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






2. 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.






3. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






4. 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.






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






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






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






8. Closed sissone. Low elevation and a quick tempo - this sissonne finishes on two feet with the working foot gliding along the floor into the demi-plia in the fifth position.






9. Open - opened.






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






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






12. To get bigger/ big fast movements






13. Connected movements on the points






14. Two






15. A






16. 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.






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






18. 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.






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






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






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






22. 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.






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






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






25. At the neck of the foot. Wrapped around.






26. Slow - sustained movement






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






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






29. Small - little






30. 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.






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






32. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






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






35. Leg.






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






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






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






39. To rock - or to swing.






40. Turning fouetta.






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






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






43. 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.






44. 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.






45. 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.






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






47. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






48. Male dance partner to the ballerina






49. This means 'moving' the leg.






50. To lean