Coralseaa Posted July 7, 2003 Report Share Posted July 7, 2003 Hi, I would be taking a Majors exam in 2 mths time, however my new soft pointes are still slipping off at the heels on and off. I would like to place an elastic over to improve the situation but I have heard from my teacher that RAD examiners do not like to see elastics on shoes? Is that the norm and what can I do to improve the situation? Thank you! Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted July 7, 2003 Report Share Posted July 7, 2003 I've neither seen nor heard that Examiners don't care for elastics at the heels of soft-block shoes. If they are correctly installed, as for pointe shoes, it could even work to your credit! Quote Link to comment
balletowoman Posted July 7, 2003 Report Share Posted July 7, 2003 I've sat and passed exam in the RAD vocational graded exams -they're not called majors anymore- with elastic on my soft pointes, and nobody said anything. I do need them, so why not? Quote Link to comment
Guest bellepoele5 Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 I realise that this is probably not the place to ask but I was reading and was curious, what are the RAD exams? Also I would think that if you needed elastics on your shoes to be able to dance properly and not be worrying about your shoes coming off at the heels that it would be acceptable. Whatever form of a test I'm sure they want to see you dance to you're highest ability and if you are constantly worrying about your shoes then you aren't working to your full potential. If they questioned it that would be my defense. Quote Link to comment
Guest beckster Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 The RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) is a ballet examining board based in the UK but whose members and examiners are found worldwide. Teachers train and are certified under this method and may then teach the RAD syllabi and put their pupils in for exams if they want to. The syllabi consist mainly of set exercises and are designed firstly to get a good basic grounding, then split into two for those who want to dance for fun and those who may want to dance professionally or teach. They are known for being very traditional - perhaps a little stuffy in the past! Certainly the atmosphere of an exam is very traditional, correct dress and hair, calling the examiner "Miss ...", being very formal and polite. I have heard that RAD examiners don't like to see elastic on pointe shoes, but I expect this is probably out of date. I've never seen elastic on pointe shoes in my classes, and I was never offered it when I bought pointe shoes. I suspect that elastic is not "traditional" and therefore some older teachers (and therefore examiners) in england may still disapprove of it. However, as long as you are neat and tidy and are wearing the correct clothes, and as long as the elastic matches your tights, I can't see an examiner in this day and age marking you down for it! Quote Link to comment
Guest Hilarie Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 Hmm.... I've read that elastic at the back of your shoes can cause tendinitis Anyone know? Quote Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 i always understood that the risk of tendinitis came from placing the elastic directly at the back of the shoe, instead of each end being a little offf the center. Quote Link to comment
skippy Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 Hi Coralseaa, I am so glad you asked that question I am also about to take one of the majors (intermediate formally elementary) and my teacher is trying to find out if elastic is allowed. At the moment i am using water (sticking my heel, with shoe on, into water so the satin soaks it up) and this helps it stay attatched to the heel. I dont know if i can get away with this in the exam so as soon as i get an answer i shall let you know. I know over here in the UK they used to think that the elastic would cause more harm than good, i have noticed though that more and more use it including myself (all my old shoes have elastic). skippy Quote Link to comment
balletowoman Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 Frankly I don't think it matters. Personally, I've done my elementary (now intermediate), advanced 1 and 2 and Solo Seal Award with elastic on my soft pointes and pointes shoes (they were white!) The examiner said nothing (although I'm sure they are influenced by a lot of things) and I passed them all with good marks. I also have not worn the traditional leotard, as I needed more support (well, I'm getting old!) and therefore had a cross at the back... So what? As long as it's neat, then they should judge you on your dance quality not on what you're wearing. In fact, coming from France and having used the elastics all the time, I wasn't aware that it was frowned upon in the UK. So I didn't feel self conscious when I did my first vocational exam, and I passed it, so I guess it has given me confidence to continue the same way. I had pretty tough examiners and some who have been called 'very traditional'. Nobody has mentionned my elastics and I don't think in this day and age, it's appropriate to do so. I KNOW I dance better with elastic, so I will! If it's water you're using to keep the heel put, I would really encourage you to do it (or even a bit of rosin on the heel). It really doesn't spoil the look (how can it, it's hidden) and if you feel more confident in your dancing, then it SHOULD be there... Better that than having to dance with fear, having the heel slip off in the middle of an exercise, or having to check every minute. That will cost you points, that's for sure! Quote Link to comment
balletowoman Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 Frankly I don't think it matters. Personally, I've done my elementary (now intermediate), advanced 1 and 2 and Solo Seal Award with elastic on my soft pointes and pointes shoes (they were white!) The examiner said nothing (although I'm sure they are influenced by a lot of things) and I passed them all with good marks. I also have not worn the traditional leotard, as I needed more support (well, I'm getting old!) and therefore had a cross at the back... So what? As long as it's neat, then they should judge you on your dance quality not on what you're wearing. In fact, coming from France and having used the elastics all the time, I wasn't aware that it was frowned upon in the UK. So I didn't feel self conscious when I did my first vocational exam, and I passed it, so I guess it has given me confidence to continue the same way. I had pretty tough examiners and some who have been called 'very traditional'. Nobody has mentionned my elastics and I don't think in this day and age, it's appropriate to do so. I KNOW I dance better with elastic, so I will! If it's water you're using to keep the heel put, I would really encourage you to do it (or even a bit of rosin on the heel). It really doesn't spoil the look (how can it, it's hidden) and if you feel more confident in your dancing, then it SHOULD be there... Better that than having to dance with fear, having the heel slip off in the middle of an exercise, or having to check every minute. That will cost you points, that's for sure! Quote Link to comment
skippy Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 I have used rosin in the past which is also helpful the only problem being that the studio i will be taking the exam in will not have rosin in it. I have to take my exam up at the RAD headquaters and i dont think they would appreciate me taking some in just so i could stick my shoe to my heel. I will probably resort to elastic. Quote Link to comment
Guest grace Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 coralsea, i would underline the post of bellepoeole5, in particular. but i also would suggest to you that *IF* there is any question that the SHOES are the problem, then NOW is a good time to get new ones, as you still have time to break them in. as a teacher of a student who is doing RAD Advanced 1, in 3 weeks time, who just decided yesterday, that her point shoes are all of a sudden too soft to do the exam, i am NOT IMPRESSED, and wish she had realised this was going to happen, a few weeks back, so she had more time to soften them, and get them just right for *THE DAY*. OK, that's MY rant! and welcome, coralsea - do you mind if i ask where you're located, with such an exotic name? Quote Link to comment
Coralseaa Posted July 9, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Hi Grace and everyone who has replied, I am from Singapore and thank you for all your responses. It's good to know i am not the only facing shoes that slip off at the heels ! Quote Link to comment
skip Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 i know i'm practically not supposed to answer here, but i thought i could be helpful. since a few years, dresscode for the exams have changed a tiny little bit. were you always pussed to wear the waist band, it's not mandatory anymore. also, elastics are allowed now. just as balletowoman, i used elastics on my softpointes for my intermediate and advance 1 exam. nothing being said and i passed both of them. in fact, when i was at summerschool (at hq) the lady from the shop that came with stuff (so, not the shop from the RAD) like pointes and leotards, adviced me to sow in an elastic to keep my shoes on my feet. skippy, if you'll be doing exam at hq, you'll probably take that in the genee-studio. they have rosin in that studio (although they used to steel it out of there during summerschool ). good luck with all the exams, ~SKIP~ Quote Link to comment
Guest sillygal Posted July 12, 2003 Report Share Posted July 12, 2003 (edited) Post deleted, as it was totally illegible due to being totally written in teenspeak. I'm sorry, but I missed this post when it first appeared and just discovered it today. Sillygal, the explanation for this is on your topic on Pointe Shoe Preparation and Extensions and arabesques, in YD forum. Edited July 26, 2003 by Victoria Leigh Quote Link to comment
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