Guest dance4life87 Posted November 17, 2002 Report Share Posted November 17, 2002 What kinds of things should I do outside of Ballet class each day to advance and keep getting better at ballet? I take about 3-4 hours of Ballet almost everyday except Satudays and Sundays, but besides being in class what kinds of things should I do? for example about how long should I stretch each day outside of class to really get me more flexible? maybe doing a few pilates exercises, sutff like that? or should I even do some barre exercises at home like plies tondues degages? And is it best to practice this kind of stuff in the morning or in the evening? thanks to whoever helps me out! Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted November 17, 2002 Report Share Posted November 17, 2002 You should READ! One of the most neglected areas of a typical dancer's field of knowledge about his/her art is in the realms of history, literature, dictionaries, kinesiologies, criticism and aesthetics of ballet. Hit your local library. Buy your own copy of Gail Grant's Technical Manual..., read books about the histories of companies, present and past, know about what ballets have been done, and something about their productions, read books of criticism. These things will serve you better than any home practice you are ever liable to do! Link to comment
Guest dance4life87 Posted November 17, 2002 Report Share Posted November 17, 2002 mel, i dont want to sound stupid but would you mind telling me what you are talking about? im really confused... Do you mean books that will give me knowledge about ballet? well of course thats what you mean what the heck am i talking about, well I dont see how books would help me better in ballet then stretching and doing home exercises... You are probably right, I'll go get some books about Ballet if you say it will help me out a lot ;) but if you wouldnt mind, do you know of any particular books that I should get by chance? Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted November 17, 2002 Administrators Report Share Posted November 17, 2002 This is an important topic, particularly in view of Mr. Johnson's excellent reply, therefore I felt it belonged on YD, not Buddy Board. Read everything you can get your hands on, dance4life When I was a teen I loved biographies of dancers, and there are some wonderful bios out there. Also besides the Gail Grant, I think every dancer should own the Gretchen Ward Warren book, Classical Ballet Technique. And there are some very fine, easy to read history books too, like one by Agnes De Mille, and one called Magic of Dance by Margot Fonteyn! Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted November 18, 2002 Administrators Report Share Posted November 18, 2002 Dancindaughter, I'm afraid I must ask you not to post on the YD 13-16 forum, since you are a parent! But, to answer your question, I do not know of any site with a list of ballet books. However, maybe there is one somewhere. I suggest you ask the question on the General Discussion board. Link to comment
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