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






2. Dance for four






3. Dance for two.






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






5. Running.






6. 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.






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






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






9. 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.






10. Seven






11. 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.






12. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






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






15. 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.






16. 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.






17. 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.






18. To get bigger/ big fast movements






19. 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.






20. To lean






21. Slow - sustained movement






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






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






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






25. 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






26. To rock - or to swing.






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. 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.






29. Sideways. Used to indicate that a step is to be made to the side - either to the right or to the left.






30. Turning fouetta.






31. Body.






32. To the front.






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






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






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






36. 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.






37. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






38. Dance for three






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






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






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






42. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






43. Small - little






44. Jumped - jumping. When this name is added to a step - that step is done in the air.






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






46. Whirl - or spin






47. Two






48. Small - half bend of the knees.






49. Open - opened.






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