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






2. 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.






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






4. 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.






5. Whirl - or spin






6. Open - opened.






7. 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.






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






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. Big - large. (movements)






11. Body.






12. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






14. 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






15. 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.






16. 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.






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






18. 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






19. To face hips square. Not particularly to the front.






20. Seven






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






22. 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.






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






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






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






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






27. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






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






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






31. Small - little






32. 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.






33. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






34. 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.






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






36. To the front.






37. To lean






38. Leg.






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






40. To stretch out - make longer






41. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






42. To prick






43. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






44. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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