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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 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






2. 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.






3. To lean






4. To stretch out - make longer






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






6. Basque jump. A traveling step in which the dancer turns in the air with one foot drawn up to the knee of the other leg. Fifth position are foot front.






7. Connected movements on the points






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






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






10. 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.






11. This means 'moving' the leg.






12. 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.






13. Whirl - or spin






14. 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.






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






16. 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.






17. Line. The outline of a dancer as she executes certain steps.






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






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






21. Body.






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






23. Raised






24. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






25. Running.






26. Male dance partner to the ballerina






27. Borken/breaking






28. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






29. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






30. To the front.






31. 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.






32. Bent or bending. Bending of the knee or knees






33. 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.






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






35. To rock - or to swing.






36. 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.






37. Change of the feet in the air.






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






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






40. 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.






41. Turning fouetta.






42. A






43. Step






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






45. To get bigger/ big fast movements






46. The working foot slides from the first or fifth position to the second or fourth position without lifting the toe from the ground.






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






48. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






49. To prick






50. 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.