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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. 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.






2. Seven






3. Whirl - or spin






4. Dance for three






5. Big - large. (movements)






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






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






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






9. 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.






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 the front. Any step in front of your body.






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






13. Dance for two.






14. To stretch out - make longer






15. 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.






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






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






18. 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.






19. 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.






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






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






22. Change of the feet in the air.






23. To rock - or to swing.






24. 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.






25. Line. The outline of a dancer as she executes certain steps.






26. 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.






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






28. Behind you - movements done behind you.






29. To prick






30. Connected movements on the points






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






32. Arms






33. Open - opened.






34. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






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






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






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






39. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






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






41. A jump from both feet onto one foot






42. Two






43. 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.






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






45. Small - half bend of the knees.






46. Leg.






47. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






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






49. Small - little






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.