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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. 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.






2. Body.






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






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






5. Arms






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






7. To get bigger/ big fast movements






8. 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.






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






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






11. To rock - or to swing.






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






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






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






15. 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.






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






17. Interweaving or braiding. A step of beating in which the dancer jumps into the air and rapidly crosses the legs before and behind each other.






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






19. 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.






20. Raised






21. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






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






24. 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.






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






26. A jump from both feet onto one foot






27. Open - opened.






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






29. To lean






30. On the points. Rising to the tips of the toes.






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






32. Whirl - or spin






33. To stretch out - make longer






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






35. 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.






36. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






37. Leg.






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






39. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






40. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






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






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






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. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






46. Turning fouetta.






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






48. 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






49. Running.






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