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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. 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






2. Royal. A changement in which the calves are beaten together before the feet change position.






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






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






5. Big - large. (movements)






6. A jump from both feet onto one foot






7. 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.






8. Whirl - or spin






9. 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.






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






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. 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.






13. To the front.






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






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






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






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






18. This term is used for a fault in which the dancer turns his or her foot in from the ankle - thereby breaking the straight line of the leg.






19. To prick






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






21. Raised






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






23. 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.






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






25. To rock - or to swing.






26. Small - half bend of the knees.






27. Two






28. Open - opened.






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






30. Dance for four






31. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






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






34. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






36. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






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






38. Waltz step. Done with a graceful swaying body. Like a balanca but feet do not cross.






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






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






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






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






43. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






44. To stretch out - make longer






45. 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






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






47. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






49. 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.






50. A