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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. Backwards - reverse.






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






3. Raised






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






5. Dance for two.






6. 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.






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






8. 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.






9. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






11. To prick






12. Small - half bend of the knees.






13. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






15. 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.






16. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






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






19. 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.






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






21. 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.






22. This means to pose on one leg whilst extending the other leg to the back.






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






24. Body.






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






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






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






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






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






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






31. A jump from both feet onto one foot






32. Running.






33. To stretch out - make longer






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






35. Open - opened.






36. To face hips square. Not particularly to the front.






37. 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.






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






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






40. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






42. This means 'moving' the leg.






43. 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.






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






45. Connected movements on the points






46. 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.






47. Arms






48. 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.






49. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






50. 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