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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. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






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






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






5. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






6. 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.






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






8. Raised






9. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






10. Dance for two.






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






12. 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.






13. 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.






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






15. 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.






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






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






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






19. Two






20. Step






21. 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.






22. 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.






23. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






24. Small - little






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






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






27. (Movements) in the air


28. Arms






29. Slow - sustained movement






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






31. 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






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






33. Borken/breaking






34. Dance for three






35. Leg.






36. 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






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






38. 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.






39. Turning fouetta.






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






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






42. Seven






43. To prick






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






45. 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.






46. Whirl - or spin






47. 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.






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






49. 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.






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