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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. To prick






2. Slow - sustained movement






3. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






4. This describes certain jumps and steps - for example - jumping and landing from two feet - or a specific movement that is usually performed at the 'barre' - to stand on one leg - the other leg will then beat against it.






5. Borken/breaking






6. Closed sissone. Low elevation and a quick tempo - this sissonne finishes on two feet with the working foot gliding along the floor into the demi-plia in the fifth position.






7. To lean






8. 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.






9. Step of the cat. Jump where legs come up to double passa.






10. Bourrae step - done on pointe of demi-point.






11. Carried. Refers either to a step which is traveled in the air from one spot to another.






12. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






13. To escape. From 5th to second. Feet slide and don't leave floor.






14. 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.






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






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






17. Enrico Cecchetti was a ballet teacher. He had a system of passing the tradition of ballet down to the next generation. The method has a definite program of strict routine and includes a table of principal set daily exercises for each day of the week.






18. Sideways. Used to indicate that a step is to be made to the side - either to the right or to the left.






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






20. Step






21. Section that brings you to the end of a dance - its big and important.






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






23. Dance for three






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






25. 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






26. Open - opened.






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






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






29. 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






30. 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.






31. 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.






32. Inward. Indicates that the leg moves in a circular direction - counterclockewise - from the back to the front.






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






34. Body.






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






36. Big - large. (movements)






37. Term used to describe the ability of a dancer to raise and hold her extended leg en l'air.






38. 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.






39. To throw about. This is a jump from either one foot or both feet. Jump up to double passe and extend out.






40. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






41. Behind you - movements done behind you.






42. Line. The outline of a dancer as she executes certain steps.






43. To stretch out - make longer






44. Small - little






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






46. Whipped. A term applied to a whipping movement.






47. Fish. A position of the body in which the legs are crossed in the fifth position and held tightly together with the back arched. This pose is taken while jumping into the air.






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






49. To turn in a walk. The dancer turns slowly in place on one foot by a series of slight movements of the heel to the required side while maintaining a definite pose.






50. To the front. Any step in front of your body.