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. Change of the feet in the air.






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. 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.






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






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






6. Whirl - or spin






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






8. To stretch out - make longer






9. To prick






10. A jump from both feet onto one foot






11. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






12. Small - little






13. Body.






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






15. Backwards - reverse.






16. 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.






17. Step






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






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






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






21. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






23. To the front.






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






25. Chains - links. A series of rapid turns on the points or demi-pointes done in a straight line or circle.






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






27. 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.






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






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






30. 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






31. 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






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






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






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






35. This describes certain jumps and steps - for example - jumping and landing from two feet - or a specific movement that is usually performed at the 'barre' - to stand on one leg - the other leg will then beat against it.






36. Dance for three






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






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






39. 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.






40. Arms






41. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






45. 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.






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






47. 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.






48. Running.






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






50. Seven