Expert: Jennifer - 9/18/2003

Question
Hi Jennifer,
I am a musician and for about 3 months I have been toying with the idea of writing a ballet along with an acquaintance who is a professional dancer and choreographer. Could you tell me a little on this history of ballet and tell me if there is any specific structure to a ballet such as sonata form or fugue in music. Also just out of interest could you tell how ballet is recorded through time. Is it written in the same way music is?
Thanks very much in advance.  

Answer
Hello, Jaime.

Congrats on your decision to take on sucha huge endeavor!

Let me tell you though, I am not an expert on music or notation, but i will tell you what I know about each subject.

Ballets roots are in the French court dances of the 15 and 16th century. Most people mark the beginning of what we now consider ballet during the reign of King Louis XIV in France because it was in his time that the first academy for dancing was formed, the first professional dancers emerged, and the 5 positions of the feet were codified.

In classical ballet, the story usually sticks to a II or III act structure, though even then the length was negotiable. I dont know any of the music theory behind the structure, specifically though. I suggest you listen and pay attention to some of the music of the classical ballets, and the very best of that period (which took place in the mid to late 1800s) are Tchaikovsky's 3 ballets, The Sleeping Beauty, The Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker. These very much took to the typical form and structure of classical ballet. Usually in a ballet of this form, you will find Grand Waltzes, Adagios, Pas de Deux, and character dances like Mazurkas and Polonaises.

However, comtemporary ballets are very free in form, and dont need to follow any specific order at all. Classical ballet usually last 2-3 hours, and contemporary ballets usually last 30-45 minutes.

The notation of ballet steps is very difficult and complex. There have been 2 basic systems of notation, the most popular being Labanotation, after the dance scholar Laban. It is extremely difficult to learn, and requires post-graduate degrees to master, usually. I really dont know how it actually works, as I have never studied it.

I hope I have been able to help you. First off, you need to figure out whether your choreographer is going to be doing a classical or contemporary ballet. If it is classical, perhaps you can write me back and i can try to explain Pas de Deux structure, and answer any other questions you might have.

Good luck!