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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 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.






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






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






4. 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






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






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






7. 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.






8. A jump from both feet onto one foot






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






10. Big - large. (movements)






11. Arms






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






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 Withdrawn.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






14. Raised






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






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






17. 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






18. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






20. Small - little






21. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






22. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






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






25. To lean






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






27. Borken/breaking






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






29. 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.






30. Behind you - movements done behind you.






31. To rock - or to swing.






32. To prick






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






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






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






36. Running.






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






38. A






39. Dance for three






40. 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.






41. 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.






42. 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.






43. Dance for four






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






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






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






47. 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.






48. 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.






49. Backwards - reverse.






50. Open - opened.