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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 stretch out - make longer






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






3. To the front.






4. Borken/breaking






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






6. 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.






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






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






9. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






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






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






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






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






15. Male dance partner to the ballerina






16. 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.






17. Arms






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






19. Small - little






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






21. 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.






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






23. Slow - sustained movement






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






25. 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.






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






27. 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.






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






29. To lean






30. 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.






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






32. 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.






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






34. Whirl - or spin






35. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






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






38. Turning fouetta.






39. 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.






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






41. 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.






42. Raised






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






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






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






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






47. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






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






50. 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.