Test your basic knowledge |

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. Section that brings you to the end of a dance - its big and important.






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






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






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






5. To the front.






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 Withdrawn.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






7. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






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






9. 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.






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






11. 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.






12. Whirl - or spin






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






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






15. Borken/breaking






16. 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.






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






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






19. Seven






20. Backwards - reverse.






21. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






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






24. 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.






25. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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






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






29. 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.






30. 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.






31. Chains - links. A series of rapid turns on the points or demi-pointes done in a straight line or circle.






32. 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.






33. 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.






34. To stretch out - make longer






35. 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.






36. 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.






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






38. 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.






39. Running.






40. Dance for two.






41. Small - half bend of the knees.






42. 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.






43. Body.






44. 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.






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






46. Turning fouetta.






47. A jump from both feet onto one foot






48. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






49. This means 'moving' the leg.






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