Customer Reviews

Ballet 201, Beyond the Basics - VHS

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This video contains the basic steps of ballet. It's easy to follow for beginners. Each step is thoroughly demonstrated and easy to learn, if you have former ballet experience you will probably find it boring. The tape goes through basic exercises at the barre and in the centre and ends with a little dance made of the steps you just learned. All the beats are counted; I think this makes it easier for the beginner to follow. The instructor is very pleasant and is easy to understand. (I'm not a native English speaker, so clear pronunciation is very important to me.)

I have 2 kids under 3 years of age, and I don't have the time or the money to learn ANYTHING new. I wanted to take a class, and get into shape, and this video offered me the opportunity to do both. I had been checking Ballet 101 out at the local library, and was thrilled to see that both 101 and 201 were available. They are GREAT! I didn't realize the steps were so simple, and I have even made up little recitals of my own using the steps from the videos and some of my classical CDs. The last time I took any dance class was when I was 9. I'm 40 now, and lovin' it!

The video does give someone with not much ballet experience a good demostration of steps, but it did not feel much like a class because the instructure counted all the beats, and I would have preferred real music. Also I would have liked more emphasise on longer combinations, and less emphasise on how to do the steps. If you have had a lot of ballet experience, this is not the video for you, but if you are still a beginner you should appreciate this video.

I'm a beginner, and this video was perfect. I have the 1st tape, Ballet 101, and I loved that, too. I am shy about attending a public class because of my weight, so I have been doing these moves at home. There are dance recital type videos out there, but I felt that they were way too advanced for me. This company seems to know the heart of the novice. They take you through each move, and then give you a little fun dance at the end. It's just perfect!

This isn't a bad tape if you are just getting started again (if you have some experience). But you can tell the tape has been edited by someone who hasn't had instruction (ie having to rewind to do both sides in some cases) and the accompaniment is the instructor counting!

I just couldn't find it in my nerves to take a "formal" ballet class. I rented this video series at the library, and used it so much I decided to buy it - mainly because when I went back, it was always checked out. I knew nothing about ballet, but now I feel comfortable enough to step into a beginning class, dressed properly and ready for some more personalized instruction. Truly, I don't mind the instructor counting because the music is something I never missed. I love the dances at the end, and recommend it for beginners.

I recently started taking ballet classes in my early twenties. I ordered "Ballet 101: A Beginners Class" as well as "Ballet 201" The first video was a great as far as walking you through the moves, but the second video uses new moves and for some of them it doesn't even explain how to do these moves. Also there is no music, most ballet classes have music and it is the music you use to count out your moves. Also, the instructor starts to tell you what you are doing so you are watching to get the counts and preparing to do the exercise but instead of doing the exercise she switches sides, so you have to stop rewind and try again. The editing is horrible and may be part of the problem. All in all I recommend the David Howard ballet series, it is more like an actual class and it is easier to dance along with.

I bought the 101 tape for my 10 year old to prepare her for her first ballet class. And as is suggested, I danced right along with her to supervise her moves. We enjoyed it so much that I bought the 201 tape. I think this series does exactly what it promises it will do, in a nice smooth and slow pace for beginners. The same instructor adds on to the basic moves that you learned in 101 and then teaches you an entertaining dance at the end. I thought it was very professionally done, as well as, a great preparation for my daughter. As a beginner, I would be wary of reviews from more experienced dancers. I have the Howard series, and found it to be way too advanced for me and my daughter.

I found these teaching video to be informative,and helpful to myself in teaching proper alighment to my students. I lend out these tapes to my students, and I have seen a differance in their
work. Now instead of pointing their foot strait,they have more turn out,and they lift there heel in their point. It backs up what I teach them.

Ms. Kim

This is perfect if you already had some backround and know the basics. The pace is good and harder steps are reppeated a lot. At the end you learn a dance using all the steps you learnd in the video. Also shows some of the nessicary streches to do before working at the bar and nbefore centerwork. Wish there was a 301!!!!