The 8 Best classical Ballet books (2023 reviews)

This book gives great definitions to ballet terms as well as material to support basic theories. It is ideal for beginners in classical ballet to help learn better the glossary in ballet technique. It's small enough to slip inside your dance bag, so you can take it with you to class. It is a plus that the book tells about french, russian and italian ballet styles.

This is a great book for learning ballet terms and shows illustrations as well. It's a plus that the book tells about french, russian and italian ballet styles. This book is also extremely clear, concise, and above all, very helpful for people who want to understand ballet terminology. This book is really recommended if you are just starting out dancing, and need help with the basic dance terms.

Why We Like This:

Very good book for beginner dancers
Excellent resource for a more experienced ballet dancer or ballet teacher
Easy to look up vocabulary and easy to understand

Best For reviewing The basics: Agrippina Vaganova classical Ballet Book

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate book. The agrippina vaganova classical ballet book is exactly that - it's a simple book that hits all the right notes. This classic is ALWAYS included in any serious ballet library. It has great ballet history and techniques. It is a way to learn about ballet. As a ballet student this is definitely a good book about basic principles of ballet. It is a full and interesting aproach to ballet. It is very informative, specially for students of dance, as well as instructors.

This book describes all details of ballet movement with great clearness. It's a great book emphising on Russian Technique and basic steps.

Why We Like This:

A must for any ballet fan
A necessary companion for anyone studying the vaganova method of ballet
An intriguing journey into the philosophy and methodology of a ballet icon
Giving good insight into the russian classical ballet school

Best For learning vocabulary: Gretchen W Warren classical Ballet Book

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Compared with other book in this category, the gretchen w warren classical ballet book has a convenient design. If you are looking for a book who can explain that hard lessons on ballet, this is the perfect book for you. It includes former and current professional dancers, choreographers, artistic directors, and costumers, and they all think this is a terrific book. It also has a wonderful section for teachers, which give you tips and a teaching guide that gives you insight on the order of what you should teach at specific levels.

As an adult beginner it is extremely helpful when you see a step demonstrated in class and didn't quite catch it, to just go to this book and watch the very comprehensive pictures and try it out. It gives you an in depth look at all of the steps, positions and other things needed to perfect a dancer's technique.

Why We Like This:

Recommended for all ballet teachers, but for students as well
A comprehensive stalwart of ballet technique
Wonderful book for the adult beginner
The best job ever of getting ballet technique between a book's cover

Best For Ballet teachers: Kostrovitskaya classical Ballet Book

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Kostrovitskaya is known for creating pragmatic and minimalist book for people on the go, and its line of kostrovitskaya classical ballet book definitely falls in line with that reputation. This is a classic ballet text for those practicing ballet. It is incredibly useful for a new ballet teacher. It is a great book if you want to teach vaganova technique, of course it is helpful if one is already trained in the technique. It is more for the teacher of ballet than a step by step guide to ballet for the user.

The book details eight years of lesson plans each building on one another and can either be used to develop one's own syllabus or as a wealth of ideas from which to create lesson plans. It is good in its progressive steps format. It is very simple to apply any other method to these exercises. It has also been a good structure to use as a source of inspiration and creativity.

Why We Like This:

Beautiful classical technical lessons for ballet class
Great book full of lessons for any aspiring ballerina or ballet teacher
Wonderful ballet program, very clear, very understandable book
Full of actual classes by level with exercises outlined against musical measure and counts

Best For Cecchetti method study: Cyril W Beaumont classical Ballet Book

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Known formidably as "The Manual", this book is the method of ballet of maestro Enrico Cecchetti. It offers dancers, teachers, and ballet lovers information often difficult to locate in other books. It's a good book for Cecchetti method study. It is as specific in detail as both the Kirov and Bolshoi 'lessons in classical ballet' manuals. It comes with a reasonable number of cues to aid instruction & learning.

There are books on Allegro as the Manual mostly contains Adage and Pirouettes. It is basically a translation of the Manual as well as containing notes on the syllabus from Intermediate through to Diploma. This book is really a book about barre and adagio exercises.

Why We Like This:

Discusses all basic principles of ballet, grouping movements by fundamental types
One of the new comers and featured product

Best For beginner: Lincoln Kirstein classical Ballet Book

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Lincoln Kirstein offers a variety of book for personal choice and yet maintaining quality in all the variants. Ballet is one form of dance that can be mathematically systemaitized and characterized, and this book is a great reference for such an undertaking. This beautiful classic, repackaged by Alfred A. Knopf, will remain a treasured addition to the library of any lover of the ballet.

This book describes in detail how to preform barre exercises, allegros, turns, pointe work, etc. The picture diagrams break down each movement so that its easy to understand. It makes everything about the movements and positions of ballet all so clear. The reading of this book will be of an enormous assistance to studying ballet, and it is also invaluable if one wants to study the more technical facets of the subject. This is a necessity for all dancers and dancer-wannabes.

Why We Like This:

Good brand reputation
One of the new comers and featured product

Best For More advanced students: Janet Jerger classical Ballet Book

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The features department is where janet jerger classical ballet book truly manages to shine. When you get in a rut this is a great little book to pick up and give you a. It is great for teachers or more advanced students practicing on their own. It also helps you keep track of what was covered during the year so you will move on at a steady pace. It is great for those moments when creativity wanes and you feel like you've done the same thing over and over again, this is a great help.

It has a great combo for when you get stuck in rutt. It is an easy lesson plan to follow especially if you are looking for more interesting combinations or if you just want to change things up some to challenge your students more.

Why We Like This:

Nicely prepared, studry, high quality product
Great tool for building a class for one or many
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For serious teachers: John white Jr classical Ballet Book

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It takes to become a dancer and helps the teacher to set realistic classroom goals. It comes with this book teachers are able to help their students succeed. The book is written in short, easily digestible chapters creating a great quick reference guide. It is great for serious teachers.

Why We Like This:

New and hot release
One of the new comers and featured product

The 8 Best classical Ballet books (2023 reviews)

Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Gail Grant classical Ballet Book

Best For reviewing The basics: Agrippina Vaganova classical Ballet Book

Best For learning vocabulary: Gretchen W Warren classical Ballet Book

Best For Ballet teachers: Kostrovitskaya classical Ballet Book

Best For Cecchetti method study: Cyril W Beaumont classical Ballet Book

Best For beginner: Lincoln Kirstein classical Ballet Book

Best For More advanced students: Janet Jerger classical Ballet Book

Best For serious teachers: John white Jr classical Ballet Book

9 Best Ballet teaching books