Test your basic knowledge |

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






2. 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.






3. To stretch out - make longer






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






5. Slow - sustained movement






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






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






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






9. Borken/breaking






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






11. (Movements) in the air


12. Running.






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






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






15. Seven






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






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






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






19. Leg.






20. 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.






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






22. 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






23. 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.






24. A






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






26. 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.






27. The ability to jump easily and lightly into the air. Springy - usually men.






28. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






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






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






32. Dance for four






33. A stationary handrail that is used during ballet warm up exercises. The term also refers to the exercises that are performed at the barre - as well as that part of a ballet class that incorporates barre exercises. Much of a ballet dancer's training t






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






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






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






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






38. To rock - or to swing.






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






41. Two






42. Raised






43. 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.






44. 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.






45. To the front.






46. Turning fouetta.






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






48. 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.






49. To prick






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