How do you piruette?

Question

i have been doing ballet for 7 years (I'm 13) and i'm in grade 5. I don't know how to piruette as when i spin around i have to move my feet quickly (kurru) and it diesn't look right. i know how to head if that helps.

Answer 1

pirouette

peer•WHET

whirling

a generalized term used in ballet to describe a turn; in the Russian method they usually refer to turns as tours.

The pirouette, a spin around on one leg, is one of the most difficult of all dance steps. To do a pirouette, you must make a complete turn around yourself, while balancing on one leg. A pirouette may be performed en dehors (turning away from the supporting leg) or en dedans (turning toward the supporting leg). Pirouettes usually begin in fourth, fifth or second position. This is a pirouette from fourth position.

Stand in fourth position.

Both legs should be straight.

If your right foot is in front, make sure your left arm is facing the front, and vice versa.

Fix your eyes on a spot at eye level.

Bend both legs into a deep plie.

Concentrate on sinking both heels into the floor, so that you can push off into your pirouette.

Keep your eyes fixated as you prepare to start the turn.

Concentrate on holding your body in a tight position.

Spring up into retire position as you begin your turn.

Releve to demi-pointe, or full-pointe if you are wearing pointe shoes, bringing your back foot up to your front leg.

Hold your arms in first position.

Find your center of balance and hold it tightly.

Turn your body and legs together as a unit.

Hold your shoulders level.

Keep your eyes fixed as long as you can, then whip your head around and focus again.

Hold your body straight while you complete the turn.

Stay tight by holding in your abs.

Hold your foot exactly in place as you turn.

Keep both legs turned out throughout the pirouette.

As you spot, make sure your head completes the rotation before your body, as this will prevent dizziness and create momentum.

The finish of a pirouette is as important as the start. Gracefully finish the pirouette in fourth position.

If you got to http://dance.about.com/od/ballet/ss/Piro... then you will see pictures going along with these steps. Good Luck! Hope this helps!

Answer 2

it takes practice =] don't rush! =]

my first pirruette practices started by the bar. we would stand facing the bar (holding on the bar first) and we would stand the way we would be when we're doing a pirrouette. we then pushed from the bar and spun one round and grab the bar again and we turned one round. once we got use to that we practiced in the centre.

remember the head try and keep it in the same position and look at the same position as you spin. as you spin, your head can't stay in the same position forever, when you cross over your limit you quickly flick  your head back to the same position again to keep your balance.

im not very good as explaining about the head bit sorry... i hope it helps but practice practice. try standing on one leg for sometime to practice on balance

Answer 3

It is all about preparation. If you get the preparation right then you should get the momentum to be able to go round. Spot! If you keep your head your focused on one spot like with normal spins and then whip it round to the same spot again, this should make sure you don't go off balance.