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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. 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.






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






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 Withdrawn.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






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






5. 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.






6. Whirl - or spin






7. A jump from both feet onto one foot






8. 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.






9. Dance for two.






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






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






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






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






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. To prick






16. Body.






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






18. Small - little






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






20. To the front.






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






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






23. To stretch out - make longer






24. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






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






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






28. To lean






29. Behind you - movements done behind you.






30. To the second. Applies to legs or arms. Second position.






31. Dance for three






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






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






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






35. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






37. 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






38. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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






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






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






43. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






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






46. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






47. Connected movements on the points






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






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






50. Raised