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






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 Withdrawn.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






3. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






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






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






7. 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.






8. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






10. Borken/breaking






11. Seven






12. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






13. Whirl - or spin






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






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






16. The working foot slides from the first or fifth position to the second or fourth position without lifting the toe from the ground.






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






18. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






19. A






20. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






22. 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.






23. 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.






24. At the neck of the foot. Wrapped around.






25. 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.






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






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






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






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






30. 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






31. Change of the feet in the air.






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






33. To the front.






34. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






36. Dance for four






37. Small - little






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






39. Running.






40. Body.






41. 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.






42. This means 'moving' the leg.






43. 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.






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






45. Behind you - movements done behind you.






46. 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.






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






48. 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.






49. 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.






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