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Gretchen Ward Warren
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Classical Ballet Technique Paperback – December 1, 1989

by Gretchen W. Warren (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 299 ratings
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"Classical Ballet Technique is an invaluable guide for students, teachers, and ballet lovers. It not only covers the broad spectrum of ballet vocabulary but also gives sound, practical advice to aspiring dancers. The clarity of the writing, in a field notorious for its opaqueness, is in itself a major achievement."--Merrill Ashley, Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet

"An excellent, comprehensive guide to ballet pedagogy valuable to teachers and students alike. For many years Gretchen's has been a major voice in the dance community, and this extensive work details the study of classical ballet from her unique and expert point of view. I applaud her, and I heartily recommend Classical Ballet Technique."--David Howard, International Ballet Master and Master Teacher

"Gretchen Warren has undertaken a monumental task and has completed it with distinction. Obviously a labor of love, this book's attention to detail and the clarity of its text and photos make it a valuable contribution to the lexicon of ballet. I recommend it to every serious student and teacher."--Thalia Mara, Founding Director, Ballet Repertory Company and National Academy of Ballet; Artistic Director, U.S.A. International Ballet Competition

"Congratulations to Ms. Warren for her authoritative book on classical ballet. Thanks are in order too from the many professional teachers, dancers, and students of the art form who will benefit from this book-an essential addition to any dance lover's library."--Lawrence Rhodes, Artistic Director, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens


Gretchen Ward Warren studied at London's Royal Ballet and the National Ballet School of Washington, D.C. She was soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet for eleven years and ballet mistress of American Ballet Theatre II from 1978 to 1983. She is professor of dance at the University of South Florida and frequently appears as a master teacher on the national and international circuits.

Susan Cook has photographed the performing arts for the past fifteen years. Her work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, the New York Times, and many dance books. Her own books of photographs include In a Rehearsal Room and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    395 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    University Press of Florida
  4. Publication date
    December 1, 1989
  5. Dimensions
    9.02 x 0.85 x 11.96 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0813009456
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0813009452
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An important addition to the reference libraries of teachers and students of ballet...for anyone with a serious interest." -- Library Journal

Simply unequalled nothing else is even close. -- balletbooks.com

About the Author

Gretchen Ward Warren is professor of dance at the University of South Florida and author of The ARt of Teaching Ballet (UPF, 1996). She was a soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet for eleven years and ballet mistress of American Ballet Theatre II for five.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University Press of Florida; Later Printing edition (December 1, 1989)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 395 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0813009456
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0813009452
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.77 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.02 x 0.85 x 11.96 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 299 ratings

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Gretchen Ward Warren

Gretchen Ward Warren

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
299 global ratings
Wonderful book for visual learning of ballet steps
5 Stars
Wonderful book for visual learning of ballet steps
Absolutely love this book due to its comprehensive description of ballet terminology and illustrations on its execution. This book was one of my textbooks in college and is still one for me as a dancer and teacher.
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Top reviews from the United States

Demark Manigo
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book for visual learning of ballet steps
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
Absolutely love this book due to its comprehensive description of ballet terminology and illustrations on its execution. This book was one of my textbooks in college and is still one for me as a dancer and teacher.
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Demark Manigo
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book for visual learning of ballet steps
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2021
Absolutely love this book due to its comprehensive description of ballet terminology and illustrations on its execution. This book was one of my textbooks in college and is still one for me as a dancer and teacher.
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Zulli
5.0 out of 5 stars A ballet teacher's essential
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2008
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I bought this book a few months ago and now I wish I'd done it years ago... This is a must-have if you are a dance teacher. It has detailed descriptions and step-by-step photo analysis of every single step in ballet vocabulary, from the simplest positions to the most elaborate allegro. What I really love is that it contains descriptions of the various ways in which students get the steps wrong and what the correct version should look like. It is also very organized, concise, short and to the point, so it is no problem to get the exact information you need. Not a book for amateurs, but a must for professionals.
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Donna
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book for the Adult Beginner............
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
As a very fit, female adult who was looking for a new way to stay active, I decided to try adult ballet classes and love them. As I wanted to better prepare for class, I looked for a book like this one. I particularly like the photos showing how NOT to do things...very helpful for a newbie. I also enjoyed the section on the Ideal Ballet body. I don't buy into the ludicrous PC notion that being overweight is ever good and this section makes it clear that to dance professionally you need to be LEAN. It also was nice to see that I fit into the ideal ( 5'8" and 116lbs...okay I am a pound over the cutoff of 115) and even though I obviously will never dance professionally, its just nice to know. A lovely book overall.
11 people found this helpful
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G. W.
5.0 out of 5 stars Ballet Requisite 🩰
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2020
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A must-have gem ✨ for every ballerina. Wonderful way to improve your technique. Clear photos, excellent instruction printed on large, high quality paper.
One person found this helpful
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Silly Sally
5.0 out of 5 stars great book for teachers to show to students
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2005
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When I moved to a small town, I was asked to teach ballet at a local studio. Because I had never been a profesional, I was a bit apprehensive, and a bought a couple books for help. Also my teaching methods,especially the placement of the pelvis, differed greatly from the studio director's view. This book, as well as the book, Inside Ballet Technique were wonderful guides to share with my students. Through pictures in this book, I could show my students how poor alignment, like a tucked under pelvis, can destroy your posture and can greatly hinder your development as a dancer. Without this book and its pictures, I don't know if my students would have ever believed
that a neutral, properly placed pelvis is the foundation for ballet. (They had been taught for years the grip/tucked pelvis method) If there are teachers or students out there that think tucking your pelvis under will help improve your posture or that gripping your butt is the end all answer to all technique problems, they need to read this book as well as read Inside Ballet Technique. These two books dispel many of the Ballet myths that are taught every day in classes.
22 people found this helpful
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GrassHopper
5.0 out of 5 stars Best reference for Ballet Technique
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
Got this Used and it looks like new. Have mine away years ago thinking neither of my kids would be interested In pursuing Ballet as a career but turns out my younger daughter loves Ballet.
It’s in great condition so I am thrilled.
Thank you.
3 people found this helpful
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BendyKittu
4.0 out of 5 stars This book weighs more than I do
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
More due to paper stock than content, but I digress.
I feel like this is an advanced book. If a beginner were to pick it up, they would give up quickly.
However, I’m finding it useful! The illustrations are not the clearest but with the text it’s no problem. I think a teacher or advance student would get the most out of it. I’m intermediate and I am still happy with my purchase. Much to learn and be remembered.
One star off for the weight. Not practical to have in a petite persons bag. lol
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Fiona
5.0 out of 5 stars great reference, a must for all ballet dancers
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book is just what every dancer needs. A wonderful reference. It includes hundreds of photos. Specific notes and descriptions of correct execution of positions, steps, moves. I especially love that there are photos of the incorrect way, too. Goes into detailed explanations of why different exercises are important. Detailed coverage of everything ballet :)
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Audrey
5.0 out of 5 stars Stands the test of time
Reviewed in Canada on February 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
I used a version of this book 30 years ago from the library to self teach. Very clear instructions and insightful directions. Happy I found it again.
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Marie Legendre
5.0 out of 5 stars Best reference for Ballet Technique
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
Stunning book which is a very thorough breakdown of ballet technique. It has detailed descriptions and step-by-step photo analysis of every single step in ballet vocabulary, from the simplest positions to the most elaborate combination. Aa great guide for intermediate/advanced students and teachers alike.
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Mario
5.0 out of 5 stars Una guía muy completa de la técnica del ballet clásico
Reviewed in Spain on March 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
100% recomendable, un libro muy completo y útil. Las fotos para ilustrar los pasos son geniales.
Más grande (y pesado!) de lo que imaginaba, pero no es problema, simplemente me sorprendió. Tardó bastante en llegar, eso sí. Quizá eso fue lo único no tan positivo a destacar de la compra.
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Styx
5.0 out of 5 stars Der Duden unter den Ballettbüchern
Reviewed in Germany on November 20, 2013
Verified Purchase
Sehr umfangreiches, und in Erklärung und Darstellung überragendes Nachschlagewerk. Durch die Verbindung von Fotoserien (überwiegend von Solistinnen und Solisten des ABT), den Erklärtexten darunter, und den Angaben zur genauen Zählweise der Schritte über den Bildern lassen einen in kürzester Zeit selbst Schrittfolgen oder Sprünge vollständig verstehen, die man noch nie im Unterricht behandelt hat. Ausgehend vom amerikanischen Balanchine-Ballett geht die Autorin bei signifikanten Unterschieden auch immer vergleichend auf die unterschiedlichen Schulen und Stile ein, darunter die russische, britische, französische, Cecchetti- und Bournonville-Schule. Gelegentlich wirkt die sehr klare Sprache, die bei der Erläuterung der Schritte sinnvoll und hilfreich ist, bei der Bewertung der körperlichen Eignung einer Tänzerin bzw. eines Tänzers reichlich kühl, und in dieser Form nicht mehr ganz zeitgemäß. Dennoch hat es, trotz seiner 1,8 kg Gewicht, einen festen Platz in meiner Tanztasche, und ich möchte es nicht missen. Auch im Hinblick darauf, dass hier tatsächlich auch alle gängigen Herrensprünge und Schritte aufgeführt sind, was ich als Mann bei anderen vergleichbaren Werken leider oft vermisse. Es ist das mit Abstand beste Nachschlagewerk zu diesem Thema, dass ich kenne, und diese Meinung teilen auch meine sehr erfahrenen Trainerinnen und Trainer. Ganz nebenbei ist es einfach auch ein herausragend schönes Buch.
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ミドリムシ
5.0 out of 5 stars 英語のバレエ専門書なんて、と思うでしょ？
Reviewed in Japan on June 20, 2010
Verified Purchase
本当にすごい本です。
専門書って雰囲気ではありません。

皆さんおっしゃるように、詳しくわかりやすい、
写真で見るバレエ用語の辞書です。
姿勢の取り方から、１〜５のポジションの基本、
アラベスクからなにから、最後のページはレビュランスまで
正しいのはこれだっという定義がわかります。

どの動きも、アメリカンバレエシアターのソリストを中心とする
モデルさん達による、完璧な動きの連続写真が主で、
短い英文で気をつけるべきポイントが解説されています。

センターレッスンの動きではリズムの音譜付きだったり
one'　and-'　ーーーーーー→　ah'　なんて掛け声付き？で写真が出ていて
あと、基本の動きだけではなく、この場合はこう、とか
いろんなバリエーションの動きが載っていて、
とにかく、バレエのすべての動きがわかります！

誤った例も写真がたくさん載っていて、
どこが間違っているか、なぜいけないか、書かれています。」
初心者から指導者まで、だれもが一冊、一家に一冊です。

英語がわかるかな？と正直不安でしたが、
バレエを多少でも習っている人なら、
大体雰囲気で理解できると思います。
逆にこれで、へえー英語ではこう言うんだ、って覚えちゃうかも、です。
（アンドゥオールはturn outなんですね）

ところどころにそのパの使われている例として
アメリカンバレエシアターの舞台の写真や
レッスン風景などがはさまっていて、いい味してます。

英語であることはマイナスポイントにはならないけど、
でも、これを日本語に完訳してくれる人がいたら、
もう星20個ですよ...誰かお願いします！！
5 people found this helpful
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