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






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






3. 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.






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






5. Open - opened.






6. 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.






7. 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.






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






9. Change of the feet in the air.






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 Withdrawn.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






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






14. To the front.






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






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






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






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






19. Under. Indicates that the working foot passes behind the supporting foot.






20. 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.






21. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






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






24. Basque jump. A traveling step in which the dancer turns in the air with one foot drawn up to the knee of the other leg. Fifth position are foot front.






25. Borken/breaking






26. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






27. Leg.






28. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






30. Turning fouetta.






31. 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.






32. This means 'moving' the leg.






33. To lean






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






35. 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.






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






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






38. 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.






39. To throw. A jump from one foot to the other in which the working leg is brushed into the air and appears to have been thrown.






40. Body.






41. To prick






42. To stretch out - make longer






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






44. To rock - or to swing.






45. 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.






46. A jump from both feet onto one foot






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






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






49. Flying brisa. In this brisa the dancer finishes on one foot after the beat - the other leg crossed either front or back.






50. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.