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






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






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






4. 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.






5. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






6. (Movements) in the air


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






8. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






9. 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.






10. Diversion - enjoyment. A suite of numbers called 'entraes -' inserted into a classic ballet. These short dances are calculated to display the talents of individuals or groups of dancers.






11. Whirl - or spin






12. To the second. Applies to legs or arms. Second position.






13. 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.






14. To the front.






15. 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.






16. Dance for four






17. 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.






18. Raised






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






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






21. Change of the feet in the air.






22. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






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






24. 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.






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






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






27. Turning fouetta.






28. 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.






29. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






31. Big - large. (movements)






32. Body.






33. Small - little






34. To stretch out - make longer






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






36. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






38. 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.






39. Borken/breaking






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






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






42. Small - half bend of the knees.






43. 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






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






45. Dance for two.






46. 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.






47. To strike powerfully. An exercise in which the dancer forcefully extends the working leg from a cou-de-pied position to the front - side or back.






48. Step






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






50. Slow - sustained movement