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Ballet Basics Vocab

Subjects : performing-arts, dance
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Leg.






2. This is a term used in double (supported) work for various lifts in which the danseuse is supported by the danseur in a poisson position. He may hold her above his head in a horizontal fish dive or she may fall from a sitting position on his shoulder






3. Turning fouetta.






4. Whirl - or spin






5. Jumped - jumping. When this name is added to a step - that step is done in the air.






6. Big - large. (movements)






7. Chased. A step in which one foot literally chases the other foot out of its position; done in a series.






8. Running.






9. Small rise on the ball of the foot - usually in pointe shoes.






10. Like a bell. Refers to grand battements to the front and back sliding through first position.






11. Interweaving or braiding. A step of beating in which the dancer jumps into the air and rapidly crosses the legs before and behind each other.






12. In the shape of a cross. (Front - side - back - side)






13. To pose - balanced on one leg while the other leg is slightly bent at the knee - extended to either the front - side or back.






14. A stationary handrail that is used during ballet warm up exercises. The term also refers to the exercises that are performed at the barre - as well as that part of a ballet class that incorporates barre exercises. Much of a ballet dancer's training t






15. To turn in the air. A complete sing - double - or triple turn in the air; usually landing in 5th position.






16. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






17. Two






18. Foot rises about four inches from the floor with a well-pointed toe - then slides back into the the first or fifth position.






19. Turning. Indicates that the body is to turn while executing a given step.






20. Body.






21. Open - opened.






22. This means 'moving' the leg.






23. Arms






24. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






25. Borken/breaking






26. Chains - links. A series of rapid turns on the points or demi-pointes done in a straight line or circle.






27. Carriage of the arm. The changing of arm positions.






28. Step in which legs/thighs beat in the air






29. The crossing of the legs with the body placed at an oblique angle to the audience.






30. To face hips square. Not particularly to the front.






31. To lean






32. Male dance partner to the ballerina






33. Dance for two.






34. Shaded. Position in which the dancer stands at an oblique angle to the audience so that a part of the body is taken back - almost hidden from view.






35. To strike powerfully. An exercise in which the dancer forcefully extends the working leg from a cou-de-pied position to the front - side or back.






36. Raised






37. Step






38. To put together - to make a jump from one foot then landing on both feet.






39. To the second. Applies to legs or arms. Second position.






40. The working foot slides from the first or fifth position to the second or fourth position without lifting the toe from the ground.






41. Step in which the fotot goes in back coupa and you turn ¾ of a circle then do a grand jeta to complete the turn. Usually done in a circle or diagonal.






42. Small - half bend of the knees.






43. Sinking down. A term used to describe a lowering of the body made by bending the knee of the supporting leg.






44. Developing movement. A daveloppa is a movement in which the working leg is drawn up to the knee of the supporting leg and slowly extended to an open position en l'air and held there with perfect control.






45. Change of the feet in the air.






46. Connected movements on the points






47. Arms low or down. This is the dancer's 'attention.' The arms form a circle with the palms facing each other and the back edge of the hands resting on the thighs. The arms should hang quite loosely but not allowing the elbows to touch the sides.






48. Dance for three






49. To glide. A traveling step executed by gliding the working foot from the fifth position in the required direction - the other foot closing to it.






50. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.