Guest lttl_dancin_meggie Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 When it comes to pirouette turns, I'm a mess! I can't seen to hold myself togather long enough and only occationally can do doubles. I'm not sure what my problem is , but if anyone has any advice on how I can improve please reply! Thank you! Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 The seeds of your solution are in your question! Hold yourself together long enough! A pirouette, after all, is just a balance done while you're turning. Go up as one unit, stay that way, and come down after! Sounds easy doesn't it? What would I get if I bet that you're letting your shoulders come up when you try to turn? Keep them from rising up in the first place! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted March 31, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 Hello meggie I imagine you have been welcomed somewhere else, but this is the first thread of yours that I came to, so, welcome to the Young Dancers' forum here on Ballet Talk for Dancers! Pirouettes, and I assume you are talking about en dehors and en dedans pirouettes here, are learned just like a, b, c's. Before you can turn successfully, you need to learn all of the things that lead into it. Have you been taught correct alignment and weight placement in the 4th position? Have you learned how to relevé to the pirouette position and hold it for a moment? Have you learned how to motivate the turn with the energy from the plié in the front leg and the use of the back muscles? Have you learned how to spot? All of these things are important ingredients in this pie, and they must be there or the pie is a flop! Quote Link to comment
Guest lttl_dancin_meggie Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 Thank You, both Mel and Victoria! Sadly I have been in a few bad schools, for example when I first went onto pointe I was in bad school and no one ever told me not to do turns on a bent knee. By the time someone pointed it out it took forever to correct. I'm in a better school now but there might be some smaller thing that I don't have right and have not picked up on. So thank you both again and I'll try to practice and talk to my teacher maybe also! Thanks! Meggie Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted April 1, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Meggie, we are here to help However, we are also teachers, and prefer to be addressed as Ms. Leigh and Mr. Johnson, okay? It's just ballet etiquette! Quote Link to comment
Guest lttl_dancin_meggie Posted April 2, 2004 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't know! Please forgive me! Meggie Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted April 2, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 It's okay, Meggie Now you know! Quote Link to comment
FlexNPointe123 Posted April 6, 2004 Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 I used to have the same problem...I found out that I used to try to "hop" up onto the ###### of my fee, pulling me off balance. Try to "slide" up and spin at the same time! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted April 6, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 Nope, sorry, FlexNPointe, but both "slide" and "spin" are not terms one should associate with pirouettes. I know how you mean it, but still, that can be very misleading for another student. One does not slide to a relevé, and a pirouette is not at all the same thing as a spin. Ice skaters spin! Quote Link to comment
FlexNPointe123 Posted April 6, 2004 Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 OOPSIES! I think that I will leave the suggestions to you, since it is your job as BALLET MISTRESS!! Mayve you could explain what I mean in better terms! Do you understand what I'm saying? Quote Link to comment
Guest lttl_dancin_meggie Posted April 7, 2004 Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 I think I kinda get what your saying FlexNPointe. Thank for trying to help! Quote Link to comment
FlexNPointe123 Posted April 7, 2004 Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 You're Welcome! I'm glad that you see what I mean, it is so hard to try and type what I mean! If you ever need advice, I will do my best to give it to you! Quote Link to comment
onmytoes123 Posted April 7, 2004 Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 I get what FelxNPointe means too! I used to do the same thing! I would hop onto pointe to do a piroqutte because i was scared that I would not be able to slide onto pointe! Quote Link to comment
NYCB2Be Posted April 10, 2004 Report Share Posted April 10, 2004 One of my teachers told me to think about doing a balance, not a turn. He said "you WILL turn,your body will do that on its own, you just need to think about pulling up on your standing leg and having your arms in the correct position." I tried that and it helped me greatly! Quote Link to comment
Guest *my toes skim the stage* Posted April 10, 2004 Report Share Posted April 10, 2004 This is going to seem odd, but it's an exercise that my teacher gave us that will help get you on your center because it lengthens your back and that sort. While standing up, clasp your hands to eachother behind your neck (clasp your fingers in the same position as if you're praying). If this doesn't make sense yet just ask and I'll try to explain another way. Then nod your head back and forth over and over for a little bit. Then let go and really be in tune with your back and alignment. You can really feel yourself being pulled forward on to your legs and your back lengthens! It really helps with balance. I do it all the time, especially before an audition or before I go onstage. Quote Link to comment
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