ballet24/7 Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 I haven't had much practice with fouettes, but I'm 14 and still can't get over 16. I can probably do around 16-20 on flat, and only probably 10 en pointe. I need suggestions badly...people always tell me they're easier than I think, but I still can't seem to get them down. suggestions? Quote Link to comment
vrsfanatic Posted March 19, 2004 Report Share Posted March 19, 2004 (edited) ballet24/7 it would be helpful to know which fouette your teacher is having you study. There are 3 different ways to do fouette tour entournant. Are you opening directly side to demi plie with your working leg in 2nd, opening front with your working leg as you do demi plie, demi rond de jambe in demi plie as you carry the working leg side or opening working leg front with the demi plie and as you do the demi rond de jambe to the side you rise to demi pointe? At your age however up to sixteen on pointe is a good goal. On demi pointe you also seem to be right on track. Fouette requires great coordination, a strong releve/demi plie, and lots of practice! Edited March 21, 2004 by vrsfanatic Quote Link to comment
TeenyBallerinee Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 (edited) Stretch your legs to the max!! Even more than you think... that really helped me in my fouettes. Also be sure to get the "working leg" all the way side and to really use your plie. Hope this helps! Edited March 23, 2004 by TeenyBallerinee Quote Link to comment
Guest starrdancer Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 It is very important to use a good plie. I had so much trouble with fouettes as well, but a few classses ago, my teacher pointing out that i was not plieing at all, and just hopping up onto pointe. It really helped me! I hope it works for you too! Quote Link to comment
ballet24/7 Posted March 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 thanks a lot. I think i need practice too, and I've decided to work on my releve (doing 100 releves a day) The fouettes I have been taught are bringing the leg devant while in plie, rond de jamb side while still in plie, then turn. Quote Link to comment
Guest starrdancer Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 Hmm... I'll have to try that. Thanx! I also have been told that I am rocking my hips too much, and just need to let them move up and down, always being very stable. Pretend that you have a platform in the middle of your body, and that there is something balencing on it. You dont want to tip at all, or it will fall off. A little abstract, but Hey! It helped me! Quote Link to comment
vrsfanatic Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 ballet24/7 in order to strengthen your supporting leg for fouette you need to work on plie/releve on one leg, not just releve. Regarding the coordination for tour fouette en dehor with the working leg opening directly to the front into demi plie, maintaining the plie on the supporting leg as you carry the working leg demi rond de jambe, it is most important to use the arms and legs together, deepening the demi-plie on the supporting leg as you carry the working leg to the side. The working arm (same arm as working leg) must maintain 1st position with the supporting arm opening to 2nd as the working leg opens front. Open the working arm to the side from the finger tips to 2nd position allonge at the depth of the plie as the leg does demi rond de jambe side. Close the arms and legs together into 1st position at the same time you draw the leg strongly back, heel behind the knee of the supporting leg for half a rotation and as the body continues the turn the change of the working toes strong to the front of the knee, drawing the thigh back is a must to complete the turn. The working shoulder is very important in the aid of the turn, as in all turning movements en dehor. Without this thrust of the shoulder and the guiding of the supporting fingers, the spot of the head will not have the crisp character that will allow you to complete the turn in a divided fashion. When you open the working leg to the front take great consideration that the upper part of both legs are correctly rotated outward. No sitting on the supporting hip in demi plie and the working thigh must continue the rotation outward as it is opened to the front and then to the side. The next question to ask your teacher might be, what type of releve would he/she advise you use in turning movements? Do you roll up and down or are you to spring upward and downward? Just some food for thought! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted March 23, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 Thank you for a great explanation on this fouetté, Ms. Schneider! The only thing I might add here is that not all of us teach this fouetté with the working foot going both back and front on the retiré. I believe it should come directly to the final position, and not have that transition from back to front, which is unnecessary and can create a corkscrew action of the thigh. It used to be done that way many years ago, but I do not ever see it anymore. Quote Link to comment
vrsfanatic Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 Wow...now another one to add to my book! Thanks Ms. Leigh. Quote Link to comment
Guest starrdancer Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 A big problem of mine with fouettes, is that I through myseff off my leg when I rond de jambe it out to the side. I was trying the movement witho turning and I found that I couldn't keep on balence. Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted March 23, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 You need to learn the movement at the barre first. Then practice it a lot, and then in center, without turn. Your leg is moving outward, but your body must move up on top of the supporting leg, not out with the working leg. And you must not go backwards, but forward and up as the leg goes seconde and in to retiré. Quote Link to comment
FlexNPointe123 Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 I'm only 12 but I think that thats great! I can barely do 12 good ones on flat to the right! Congratulations! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted April 8, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 FlexNPointe, thank you for telling us that you are only 12. I had a feeling that was the case, but did not know for sure. It is VERY clear on the registration page that you MUST be 13 to become a member of this board. Even the youngest YD category says 13-16. There are all sorts of reasons for this rule, including legal ones, so there are no exceptions. Your posting privileges will be blocked until you reach 13. When that happens, please send email me or Mr. Johnson, and we will reinstate your privileges. Are your friends from Maine, onmytoes and Payge also 12? I would appreciate it very much if they would be honest about it. My email address is VLeigh7023@aol.com. Please save this, and write me when you are 13! Your resgistration will still be here, and you will not lose your post count. Quote Link to comment
onmytoes123 Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 I am thirteen, my birthday is 3/18/91. I just turned thirteen and that is the honest truth! I swear! I do not know Payge but I am sur she can tell you how old she is. I really AM 13! I hope you can believe me! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted April 8, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 Okay, onmytoes, I believe you. Thank you for responding though, as I really wasn't sure. Quote Link to comment
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