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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 the front. Any step in front of your body.






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






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






4. A jump from both feet onto one foot






5. Dance for four






6. To lean






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






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






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






10. 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.






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






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






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






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






15. Turning. Indicates that the body is to turn while executing a given step.






16. Change of the feet in the air.






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 Withdrawn.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






18. 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.






19. 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.






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. Step






22. Open - opened.






23. Dance for three






24. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






25. 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






26. 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.






27. Small - little






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






29. Backwards - reverse.






30. 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.






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






32. 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.






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






34. This means 'moving' the leg.






35. 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.






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. 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.






38. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






40. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






42. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






44. 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.






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






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






47. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






48. Body.






49. 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






50. Under. Indicates that the working foot passes behind the supporting foot.