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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. A






2. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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






5. To the front.






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






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






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






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






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






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






12. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






14. 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.






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






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






17. To stretch out - make longer






18. Big - large. (movements)






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






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






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






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






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






24. Running.






25. Dance for two.






26. To prick






27. Dance for four






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






29. 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.






30. 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.






31. 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.






32. Arms






33. Two






34. 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.






35. 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.






36. 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.






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






38. 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.






39. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






41. 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.






42. 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.






43. Turning fouetta.






44. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






46. 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.






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






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






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






50. Backwards - reverse.