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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 glide. A traveling step executed by gliding the working foot from the fifth position in the required direction - the other foot closing to it.






2. 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.






3. A jump from both feet onto one foot






4. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






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






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






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






9. Slow - sustained movement






10. 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.






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






12. Dance for four






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






14. 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.






15. Change of the feet in the air.






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






17. Flying brisa. In this brisa the dancer finishes on one foot after the beat - the other leg crossed either front or back.






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






19. 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






20. 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






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






22. 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.






23. This jeta is done in all directions and in a circle.






24. Dance for three






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






26. Step






27. Two






28. 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.






29. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






30. 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.






31. Dance for two.






32. (Movements) in the air


33. Running.






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






35. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






37. 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.






38. 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.






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






40. Basque jump. A traveling step in which the dancer turns in the air with one foot drawn up to the knee of the other leg. Fifth position are foot front.






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






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






43. 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.






44. 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.






45. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






47. Body.






48. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






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