Contemporary Dancing vs. Ballet Dancing

In this post I will blog about the differences between contemporary dance and ballet dance. I will also blog about the similarities too. People often get these two types of dancing confused. They think that if someone is dancing to slow music doing slow movement, that it is automatically ballet. This assumption is incorrect.

Contemporary dancer found at:
http://kristianverdida.blogspot.com/

"Contemporary dancing refers to forms of dance that are derived from more modern techniques, rather than traditional styles of dance, and is not necessarily an entirely different kind of dancing." Contemporary is a very popular type of dance now. Whenever I go to competitions now and I perform my solo dance, there are always mostly contemporary solos. This type of dance is a really nice way to let yourself go while you dance. Contemporary can make you feel free whenever you do it. In contemporary loose clothing is often worn. 

Ballet dancer found at:
http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/akqa-goes-to-the-ballet_b2758

Ballet is defined as a classic type of dance that was formed around the time of the Renaissance. Ballet is rarely performed at competitions today, but it still is a popular type of dance. Tutus are often worn for this type of dance.

Ballet dancing and contemporary dancing do have many different similarities. One similarity they have is the type of music that is used for the dances. "They both use slow music. The difference in their music is that when someone does a contemporary dance it has many different types of music that can be used. You could use rock, r&b, some techno, and many more. While with ballet most people use classical music from a orchestra when they perform." 


Another similarity between contemporary and ballet is that they both have slow movement. Although they both have slow movement, there is a big difference from the movements used in contemporary and ballet dancing. Sometimes contemporary isn't slow. There are some contemporary dances that are very fast and upbeat. In contemporary dancing there is more variety in the moves. While in ballet there are very soft, and delicate moves. Plus in ballet your posture is way more important than it is in contemporary dancing. 

History of Ballet

In my second blog post you will learn what ballet is and its history. Alexander Pushkin says that "Ballet is a dance executed by the human soul". This quote is a perfect explanation of what ballet truly is. It shows that ballet is not just a list of movements put together, it is a dance that is used to express yourself in a way of moving your body. Even though I’m not a big fan of ballet I've chosen ballet because I believe it is one of the most important types of dance. A lot of other types of dances originate from ballet. If ballet never happened then the world of dance would be way different from what it is today. 

Ballet started out in Italy during the Renaissance in the 1500s. In Italy instead of saying ballet they called it ballet de cour (court ballet). There would be ballet dances performed on a court for entertainment for everyone to see. The dancers would wear fancy, decorated masks. They also wore layered clothing, which was difficult to move in.

Eventually, ballet dancing began to spread to France and soon all over the world.The first professional ballet school was in 1661, and it was created by Louis XIV. Only men were allowed to dance in the studio, they had to wear masks and play women roles. In 1681, women were allowed to be professional ballet dancers. The first ballet performed by women is called Le Triomphe de l'Amour, in English it’s The Triumph of Love.During the second half of the 18th century males dominated ballet dancing.

Over the years ballet dancing has made a drastic turn. Today there are many women ballet dancers and anyone is allowed to join a studio.There has been more types of ballet. Now there are many other ballets like contemporary, romantic, neoclassical,classical, and many more. Dancers are not required to wear fancy, masked, jeweled costumes to perform anymore. You can wear whatever you want to, but the usual outfit of choice for ballet would be a tutu.

  Renaissance:http://www.cockaigne.org.uk/research/images/balletdecour1660small.jpg

Today's Ballerina:http://www.trespassmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ballet_cuba_500.jpg