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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. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






2. Dance for two.






3. Big - large. (movements)






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






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






6. 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.






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






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






9. 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.






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






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






12. Raised






13. To stretch out - make longer






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






15. To prick






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






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






18. 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.






19. 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.






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






21. 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.






22. Change of the feet in the air.






23. 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.






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






25. Borken/breaking






26. Turning fouetta.






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






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






29. To the front.






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






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






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






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






34. To get bigger/ big fast movements






35. Two






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






37. Step






38. A






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






40. Connected movements on the points






41. Whirl - or spin






42. Open - opened.






43. This means 'moving' the leg.






44. A jump from both feet onto one foot






45. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






46. Small - little






47. 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.






48. 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.






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






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