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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. 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.






2. 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.






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






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






5. Dance for three






6. Whirl - or spin






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






8. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






9. 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.






10. 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.






11. To lean






12. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






13. To prick






14. 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.






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






16. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






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






19. Turning fouetta.






20. Body.






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






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






23. Seven






24. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






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






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






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






29. Two






30. Running.






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






32. 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.






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






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






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






36. To the front.






37. Step






38. Leg.






39. Behind you - movements done behind you.






40. Dance for two.






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






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






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






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






45. Connected movements on the points






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






47. 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.






48. Raised






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






50. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.