The Easy Ballet Turns for Beginners: Tips and Techniques

Ballet is a captivating and disciplined art form that requires a combination of grace, strength, and control. One of the most fundamental aspects of ballet technique involves turning—a series of rotational steps that showcase a dancer's agility and balance. While there are many ballet turns, some are particularly easier for beginners to master and practice. This article will explore the easiest ballet turns, including the chassé turn, tendu turn, and chaines turn, along with essential tips and techniques to help you improve your skills.

What are the Easiest Ballet Turns?

Ballet turns can be categorized into a variety of categories, such as chassé turns, tendu turns, piqué turns, and fouetté turns. Among these, the chassé turn and tendu turn are often considered the easiest for beginners due to their relatively simple footwork and emphasis on balance and control.

The chassé turn, also known as chassé en tournant, is a compelling turn that combines a gliding step with a pivot. This turn is accessible for beginners because it involves moving and turning at the same time, making it a great starting point for developing rotational skills. Additionally, the tendu turn is another simple turn for beginners. In this step, one leg is extended out to the side (tendu) and pivots on the standing foot, making it a straightforward yet effective way to practice turns.

Expert Tips for Mastering Easy Ballet Turns

Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a beginner, mastering ballet turns requires practice, patience, and a few key techniques. Here are the insights of a ballet student who has extensively worked on these turns:

Chaine Turns: According to the ballet student, chaine turns are essentially the easiest for both flats and on pointe. To make this turn easier, focus on your spotting. Ensure that your head is turned to the corner on each rotation. Additionally, starting with your arms in a loose first position, then bringing them in tighter as you continue, will add more speed and precision to the turn.

Piqué Turns: After chaines, the student found that piqué turns are equally easy to master, both on pointe and in flats. A helpful tip for piqué turns is to step just beyond your standing reach. This ensures that you initiate the turn from the right point of support. Remember to maintain sharp and consistent spotting to keep your body aligned and avoid lags.

Comprehensive Steps: The en dehors turn in fourth position is another fundamental turn that is essential for both flats and on pointe work. To improve your balance during this turn, it is crucial to sink into the plié before starting the turn. However, avoid going too far into the plié to maintain stability. Another effective tip is to be forward in your preparation position, as many dancers tend to lean back when rising onto relevé (the pointe work).

Challenges and Advanced Turns

While easier turns serve as a foundation, some advanced turns can be challenging to master. The student mentions that certain fouetté variations, such as attitude turns and en dehors-en dedans turns, can be particularly difficult to learn. One advanced turn, known as the trifecta turn, combining different styles of turns at specific moments, can be quite intricate. This turn, set by the student's teacher, includes sections of double en dehors, multiple arm positions, and a plié between each part, resembling a chain of fouettes.

Mastering ballet turns is a journey that requires consistent practice and dedication. By focusing on the basic techniques outlined in this article, even beginners can improve their skills and feel more confident in performing these fundamental moves.

Conclusion

Although there are numerous ballet turns, the chassé turn, tendu turn, and chaines turn stand out as some of the easiest for beginners to practice. By following the expert tips and techniques outlined in this article, dancers can enhance their balance, control, and rotational skills, leading to better performances on the ballet stage.