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. 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






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






3. Step






4. Running.






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






6. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






7. Big - large. (movements)






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






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






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






11. Backwards - reverse.






12. Slow - sustained movement






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






14. 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






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






16. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






17. 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.






18. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






19. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






20. Arms






21. Two






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






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






24. Open - opened.






25. 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.






26. 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.






27. To turn in the air. A complete sing - double - or triple turn in the air; usually landing in 5th position.






28. To rock - or to swing.






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






30. Dance for four






31. To prick






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






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






34. To throw about. This is a jump from either one foot or both feet. Jump up to double passe and extend out.






35. A






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






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






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






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






41. 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.






42. To the front.






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






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






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






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






47. 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.






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






49. 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.






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