Ballet Books

This handbook would be the best book for beginners to have. It is about 1/4 the size of a normal book, so it is compact and easy to carry around. Beginners will benefit from having this to remind themselves of the technique that they are learning in class. This book includes many pictures for the  reader to use as a guide as to how to perform the movement step by step.

These two ballet basics books are commonly used by ballet teachers as the class textbook. Studios that test their students may also use information from these books on written exams. These books are also helpful because they give the reader an overall knowledge of the movement, as well as the history behind the movemement.

This book is a ballet dictionary. How this works is: each word is a step or a variation of that step and this dictionary defines the French term as well as explains how the movement is performed. This would be a great handbook to have for dancers of all levels. This book would also accompany the other books because it helps define the movement in a more simple way.

Beginner ballet videos

There are very many resources on the internet to help beginning dancers to improve their technique outside of the studio. A simple way to do this is to watch videos from the web. This can benefit the dancer because he will get exposed to more vocabulary as well as be introduced to new movement. Learning the combinations at home will give the dancer a headstart for his studio classes.

Ballet Attire

Proper ballet attire can be defined as a leotard, tights, and ballet shoes. Most ballet companies will require students to dress in a black leotard, pink or flesh tights, and pink ballet shoes. Black tights and leggings are less desirable for learning students. Wearing pink or flesh tights helps the instructor see the lines of the leg and make corrections more easily. Black leotards and pink ballet shoes are the standard colors.

Open adult classes or community college dance classes are less strict about their dress attire. These instructors understand that it may be difficult for adults to comfortably dress in leotards and tights. Instead they have the options of wearing black tights, leggings, or fitted yoga pants. They may also wear fitted athletic tops or fitted t-shirts instead of a leotard. Before starting any ballet classes, always ask about the dress code.

The proper ballet attire for men is white tshirt, black tights, white socks, and white ballet shoes. This is standard clothing in all ballet studios. Men's attire is constant compared to ladies' attire. As with the open adult studios, men will wear athletic shorts and shirts rather than tights. Most studios have a strict rule concerning ballet shoes for both male and female dancers. If anything, shoes are always required.

Ballet Shoes

There are different types of ballet shoes. When most people think of ballet shoes, they will think of pointe shoes. Pointe shoes have a hard block inside the shoe that will support the dancer and help her stand on her toes.

 There are soft shoes which are made of canvas and leather. These shoes are used for technique classes. Students from all levels own these types of ballet shoes. Canvas and leather ballet shoes are used to work the small metatarsals in the foot as well as to build up the ankle strength needed for pointework. These shoes provide no support for the dancer to go on pointe.

Dancers that are interested in pointework should attend ballet classes regularly for about 3-4 years. The time it takes before a dancer is ready for pointe differs for each individual. There are certain requirements that dancers must reach such as maintaining a high releve and maintaining turnout in all movements. Dancers should inquire about pointework from their studio and their teacher. A dancer must get approval from her teacher before starting pointework.