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






2. Body.






3. 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.






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






5. Dance for four






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






7. Small - little






8. Backwards - reverse.






9. Turning fouetta.






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






11. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






12. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






14. 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.






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






16. Leg.






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






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






19. 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.






20. Borken/breaking






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






22. Big - large. (movements)






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






24. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






26. Dance for two.






27. To rock - or to swing.






28. Whirl - or spin






29. 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.






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






31. To the front.






32. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






33. To lean






34. Open - opened.






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






36. Connected movements on the points






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






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






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






40. 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.






41. 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






42. Small - half bend of the knees.






43. A jump from both feet onto one foot






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






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






47. Slow - sustained movement






48. Running.






49. To get bigger/ big fast movements






50. 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.