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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 stretch out - make longer






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






3. 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.






4. To the front. Any step in front of your body.






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






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






7. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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






10. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






11. Connected movements on the points






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






13. To rock - or to swing.






14. Small - little






15. 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.






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






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






18. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






19. 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.






20. 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.






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






22. 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.






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






24. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






25. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






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






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






29. 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.






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






31. Dance for four






32. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






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






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. 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.






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






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






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






40. 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.






41. A






42. Whirl - or spin






43. 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.






44. Seven






45. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






47. Arms






48. 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.






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






50. 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