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






2. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






3. Body.






4. Running.






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






6. Seven






7. 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.






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






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






10. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






12. To stretch out - make longer






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 Withdrawn.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






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






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






16. 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.






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






18. A jump from both feet onto one foot






19. Grand dance for two. Has a definite 5 parts.






20. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






21. Open - opened.






22. Change of the feet in the air.






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






24. To get bigger/ big fast movements






25. 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.






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






27. Big - large. (movements)






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






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






30. Backwards - reverse.






31. Two






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






33. Male dance partner to the ballerina






34. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






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






37. Raised






38. Borken/breaking






39. To the front.






40. 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.






41. Arms






42. 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.






43. Dance for four






44. 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.






45. 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.






46. Step






47. 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.






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






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






50. 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