The Classic Three...
~The three classic dance styles are ballet, tap, and jazz. For those unfamiliar with these three forms of dance, feel free to check out each method of dance. Basic information and history of each dance technique will be shown below.
♥History: Ballet started in the early 17th Century, during the Renaissance times. In 1661, Louis XIV established the Acadmie Royale de Danse (The Royal Academy of Dance.) The first ballet was staged in 1581, in a French Court. The performance was known as Le Ballet Comique de la Reine, meaning "The Comic Ballet of the Queen."
♥Ballet Basics: Ballet is one of the most common styles of dance people take. It is a form of dance that can help with more than just ballet steps. Those who take Ballroom dancing, require Ballet for poise, balance, and elegance. Ballet also helps with good posture. Most dance students start with the simplest and most basic step, the Plié. Plié means bent or bending of the knee or knees. For more elaboration on the Plié and other dance steps, feel free to check out our dance terms page.
♥Students dance Ballet with Ballet shoes or slippers.
<Most dancers start off with these kind first. Once Ballet students reach 12 years old (depending on their performance and muscle strength), they dance in what is known as Pointe Shoes.
<Pointe shoes are the classic graceful shoes that you would see in ballet photos and even media. Though they are magnificent and beautiful, they are extremely hard to dance in, beacause you are required to dance on the tips of your toes. In order for you to keep your feet safe from blisters, you must wear toe pads for your pointes, like the ones shown. >
For that "perfect arch" every dancer dreams of having, you must also break in your new pointe shoes. Do some exercises on the bar. Go up on your pointes seperately, and bend your foot to come down. For more ways to break in your pointes, click here.
♥History: Long before there were tap shoes, people wore what is known as clogs. The first practicer of Tap was a man known as William Henry Lane, or "Juba." Tap dancing originated from Juba, a type of dance practiced by African slaves. It was ecorporated with Irish dancing and Jazz dance. Tap dancing became a hit during the 20th Century, stealing the hearts of Americans. To this day, tap dancing is a national dance style.
♥Tap Basics: Tap is another form of dance early students take. A tap shoe sort of looks like a high heeled shoe, but comfortable and easy enough to learn to dance in.>
The most basic tap step is a shuffle. A shuffle step is brushing a foot forward, "so the ball of your foot brushes the ground." For more information of Tap steps check out our dance terms page. Most students start off with the classic black tap shoes, but others, as they progress, dance in tan tap shoes. There really is no difference, just the color and the fact that older dance students tend to get them.
♥History: Jazz dance relates to many different styles of dance, including Ballet and Tap. This trend developed in the late 1800's, but did not catch on until the mid 1900's. The "Jazz Age" was popular for its forms of dance like the Cakewalk, the Charleston, the Jitterbug, the Block Bottom, and the Boogie Woogie and the Lindy Hop. Numerous people, including Katherine Dunham and Jack Cole, began the Jazz dance techniques.
♥Jazz Basics: Most dancers where black jazz shoes.
<However, som dancers, for more elegance and beauty, where the tan jazz shoe.
<It is slightly more different from the black ones. As you can see, the tan jazz shoes have no laces, while these particular black ones do. Like the tap shoes, there isn't much of a difference. One of the favorites in Jazz dance is the layout. One of your legs is extended and your back is arched with your hands in the direction of your back. It is a rather complicated move, but with practice it can be done! For more dance moves like this, check out our dance terms page.
For even more dance syles and information, click here to see an extended website all about dance!
