Table Of ContentThe Book
Do you love to move to the rhythm of the music? Sometimes
you move fast and wild, and other times gently and
weightlessly – but always with lots of feeling! You can be a
frightened little mouse, a rascally kitten, or a tiny fairy. You
practice with your friends at dance class. You have learned
many dance moves and the proper expression. You prepare
for your big recital with much joy and diligence. “Learning
Ballet” will accompany you as you practice. Here you can
review essential positions and movements at your leisure.
We give you important tips for the execution of the dance
moves, point out possible mistakes and show you exercises
that can also be done at home.
The little butterfly, Gracie, will accompany you throughout
the book. He moves beautifully and knows a lot about
dancing. He will give you advice on clothing, music and
healthy living. In addition, this book offers lots of
opportunities to fill in your dance progress in worksheets, to
color and complete puzzles. Have fun!
“Learning Ballet” is the perfect gift for family members and
everybody who would like to put a smile on a child’s face.
The Authors
Katrin Barth is a certified teacher with many years of
professional experience and publisher of the children’s
sports series “Learning … Training …”.
Sigrid Roemer is a certified dance instructor and director
of the dance department at the Johann Sebastian Bach
Music School in Leipzig, Germany. She has successfully
taught preschool and elementary school children for
many years.
ISBN 978-1-84126-224-6
$ 14.95 US/£ 9.95/$ 19.95 CDN
www.m-m-sports.com
Learning Ballet1 13.06.2007 11:44 Uhr Seite 1
Learning Ballet
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This book was given to me by:
You can
put a photo
of yourself here.
My name:
My birthday:
My address:
Learning Ballet1 13.06.2007 11:44 Uhr Seite 3
Learning
Ballet
Katrin Barth & Sigrid Roemer
Sports Science Consultant: Dr. Berndt Barth
Meyer & Meyer Sport
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Original Title: Ich lerne Ballett & Tanz
© Aachen: Meyer & Meyer, 2006
Translated by Petra Haynes
AAA Translation, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
www.AAATranslation.com
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Learning Ballet
Katrin Barth /Sigrid Roemer
Oxford: Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd., 2007
ISBN 978-1-84126-224-6
All rights reserved, especially the right to copy and distribute,
including the translation rights. No part of this work may be reproduced—
including by photocopy, microfilm or any other means—
processed, stored electronically, copied or distributed in any form whatsoever
without the written permission of the publisher.
© 2008 by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd.
Aachen, Adelaide, Auckland, Budapest, Graz, Indianapolis, Johannesburg,
New York, Olten (CH), Oxford, Singapore, Toronto
Member of the World
Sports Publishers' Association (WSPA)
www.w-s-p-a.org
Printed and bound by: B.O.S.S Druck und Medien GmbH, Germany
ISBN 978-1-84126-224-6
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.m-m-sports.com
Learning Ballet1 13.06.2007 11:45 Uhr Seite 5
. . . . . ...TABLE O F C O NTENTS
1 Dear Dancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Tips from the authors
2 People Have Always Wanted to Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
The history and evolution of dance, why people dance,
national dances, new dances, classical ballet, modern dance
3 Hi there, Beate! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
A conversation with a successful dancer
4 No Pain, No Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
The right attitude about dance, goals, motivation,
physical fitness is important, exercises
5 What You Need for Dancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
The clothes, the shoes, the hair, the dance studio,
the music, a checklist
6 The Body and Its Movements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Body language, what you can do with your body,
moving to music
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7 The Principles of Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Erect posture, leg extension, flexing and pointing of toes,
leg positions (parallel position, 1st position, 2nd position),
turnout position of the legs, bending the knees, standing on
the balls of your feet, bending forward in a sitting position
with your legs extended, bending forward from a standing
position, supporting leg and free leg, dragging the foot,
jumping, as well as many exercises to try out and illustrated mistakes.
8 Dancing Together is Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Proper instruction, rules at the dance studio, performing
9 Fit and Healthy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Good nutrition, eating, drinking, warming up, healthy lifestyle
10 Little Dictionary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
A few French and English dance terms
11 Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Solutions and answers to brainteasers and illustrated mistakes
12 Let’s Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Dear Parents, Dear Dance Instructor, some tips from
the authors, how we can support our little dancers,
how to use this book
Photo & Illustration Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Please note:
The exercises and practical suggestions in this book have been carefully
chosen and reviewed by the authors. However, the authors are not liable
for accidents or damages of any kind incurred in connection with the
content of this book.
6
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LLeeaarrnniinngg BBaalllleett
HI THERE, YOU NEW LITTLE DANCER!
I AM GRACIE, THE LITTLE BUTTERFLY,
AND I KNOW ALL ABOUT DANCING.
IN THIS BOOK YOU WILL LEARN
ALL KINDS OF THINGS ABOUT DANCING,
AND I WILL BE RIGHT THERE WITH YOU.
I THINK WE’LL HAVE LOTS OF FUN TOGETHER!
7
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LLeeaarrnniinngg BBaalllleett
I L O V E TO GLIDE
THROUGH TH E A I R …
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L
U
O F
R I
T UT
WIRL B E A
IN T O
A CIRC L E
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LLeeaarrnniinngg BBaalllleett
…
H
G
I
H
D
N
… I J UMP FAR A
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C
A
N
A
L
S
O
L
O
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KREALLY SAD… …A N D REALLY HAP P Y !
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