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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. 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.






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






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






4. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






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






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






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






9. Step in which the fotot goes in back coupa and you turn ¾ of a circle then do a grand jeta to complete the turn. Usually done in a circle or diagonal.






10. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






12. 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.






13. Raised






14. Running.






15. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






16. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






17. 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.






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






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






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






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






22. Line. The outline of a dancer as she executes certain steps.






23. To the front.






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






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






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






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






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






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






30. 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.






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






32. Open - opened.






33. Male dance partner to the ballerina






34. Connected movements on the points






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






36. 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.






37. 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.






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






39. 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.






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






41. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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






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






45. Big - large. (movements)






46. 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.






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






48. 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.






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






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