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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. Backwards - reverse.






2. To the front.






3. 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.






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






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






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






7. To lean






8. Leg.






9. Raised






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






11. Running.






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






13. This means 'moving' the leg.






14. To rock - or to swing.






15. Whirl - or spin






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






17. Dance for three






18. (Movements) in the air

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19. 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.






20. Step






21. 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.






22. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






24. Small - little






25. 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.






26. Arms






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






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






29. Two






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. 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.






32. 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.






33. Borken/breaking






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






35. 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






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






37. 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.






38. Turning fouetta.






39. Seven






40. Slow - sustained movement






41. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






43. Male dance partner to the ballerina






44. 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.






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






46. To stretch out - make longer






47. Change of the feet in the air.






48. A






49. Dance for four






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