Classical Ballet Technique

As a very fit, female adult who was looking for a new way to stay active, I decided to try adult ballet classes and love them. As I wanted to better prepare for class, I looked for a book like this one. I particularly like the photos showing how NOT to do things...very helpful for a newbie. I also enjoyed the section on the Ideal Ballet body. I don't buy into the ludicrous PC notion that being overweight is ever good and this section makes it clear that to dance professionally you need to be LEAN. It also was nice to see that I fit into the ideal ( 5'8" and 116lbs...okay I am a pound over the cutoff of 115) and even though I obviously will never dance professionally, its just nice to know. A lovely book overall.

Absolutely love this book due to its comprehensive description of ballet terminology and illustrations on its execution. This book was one of my textbooks in college and is still one for me as a dancer and teacher.

I bought this book a few months ago and now I wish I'd done it years ago... This is a must-have if you are a dance teacher. It has detailed descriptions and step-by-step photo analysis of every single step in ballet vocabulary, from the simplest positions to the most elaborate allegro. What I really love is that it contains descriptions of the various ways in which students get the steps wrong and what the correct version should look like. It is also very organized, concise, short and to the point, so it is no problem to get the exact information you need. Not a book for amateurs, but a must for professionals.

Highly recommend this book for any level dancer wishing to improve. The photograghs illustrate correct and incorrect technique. This book is full of photographs, illustrating the different styles of ballet and up close photos of feet and hands, etc.to help a beginner understand the details of ballet. Movements are broken down with inch by inch progression as a ballerina leaps through the air or executes a pirouette. Also explains desirable physical attributes of a professional ballerina. This book was recommended to me by my instructor who was a professional ballerina in the Boston Ballet.

When I moved to a small town, I was asked to teach ballet at a local studio. Because I had never been a profesional, I was a bit apprehensive, and a bought a couple books for help. Also my teaching methods,especially the placement of the pelvis, differed greatly from the studio director's view. This book, as well as the book, Inside Ballet Technique were wonderful guides to share with my students. Through pictures in this book, I could show my students how poor alignment, like a tucked under pelvis, can destroy your posture and can greatly hinder your development as a dancer. Without this book and its pictures, I don't know if my students would have ever believed that a neutral, properly placed pelvis is the foundation for ballet. (They had been taught for years the grip/tucked pelvis method) If there are teachers or students out there that think tucking your pelvis under will help improve your posture or that gripping your butt is the end all answer to all technique problems, they need to read this book as well as read Inside Ballet Technique. These two books dispel many of the Ballet myths that are taught every day in classes.

This book is just what every dancer needs. A wonderful reference. It includes hundreds of photos. Specific notes and descriptions of correct execution of positions, steps, moves. I especially love that there are photos of the incorrect way, too. Goes into detailed explanations of why different exercises are important. Detailed coverage of everything ballet :)

More due to paper stock than content, but I digress. I feel like this is an advanced book. If a beginner were to pick it up, they would give up quickly. However, I’m finding it useful! The illustrations are not the clearest but with the text it’s no problem. I think a teacher or advance student would get the most out of it. I’m intermediate and I am still happy with my purchase. Much to learn and be remembered. One star off for the weight. Not practical to have in a petite persons bag. lol

I brought this to the studio I work at and everyone reads it to gain a few pointers on how to properly execute their technique. I and others at the company have improved out technique. I love how they show incorrect and correct ways of how to do it. There are some things i disagree with in the book, like the 'ideal' ballet body, which is all really based on opinnion, not fact. Exsecially today the dance world has become very accepting of different bodies.

I bought this book and I can only say that it is much better than I had thought. It is full of descriptive pictures and description of the steps. I highly recomend this book for students of ballet and teachers.

I have been looking everywhere for this book, until Amazon had it. It came in great condition and loving reading it!

本当にすごい本です。 専門書って雰囲気ではありません。 皆さんおっしゃるように、詳しくわかりやすい、 写真で見るバレエ用語の辞書です。 姿勢の取り方から、１〜５のポジションの基本、 アラベスクからなにから、最後のページはレビュランスまで 正しいのはこれだっという定義がわかります。 どの動きも、アメリカンバレエシアターのソリストを中心とする モデルさん達による、完璧な動きの連続写真が主で、 短い英文で気をつけるべきポイントが解説されています。 センターレッスンの動きではリズムの音譜付きだったり one' and-' ーーーーーー→ ah' なんて掛け声付き？で写真が出ていて あと、基本の動きだけではなく、この場合はこう、とか いろんなバリエーションの動きが載っていて、 とにかく、バレエのすべての動きがわかります！ 誤った例も写真がたくさん載っていて、 どこが間違っているか、なぜいけないか、書かれています。」 初心者から指導者まで、だれもが一冊、一家に一冊です。 英語がわかるかな？と正直不安でしたが、 バレエを多少でも習っている人なら、 大体雰囲気で理解できると思います。 逆にこれで、へえー英語ではこう言うんだ、って覚えちゃうかも、です。 （アンドゥオールはturn outなんですね） ところどころにそのパの使われている例として アメリカンバレエシアターの舞台の写真や レッスン風景などがはさまっていて、いい味してます。 英語であることはマイナスポイントにはならないけど、 でも、これを日本語に完訳してくれる人がいたら、 もう星20個ですよ...誰かお願いします！！

Stunning book which is a very thorough breakdown of ballet technique. It has detailed descriptions and step-by-step photo analysis of every single step in ballet vocabulary, from the simplest positions to the most elaborate combination. Aa great guide for intermediate/advanced students and teachers alike.

De inhoud is goed, maar het boek kwam beschadigd aan, alle hoeken waren lelijk en de kaft was gevouwen.