Lyrical and ballet are both extremely common yet incredibly different types of dance. They both differ from each other for numerous reasons. Although, both dances are different in style, music, technique, and uniform, they still have similarites in movement. Ballet is a complex mixture of technique. It requires a lot of concentration. Ballet can be practiced by both male and female. It takes five steps and many years to become an excellent ballerina. But, once females develop strong ankles they may get pointed shoe.
Pointed shoes are a satin shoe that is hardened by layers and layers of glue for the purpose of standing on the tip of them. Ballet is all about technique. Posture, keeping your ribs inside and presenting yourself is part of ballet. Ballet is very hard and sometimes painful. It requires concentration and focus. Ballet is about stretching your arms and legs to make your body look long and lean. Most ballet dancers are in “tip top shape”, not an inch of fat on their body. The reason of this is because ballet requires a lot of tight movement and lifting.
Although lyrical is a style that blends ballet and jazz it is still very different. Generally lyrical dance is smoother and a bit faster than ballet, but not quite as fast as jazz. Lyrical dance does not follow most the challenging techniques as ballet. Which means, lyrical is not quite as demanding as ballet; techniques are not important. With techniques not being as important as in ballet, sometimes lyrical is called the “lazy mans ballet,” because of all the free flowing moves and careless movement of the feet.
Lyrical dancers body movement flow with the music. Unlike ballet, lyrical dance is far less concerned with a dancer’s physique. Often excellent jazz and ballet dancers are drawn to lyrical style because they lack the dancer’s body build. It is quite common to see lyrical dancers who are not extremely thin. However, lyrical dance demands a high degree of flexibility, so dancers with a nontraditional build still need s to be in excellent physical shape to perform a lyrical dance. Lyrical dancers usually perform to music with lyrics.
The lyrics of the chosen song serve as inspiration for movements and expression. Music used for lyrical is typically emotionally charged and expressive. The music may consist of many genres including pop, rock, and hip hop. Powerful, expressive songs are often used in lyrical dance to express a range of strong emotions through their dance. Along with music, wardrobe is different form ballet. The wardrobe in lyrical does not matter, as long as the dancer can move and jump easily. Some dance may dance bare feet or any choice of dance shoes.
Lyrical and ballet may not be compared, but they are similar in many ways. In both lyrical and ballet, flowing arm movements and fingers are common to these forms of dance. While dancing both dances, it is important to use your arms enough to tell the audience a story. For example, when the dancer sways their arms back and forth and moves them gently all around, it tell the audience that they are cheerful and pleased. But if the dancer moves their arms around in a fury and has emotional facial expressions, this may show the audience anger or hurt.
It is quite simple to tell what part a dance is acting out or what he or she feels. Lyricists and ballerinas have a good perception on how to use superior facial expressions to allow audience to become more aware of what is happening in the story line. Anther fine example of how ballet and lyrical are alike is both forms going across the floor to practice certain combinations. Although the combinations are different, going across the floor is a great way to work on technique and condition for the class. It is also similar both lyricists and ballerinas to become one with the music.
