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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. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






3. Whirl - or spin






4. 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.






5. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






6. Open - opened.






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






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






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






10. 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.






11. 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






12. Diversion - enjoyment. A suite of numbers called 'entraes -' inserted into a classic ballet. These short dances are calculated to display the talents of individuals or groups of dancers.






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






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






15. Like a bell. Refers to grand battements to the front and back sliding through first position.






16. To prick






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






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






20. 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.






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






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






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






24. To lean






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






26. 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.






27. Over. Indicates that the working foot passes in front of the supporting foot.






28. Dance for three






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






30. Slow - sustained movement






31. A






32. To rock - or to swing.






33. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






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






36. 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.






37. (Movements) in the air

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






39. Turning fouetta.






40. Connected movements on the points






41. Dance for two.






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






43. Borken/breaking






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






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






46. Raised






47. This jeta is done in all directions and in a circle.






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






49. To glide. A traveling step executed by gliding the working foot from the fifth position in the required direction - the other foot closing to it.






50. Backwards - reverse.