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






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






3. To lean






4. To rock - or to swing.






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






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






7. Big - large. (movements)






8. 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.






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






10. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






11. Step






12. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






14. Change of the feet in the air.






15. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






16. Raised






17. 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.






18. 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.






19. Open - opened.






20. 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.






21. Running.






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






23. Male dance partner to the ballerina






24. Body.






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






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






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






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






29. Dance for two.






30. To prick






31. Two






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






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 Withdrawn.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






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






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






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






37. 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.






38. 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.






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






40. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






42. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






44. Connected movements on the points






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






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






47. Small - little






48. Backwards - reverse.






49. 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.






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