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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. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






7. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






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






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






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






12. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






14. Small - little






15. Body.






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






17. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






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






20. 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.






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






22. 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.






23. 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.






24. This means 'moving' the leg.






25. Jumped - jumping. When this name is added to a step - that step is done in the air.






26. 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.






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






28. 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.






29. Dance for four






30. 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.






31. To stretch out - make longer






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






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






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






35. Whirl - or spin






36. To lean






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






38. 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.






39. 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.






40. 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.






41. 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.






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






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






44. Borken/breaking






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






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






47. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






48. Dance for three






49. Turning fouetta.






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