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






2. 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.






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






4. Dance for three






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






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






7. To the front.






8. Borken/breaking






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






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






12. 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.






13. Running.






14. This means 'moving' the leg.






15. 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.






16. Open - opened.






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






18. Slow - sustained movement






19. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






21. To stretch out - make longer






22. Small - little






23. 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.






24. Whirl - or spin






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






26. Change of the feet in the air.






27. To rock - or to swing.






28. Dance for four






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






30. To escape. From 5th to second. Feet slide and don't leave floor.






31. Arms






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






33. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






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






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






36. 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.






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






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






39. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






41. To prick






42. 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.






43. A






44. 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






45. 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.






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






47. Body.






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






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






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