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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. Big - large. (movements)






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






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






4. 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.






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






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






7. Dance for four






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






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






10. Backwards - reverse.






11. Small - little






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






13. 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.






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






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






16. 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.






17. 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.






18. Two






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 Withdrawn.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






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






21. Shaded. Position in which the dancer stands at an oblique angle to the audience so that a part of the body is taken back - almost hidden from view.






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






23. Body.






24. 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.






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






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






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






28. 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.






29. Male dance partner to the ballerina






30. Connected movements on the points






31. 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.






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






33. To lean






34. Dance for three






35. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






36. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






37. 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.






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






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






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






41. Leg.






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






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






44. To stretch out - make longer






45. A






46. Slow - sustained movement






47. Behind you - movements done behind you.






48. To get bigger/ big fast movements






49. 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.






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