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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 get bigger/ big fast movements






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






3. 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.






4. This means 'moving' the leg.






5. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






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






7. Seven






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






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






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






11. 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






12. 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






13. Open - opened.






14. Body.






15. Turning fouetta.






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






17. Connected movements on the points






18. Change of the feet in the air.






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






20. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






22. Two






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






24. Backwards - reverse.






25. 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.






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






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






28. Arms






29. To lean






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






31. Leg.






32. To prick






33. Slow - sustained movement






34. 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.






35. A jump from both feet onto one foot






36. 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.






37. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






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






40. Bourrae step - done on pointe of demi-point.






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






42. Dance for four






43. Borken/breaking






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






45. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






46. To turn in a walk. The dancer turns slowly in place on one foot by a series of slight movements of the heel to the required side while maintaining a definite pose.






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






48. 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.






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






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