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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 face hips square. Not particularly to the front.






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






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






4. Withdrawn. A position in which the thigh is raised to the second position.






5. 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.






6. Dance for two.






7. This means 'moving' the leg.






8. A ballet fan or enthusiast. The word was invented in Russia in the early nineteenth century.






9. Borken/breaking






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






11. A march in which two steps are taken forward on the demi-pointes and then the third step is taken flat with the supporting knee bent in fondu and the other leg raised in front.






12. 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.






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






14. 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.






15. At the neck of the foot. Wrapped around.






16. 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.






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. Small - half bend of the knees.






19. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






21. Running.






22. Small - little






23. 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.






24. Over. Indicates that the working foot passes in front of the supporting foot.






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






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






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






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






29. Slow - sustained movement






30. Seven






31. Bent or bending. Bending of the knee or knees






32. 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






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






34. Sating ballet slippers dancers use when dancing in sur le point.






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






36. Diversion - enjoyment. A suite of numbers called 'entraes -' inserted into a classic ballet. These short dances are calculated to display the talents of individuals or groups of dancers.






37. 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.






38. Open - opened.






39. This jeta is done in all directions and in a circle.






40. Pas de bourra - running. This is a progression on the points or demi-pointes by a series of small - even steps with the feet close together. It may be done in all directions or in a circle.






41. 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.






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






43. Dance for three






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






45. Dance for four






46. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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. On the points. Rising to the tips of the toes.






49. Step






50. To prick