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






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






3. Leg.






4. Open - opened.






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






6. 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.






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






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






9. To stretch out - make longer






10. Arms






11. To prick






12. 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.






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






14. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






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






17. Raised






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






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






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






21. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






23. 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






24. Turning fouetta.






25. Behind you - movements done behind you.






26. Dance for two.






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






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






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






30. 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.






31. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






32. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






33. Seven






34. 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.






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






36. 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.






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






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






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






40. Borken/breaking






41. Slow - sustained movement






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






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






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






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






46. Whirl - or spin






47. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






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






49. 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.






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