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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. To pose - balanced on one leg while the other leg is slightly bent at the knee - extended to either the front - side or back.






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






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






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






5. (Movements) in the air


6. Small - little






7. 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.






8. Running.






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






10. To the front.






11. Borken/breaking






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






13. 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.






14. 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.






15. Backwards - reverse.






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






17. A jump from both feet onto one foot






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






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






20. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






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






23. Raised






24. To rock - or to swing.






25. Big - large. (movements)






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






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






28. Dance for four






29. Change of the feet in the air.






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. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






32. Body.






33. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






35. 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.






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






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






38. Slow - sustained movement






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 Withdrawn.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






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






41. 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






42. 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.






43. Whirl - or spin






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






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






46. 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.






47. Interweaving or braiding. A step of beating in which the dancer jumps into the air and rapidly crosses the legs before and behind each other.






48. Small - half bend of the knees.






49. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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