to do plies (if i spelled it right).

That's mostly all you need to do to get ready.

Answer 9

go to http://www.abt.org/education/dictionary/

it helps me a ton with my dance classes, even though i started when i was 4. its rele great cuz it even has little videos that show u what the steps look like.

hope that i helped!