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






2. To get bigger/ big fast movements






3. To prick






4. Big - large. (movements)






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






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






7. 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.






8. Grand dance for two. Has a definite 5 parts.






9. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






10. 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.






11. Seven






12. 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.






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






14. This means 'moving' the leg.






15. 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.






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






17. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






18. 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.






19. Change of the feet in the air.






20. 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.






21. Borken/breaking






22. To stretch out - make longer






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






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






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






26. A






27. Male dance partner to the ballerina






28. Raised






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






30. 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.






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






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






33. 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.






34. 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






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






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






37. To lean






38. Dance for three






39. 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






40. Small - little






41. 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.






42. Two






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






44. Connected movements on the points






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






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






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






48. Dance for four






49. Step






50. Slow - sustained movement