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






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






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






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






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






6. Body.






7. 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.






8. Borken/breaking






9. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






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






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






13. Dance for four






14. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






16. 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.






17. 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.






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






19. To prick






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






21. 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.






22. 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.






23. Small - half bend of the knees.






24. To escape. From 5th to second. Feet slide and don't leave floor.






25. To face hips square. Not particularly to the front.






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 Withdrawn.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






27. To lean






28. To put together - to make a jump from one foot then landing on both feet.






29. 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.






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






31. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






32. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






33. 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.






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






35. Inward. Indicates that the leg moves in a circular direction - counterclockewise - from the back to the front.






36. 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.






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






38. 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.






39. Male dance partner to the ballerina






40. 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






41. Dance for two.






42. Fish. A position of the body in which the legs are crossed in the fifth position and held tightly together with the back arched. This pose is taken while jumping into the air.






43. To stretch out - make longer






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






45. To get bigger/ big fast movements






46. Arms






47. Open - opened.






48. Two






49. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






50. 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.