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






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






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






4. Slow - sustained movement






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






6. Backwards - reverse.






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






8. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






10. Carried. Refers either to a step which is traveled in the air from one spot to another.






11. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






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






14. Dance for two.






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






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






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






18. To rock - or to swing.






19. Sideways. Used to indicate that a step is to be made to the side - either to the right or to the left.






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






21. To prick






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






23. This means 'moving' the leg.






24. 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.






25. 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.






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






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






28. 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.






29. Running.






30. 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.






31. Whirl - or spin






32. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






34. Dance for four






35. Big - large. (movements)






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






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






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






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






40. Raised






41. Change of the feet in the air.






42. 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






43. 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.






44. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






45. To get bigger/ big fast movements






46. Arms






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






48. 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.






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






50. Open - opened.