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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. 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.






2. 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.






3. 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.






4. 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.






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






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






7. Dance for three






8. Dance for four






9. Backwards - reverse.






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






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






12. A jump from both feet onto one foot






13. 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.






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






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. Small - little






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






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






19. 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.






20. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






22. 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.






23. Whirl - or spin






24. 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






25. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






27. Big - large. (movements)






28. Slow - sustained movement






29. 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.






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






31. To lean






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






33. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






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






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






36. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






38. To rock - or to swing.






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






40. 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.






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






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






43. Withdrawn. A position in which the thigh is raised to the second position.






44. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






46. Section that brings you to the end of a dance - its big and important.






47. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






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






50. Borken/breaking