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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. Borken/breaking






2. Big - large. (movements)






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






4. 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.






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






6. 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.






7. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






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






9. Two






10. Seven






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






12. 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.






13. Change of the feet in the air.






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






15. 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.






16. 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.






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






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






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






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






21. 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.






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






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






24. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






25. 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.






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






27. Royal. A changement in which the calves are beaten together before the feet change position.






28. To lean






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






30. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






32. Small - little






33. (Movements) in the air


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






35. 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.






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






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






38. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






39. Running.






40. Connected movements on the points






41. Dance for three






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






43. 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.






44. 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






45. Turning fouetta.






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






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






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






49. 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.






50. Small - half bend of the knees.