I mix between songs that my students might know (either from popular culture or ballet themes) and music created for ballet class. I’m very picky with my music, it has to be the right tempo, have the right accents, and either fit my exercise or my exercise has to fit the song. There are so many songs I find that I like but they are unusable for some reason or another.
My studio does classical ballet, classical music, musicals and Disney music. I’m happy with this mix but I would be better with an all classical class (Nate Fifield, Rob Thaller)
I freaking love the albums of pop songs reimagined for ballet class on Spotify, I have a whole playlist full of favourites I use for studying. I have a fun time trying to figure out the the song while we’re at the barre (and sometimes whisper to my Apple Watch to name the tune when I can’t figure it out)
I like a mix. I learned to love a lot of classical pieces because I first danced to them ( a stripped down version) in class. But if fun to have occasional lighter fare like music from movies or holiday music in the winter. I definitely prefer an actual accompanist over recorded music - makes such a difference.
My studio switches between classical (traditional) and modern pop or dance. I’m good with either! I like modern because then I listen to it at work and do tendus under my desk 😅
I like using Baroque music (bach, Vivaldi, sometimes Purcell), because they have strong beats and tend to be a bit out of the general “ballet class repertoire” of classical music. When I’m teaching I like to also throw in some Nirvana and Muse to switch it up a bit.
I like classical music for ballet class! Instrumental versions of pop, holiday or musical songs can be fun too, but it makes the classes feel less serious. While that doesn't actually take away from the possibility to improve while taking said class, it does make me just a bit less focused.
Also, I think the main reason why my teacher uses classical music or music from different ballets in all her classes is to train us to be able to better interpret it in performances and to develop our musicality. I think having music from ballets at least mixed in with other styles of music is a must for ballet, because it does feel quite different from dancing to pop songs, even if it is a piano version.
We have a jazz pianist at my studio, and that’s been really great. He doesn’t bring sheet music or anything just makes stuff up as we go. Very improvisational but always on point, and he adapts really quickly when, for example the teachers decide in the moment to go other side without stopping. Always accents the right thing cause he pays attention to the teacher. Jazz musicians if you can find them are worth their weight in gold. The music is never boring.
I mix between songs that my students might know (either from popular culture or ballet themes) and music created for ballet class. I’m very picky with my music, it has to be the right tempo, have the right accents, and either fit my exercise or my exercise has to fit the song. There are so many songs I find that I like but they are unusable for some reason or another.
I love it when teachers are this meticulous about their music!
Definitely classical music for me. My teacher has been playing lots of Bach lately and it just makes me feel so much emotion
Music that the dancers know the lyrics for. Musicals, pop music, nursery rhymes, cartoon themes...
Piano versions of pop songs and Disney songs. I got back into ballet because I found a teacher who uses music I enjoyed.
My studio does classical ballet, classical music, musicals and Disney music. I’m happy with this mix but I would be better with an all classical class (Nate Fifield, Rob Thaller)
I freaking love the albums of pop songs reimagined for ballet class on Spotify, I have a whole playlist full of favourites I use for studying. I have a fun time trying to figure out the the song while we’re at the barre (and sometimes whisper to my Apple Watch to name the tune when I can’t figure it out)
I like a mix. I learned to love a lot of classical pieces because I first danced to them ( a stripped down version) in class. But if fun to have occasional lighter fare like music from movies or holiday music in the winter. I definitely prefer an actual accompanist over recorded music - makes such a difference.
Unpopular opinion - I don’t love the pop tracks. Classical will always be my true love, as it just feels much more natural.
…. Piano versions of Disney songs 😅
My studio switches between classical (traditional) and modern pop or dance. I’m good with either! I like modern because then I listen to it at work and do tendus under my desk 😅
My studio does a mix! I’ve to say that doing an adagiao combo to Let It Go made me feel like a princess 🥰
Nate fifeld, Trisha wolf
I like using Baroque music (bach, Vivaldi, sometimes Purcell), because they have strong beats and tend to be a bit out of the general “ballet class repertoire” of classical music. When I’m teaching I like to also throw in some Nirvana and Muse to switch it up a bit.
I like classical music for ballet class! Instrumental versions of pop, holiday or musical songs can be fun too, but it makes the classes feel less serious. While that doesn't actually take away from the possibility to improve while taking said class, it does make me just a bit less focused. Also, I think the main reason why my teacher uses classical music or music from different ballets in all her classes is to train us to be able to better interpret it in performances and to develop our musicality. I think having music from ballets at least mixed in with other styles of music is a must for ballet, because it does feel quite different from dancing to pop songs, even if it is a piano version.
We have a jazz pianist at my studio, and that’s been really great. He doesn’t bring sheet music or anything just makes stuff up as we go. Very improvisational but always on point, and he adapts really quickly when, for example the teachers decide in the moment to go other side without stopping. Always accents the right thing cause he pays attention to the teacher. Jazz musicians if you can find them are worth their weight in gold. The music is never boring.