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






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






3. This means 'moving' the leg.






4. 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.






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






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






7. Connected movements on the points






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






9. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






15. To rock - or to swing.






16. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






17. Turning fouetta.






18. A march in which two steps are taken forward on the demi-pointes and then the third step is taken flat with the supporting knee bent in fondu and the other leg raised in front.






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






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






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






22. 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.






23. 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.






24. To lean






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






26. Dance for four






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






28. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






29. 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.






30. Big - large. (movements)






31. Slow - sustained movement






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






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. 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






35. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






37. Step






38. Borken/breaking






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






40. Small rise on the ball of the foot - usually in pointe shoes.






41. 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.






42. 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.






43. Change of the feet in the air.






44. Withdrawn. A position in which the thigh is raised to the second position.






45. 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.






46. Seven






47. 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.






48. Dance for two.






49. 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.






50. 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.