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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. Small - half bend of the knees.






2. Whirl - or spin






3. To prick






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






5. A jump from both feet onto one foot






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






7. Turning fouetta.






8. The crossing of the legs with the body placed at an oblique angle to the audience.






9. 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.






10. Dance for three






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






12. 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.






13. Seven






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






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






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






17. 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.






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






19. To stretch out - make longer






20. Leg.






21. Male dance partner to the ballerina






22. 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.






23. 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.






24. 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.






25. Step






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






27. 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.






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






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






30. 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.






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






32. Dance for four






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






34. 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






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






36. Small - little






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 Withdrawn.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






38. 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.






39. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






40. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






41. 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






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






43. In the shape of a cross. (Front - side - back - side)






44. Body.






45. Term used to describe the ability of a dancer to raise and hold her extended leg en l'air.






46. A






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






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






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






50. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion