4 pointe look like?

Question:I've been taking ballet for quite a while now, started when I was 3, quit when I was 13, and now that I'm 20 I've begun again. I've been taking lessons for 5 months now, and my instructor and I have been discussing pointe work. She said I would be ready to go get fitted for pointe shoes when I started going on 3/4 pointe, but since I was in the middle of an arabesque so I didn't want to lose concentration just to ask, and then I forgot. I don't want to bring it up again in fear to seem too greedy or something, so if anyone has pictures or could sensibly describe what it looks like and how I could acheive it and master it, I'd be in your great debt and would love you forever :)!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I've been taking ballet for quite a while now, started when I was 3, quit when I was 13, and now that I'm 20 I've begun again. I've been taking lessons for 5 months now, and my instructor and I have been discussing pointe work. She said I would be ready to go get fitted for pointe shoes when I started going on 3/4 pointe, but since I was in the middle of an arabesque so I didn't want to lose concentration just to ask, and then I forgot. I don't want to bring it up again in fear to seem too greedy or something, so if anyone has pictures or could sensibly describe what it looks like and how I could acheive it and master it, I'd be in your great debt and would love you forever :)!

Good question!!

One can best describe 3/4 pointe as halfway between demi (1/2) and full pointe. Teachers usually use it in the context of:
"half pointe, 3/4, full pointe", meaning roll fully through the foot.

When you are off-pointe, 3/4 refers to above your regular releve. You want to be right in the middle of your big toe, if that makes any sense. The best way to get up there is to go on regular releve, then use the same muscles you use to point your foot to get up there. You'll go up right to 3/4. Don't go to the top of your big toe, the curved part. You'll hurt yourself and probably roll over onto your knuckles. Ouch!

I have a great amount of respect for your honest devotion to your craft, and going the extra mile and asking others' opinions. Kudos!

Good luck, hope I helped? (and good for you for getting back into ballet).

3/4 pointe is in between half(demi) point and full point. Half pointe is what you do when you are turning. Full pointe should only be done in pointe shoes.

When you tondu you should be rolling through your 3/4 quarter pointe. The best way to understand is to see it demonstrated. Ask your teacher for some exercises that will help strengthen your 3/4 pointe( you need to strengthen the tiny muscles and tendons in your toes). If she can't I might be persuaded to put up a you tube video of them.

just to clarify the first answer.

look at this picture http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11...

This model has fabulous feet, so don't expect to look like this.

BUT - a full 3/4 pointe has the weight completely on the ball of the foot, the ankle is pointed fully, and the toes are in a flexed position.

Notice that the ankle is forward over the toes, that is the position you want to achieve. It requires ankle and foot flexibility combined with ankle and foot strength to hold you up.