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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. 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.






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






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 Withdrawn.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






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






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






6. Small - half bend of the knees.






7. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






8. 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.






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






10. 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.






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






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






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






14. This means 'moving' the leg.






15. Leg.






16. 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.






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






18. Step






19. 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.






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






21. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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






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






25. 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.






26. Connected movements on the points






27. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






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






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






31. 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.






32. Male dance partner to the ballerina






33. 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






34. Dance for three






35. 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.






36. 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.






37. Body.






38. (Movements) in the air


39. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






40. To lean






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






44. Small - little






45. To get bigger/ big fast movements






46. A jump from both feet onto one foot






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






48. Slow - sustained movement






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






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