Jazz Dance??

Question

So for a while I have been wanting to get into dance classes sometime, and this opportunity came up to do either Ballet, Hip-hop, Jazz, or Musical Theatre (focusing on performance). I chose to do the latter two, and being 16 year old complete beginner to this sort of thing I have a few questions.

What sort of jazz shoes do I get? Is it a good idea to buy them online? I have no idea, but 'black jazz dance shoes' are required. Are there any specific types or brands that are better than others? And the same goes for the bodysuit and tights, what to get?

Anything else you can tell me about Jazz dance would be very much appreciated as well. Thanks!

Answer 1

jazz shoes are better to buy at a store. you can either get old fashioned ones with laces or normal slip on ones

Answer 2

It isn't a good idea to buy them online, especially since you're a beginner. You need to try shoes on before buying them. Fine out about dance stores near your area and someone there will help you get the right kind. I like Capezio, but it's different for every body. You might not need tights for jazz, but if you do, just pink reversable (holes at the bottom of the foot) are good for almost everyone. As for leotards, you just need to try a bunch on and see which one fits you best and is the most comfortable. I would also recommend getting tight, stretchy pants or shorts to wear during class. I hope I helped, have fun during class.

Answer 3

Don't buy shoes online.  Every brand has a different fit, and it's not likely you'll wear the same size you do in street shoes.  In my long past youth, I wore a 6 street shoe and a 3 1/2 ballet or toe shoe.  You can, however see what they look like online.  Maybe you could wait until the first class and see what the rest of the class wears.  The kind I wore looked like little mary janes, and were called jazzettes.  Today I see girls and boys wearing an oxford type of shoe.  The leather is very supple and flexible.  My sister still performs (she's 54! and just closed in My Fair Lady on Sunday, playing Mrs Pierce the professor's housekeeper) and choreographs shows at high schools, for the professional companies in town and for show choirs.  The kind she wears has a split sole.  There's sole under the ball of the foot, and sole under the heel, but not between them.  Very flexible.  Take a look at the Capezio website, or just type in dancewear.

As for leotards, get real leotards and tights for dancing.  Don't get bodysuits with snaps on the bottom.  Especially don't get the kind of tights that have a big crotch and the tops of the legs are darker than the rest of the leg.  You can buy cheap ones, even go to Good Will or a second hand store if you like, but make sure they're the kind meant for dancing.

Answer 4

old fashioned ones are cool=)

you can get slip on ones too

Answer 5

Its best to contact the school and find out what they mean. do they require split sole or full sole? are they talking about the traditional jazz "boot" or the newer sneaker?

Its most likely that they are talking about a pair of black, split sole, traditional jazz shoes. My Jazz Shoes, by Bloch, are pretty true to size. I am roughly a size 8 street shoe, and an 8 1/2 jazz shoe with Bloch. I prefer lace up jazz shoes, but you can get pull on ones too. This is probably the shoe you will need. If you can get laceup ones though I think they look cuter.

http://www.discountdance.com/frame_set.p...

As for tights, I don't know if you will be needing shiny, or "shimmer" tights, or normal coloured ones. You should probably get skin tone, but again contact the school about what brand they like, what colour, and what style (shimmer etc.)

I don't know if you are reffering to a body suit as a leotard or as a body stocking (an undergarment for costumes). If you are reffering to a leotard, don't buy one until you find out what colour, size and style you need. Contact the school to find out!

Answer 6

Your Best Option To Buy Would Be To Go To A Store.

That Way You Can Try Them On As The Sizing Is Different to casual street shoes.

You Can Get Ones With Laces Or Slip On Ones, But It Helps If The Grip On The Bottom Is Divided.

I Find It Very Hard To Point With just 1 grip on the Bottom which stretches across the hole foot.

I Have many pairs of tights and a bodysuit, and the same for them too, go to a store.

Hope This Helps.  =]