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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. In the shape of a cross. (Front - side - back - side)






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






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






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






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






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






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






8. 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.






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






10. Turning fouetta.






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






12. 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.






13. Dance for three






14. 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.






15. 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.






16. Borken/breaking






17. Behind you - movements done behind you.






18. 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.






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






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






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






22. 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.






23. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






24. Interweaving or braiding. A step of beating in which the dancer jumps into the air and rapidly crosses the legs before and behind each other.






25. A






26. To rock - or to swing.






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






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






29. Connected movements on the points






30. 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.






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






32. To get bigger/ big fast movements






33. 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.






34. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






36. Foot rises about four inches from the floor with a well-pointed toe - then slides back into the the first or fifth position.






37. 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.






38. Arms






39. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






41. Small - little






42. 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.






43. To stretch out - make longer






44. To lean






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






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






47. Open - opened.






48. Male dance partner to the ballerina






49. To the front.






50. Dance for two.