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






3. To prick






4. 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.






5. Connected movements on the points






6. Grand dance for two. Has a definite 5 parts.






7. 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.






8. Step






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






10. To lean






11. This means to pose on one leg whilst extending the other leg to the back.






12. Turning fouetta.






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






14. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






15. Male dance partner to the ballerina






16. To rock - or to swing.






17. The ability to jump easily and lightly into the air. Springy - usually men.






18. Raised






19. 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.






20. A






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






22. Behind you - movements done behind you.






23. 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.






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






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






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






27. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






28. 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






29. Running.






30. 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.






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






32. 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.






33. Dance for four






34. Two






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






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






37. 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






38. Dance for three






39. Big - large. (movements)






40. 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.






41. 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.






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






43. Change of the feet in the air.






44. 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.






45. Arms






46. Slow - sustained movement






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






48. Ground to ground. Feet never leave the floor.






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






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