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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. 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






2. 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.






3. 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.






4. Change of the feet in the air.






5. To lean






6. Backwards - reverse.






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. 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.






9. Slow - sustained movement






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






11. 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.






12. 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.






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






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






15. Running.






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






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






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






19. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






21. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






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






24. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






26. Turning fouetta.






27. 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.






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






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






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






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






32. Step






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






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






35. 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.






36. Borken/breaking






37. Whirl - or spin






38. To stretch out - make longer






39. 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.






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. Connected movements on the points






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






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






44. Small - half bend of the knees.






45. Behind you - movements done behind you.






46. 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.






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






48. This means 'moving' the leg.






49. To the front.






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