Ballet Dancing: Ballet Music, Ballet Dancer Shoes and Clothing

Those lithe and flexible bodies moved in sync with each other. They were style and elegance personified. The graceful movements told a story and it took me to a different world. Such is the beauty of ballet dancing.

Ballet dancing is a very beautiful form expressed by delicate but precise movements across the dance floor. This form requires one to lay emphasis on foot muscle movement. It also requires the perfect coordination of the body while dancing on the toes. The dancer has to be very particular about the poise of the body. The dancer conveys the story of the mime through the facial expressions and perfect body movements.

The 'turn out' in ballet is one such rule that can help to create many lines and forms in the choreography. This allows the dancer to enact many different poses. The turn out requires the dancer to stand with the legs rotated outwards. When the steps are performed with perfect body alignment, grace and emotions combined, this theatrical form of dance has the power of mesmerizing audiences and it also creates a new language of expression.

3 Basic Styles to Ballet Dancing

• Classical ballet
• Neoclassical ballet
• Contemporary ballet

Ballet Music

Some of the famous ballet composers like Adolphe Adam or Alexander Glazunov created musical masterpieces through their compositions. The musical symphonies required specialists in the field as it had to be connect with the theme being portrayed and it also needed to be in synchronization with the movements of the dancers. Earlier it was only the dance that gained all the importance, but today in any form of dance, music has a huge part to play.

Ballet Clothing

Ballet dance being known for its flexible movements requires specifically designed costumes that can give the dancer freedom of movement. The basics of the costume are a pair of tights and leotards. The fabric and the fit should make the dancer feel comfortable and it should have a stretch blend to fit the dancer snugly rather than making the body feel uncomfortable. The clothing is also another highlight of the ballet dance. No dance can ever be complete without the right music or appropriately designed costumes.

Ballet costumes also help to unravel the story of the performance along with the dancers performance. The characters are best expressed through the fabric, colors and design used for the costume. When the dancers are rehearsing, it is necessary that the costume should be more practical compared to the elaborate versions used on stage. Therefore the common dance clothing you may find in any ballet class is a pair of leotards, tights and slippers. Ballet slippers are also essential as it helps in giving the right feel to the dancer. Leotards are actually a one-piece body suit. These are either with or without sleeves. On the stage, the dancers can experiment with leggings, skirts and body suits.

Ballet Tutus

Ballet tutus are actually skirts with attached bodice and single or multiple layers of cloth. A tutu bodice is actually a piece of fabric attached to the waistline. It can even adorn the hips. There are different kinds of tutus available to suit the kind of ballet dance being performed. Here's a look at a few of them:

Romantic Tutu Skirt

This style of tutu emerged in the romantic period of ballet history. Marie Taglioni appeared in the first tutu in 1832. The romantic tutu is actually a made of 3-5 layers of soft tulle and it comes with a fitted bodice. It is also free-flowing to symbolize the romantic theme used in the dance.

Classical Tutu Skirt

Italian ballerina Virginia Zucci first wore the classical tutu skirt in the 1880s. It juts outwards from the hips to showcase the legs. Today, there are two versions being used in the ballet dance - The flat Pancake / Platter / Plate or Russian design and the other being the softer Powderpuff or Balanchine style.

Bell Tutu Skirt

This skirt comes with more layers and is actually a combination of the tutu skirts mentioned above. As the name suggests, the bell tutu is shaped like a bell and is made without hoops. Made of softer tulle, the ruffles are stitched onto it.

A search can actually reveal many styles of tutus available along with different names. The basic style often overlaps although one may find many versions today.

Ballet Shoes

Canvas ballet shoes are generally the most popular kinds being widely used in all the ballet classes. Ballet shoes are required to maintain a perfect balance when dancing on the toes. They are also known as pointed toe shoes. Leather ballet shoes though expensive than the former kind, are also very popular due to the longevity it offers and better grip on the floor. The perfect fit can help you master the moves on the dance floor.

When the ballet dancer rises on the tip of the toes during the performance, it is known as en pointe. Only done by females, the right pair of Pointe shoes goes a long way in performing the pointe work. The shoes are flat and sturdy to enable the dancer to maintain the poise. They also help in creating the illusion of weightlessness.

Famous Ballet Dancers

Margot Fonteyn
Anna Pavlova
Svetlana Lunkina
Beryl Grey
Julie Kent
Sascha Radetsky