*Turning* hops en pointe

[ami1436]

Last night we were working on hops en pointe, which I love and usually find really easy. One of the exercises we did had four hops turning (attitude derriere), then changing feet to attitude devant and four more hops turning.

 

I can do the turn nicely and at a decent speed (like Kitri's variation), but these were fast, and we were doing several turns in a row ( four sets of the full two turns, so 8 turns in theory). Ideally, each four hops we did one turn, but at the speed I could only manage about 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn while maintaining line and control. I asked for tips to get the full turn in and was told to 'turn faster'! Think I'd probably lose control if I just tried to do that... any suggestions?

[jane s]

Oh no, you didn't go back to "scary teacher", did you?

 

(Sounds like a "correction" she'd give...)

 

Jane

[Jaana Heino]

Think I'd probably lose control if I just tried to do that

 

This might sound really stupid, but you say you "think" you would lose control "if" you tried that... so did you try? Even though it is counter-intuitive, I find that sometimes just adding vigor and speed to something you basically can do but can't do well enough helps. (Most of the time, it doesn't, though...)

 

Not that I have any experience about hops on pointe, myself. I've only progressed to basic changement in that direction. Maybe the teachers can give you some actual technical advice.

[Mel Johnson]

We're not talking about a lot of turn here. Just one-quarter turn on each hop. You should be able to maintain control and do that much turning. Just a little more turn on each hop should do it.

[ami1436]

I can do them at a slower speed - four hops in one turn. I guess it's not the turning exactly that's the problem, but the turning at a faster speed - I did try it faster and felt that I was 'spinning' on my shoe as opposed to hopping and landing... the spinning made me feel out of control and led to me coming off pointe. Would that indicate that I need to hop upwards a bit more?

 

The music was really fast - I've never seen hops done that fast, either on or off stage. Then again, this teacher does everything fast!

[Mel Johnson]

The Kitris I've danced with who chose a more up-tempo variation in the pas de deux usually threw themselves right into the turn with a lot of gusto! One even liked to do them in a slightly renversé attitude.

[ami1436]

The Kitris I've danced with who chose a more up-tempo variation in the pas de deux usually threw themselves right into the turn with a lot of gusto! 

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Actually, I think you probably just got it Mr. Johnson! Think I'm probably starting the turn with hesitancy and then trying to catch up... hmmm will try again tomorrow and see!

 

Hmmm! (mental dancer wheels spinning....)

[ami1436]

Just a Thank You for Mr. Johnson - totally worked in getting around, although I found the attitude devant (turning en dehor) a bit more hit and miss, but so much better already in just a week. Thanks!

[Mel Johnson]

It's what we're here for!