 the male dancer
written by Bobby - San Francisco           on 16.11. at 01:35:09 - as answer to: Grand Jete's by Musicnabber>I'm wonder if you could give me some advise on how to achieving the split in my grand jetes. For some reason my back leg always bends no matter what I do, even tho I'm able to get my front leg up. I'm not worried about height at this point. I just want to get it right.>Second point: I've only been doing ballet for a year now - adult class, and my teachers are pretty good, but don't cater to men at all. Do you know of any resources that will help me achieve a good male technique?>Thanks,>MusicnabberFirst of all, being as new as you are to ballet, BE CAREFUL during the grand allegro part of class -- that's when most people get hurt. Visualize the energy in your legs extending as far backward and forward as possible. Think of length. Grand jete is more of a forward movement, not an up movement. The grand jete will get higher the longer you train and the more "air time" you get. For now, think of length and forward momentum. Now, as far as men's technique; it's a little difficult to focus on the manner in which men dance as opposed to women when you've been dancing for such a short time. For now, until your overall technique is better, think of being heavier and more "into the floor". Ladies generally dance a little lighter than men do. It's difficult to have that "heavy" quality to our dance when we try so hard to jump high in the air. Don't ever lose contact with the floor. Even when you jump. Push DOWN into the floor to go up higher. Hold your head high and take command of the floor. Don't be afraid of appearing totally egotistical. Don't mistake gracefulness for daintiness. So think butch, macho, toughguy, etc. -- all those horrible stereotypes that kind gentle people shy away from are just the thing you need when you're standing there in tights and a t-shirt trying to be graceful. The combination of the macho attitude and the gracefulness is a good start. I hope that makes sense. Good luck! Answers to this message: 
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