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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. 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.






2. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






3. 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






4. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






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






7. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






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






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






11. To the front.






12. Running.






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






14. To get bigger/ big fast movements






15. Small - little






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






17. 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.






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






19. 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.






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






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






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






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






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 Withdrawn.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






25. 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.






26. Open - opened.






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






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






29. To stretch out - make longer






30. 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.






31. 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.






32. 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






33. 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.






34. Small - half bend of the knees.






35. Step






36. 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.






37. Body.






38. Arms






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






40. 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.






41. This describes certain jumps and steps - for example - jumping and landing from two feet - or a specific movement that is usually performed at the 'barre' - to stand on one leg - the other leg will then beat against it.






42. 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.






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






44. Leg.






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






46. Turning fouetta.






47. Whirl - or spin






48. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






50. 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.