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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 second. Applies to legs or arms. Second position.






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






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






4. 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






5. To lean






6. Open - opened.






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






8. 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.






9. Whirl - or spin






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






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






12. Leg.






13. To rock - or to swing.






14. Term used to describe the ability of a dancer to raise and hold her extended leg en l'air.






15. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






16. 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.






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






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






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






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






21. Raised






22. Slow - sustained movement






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






24. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






26. Running.






27. 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.






28. 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.






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






30. Line. The outline of a dancer as she executes certain steps.






31. Dance for two.






32. Connected movements on the points






33. 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.






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






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






36. 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.






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






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






39. Dance for three






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






41. Behind you - movements done behind you.






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






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






44. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






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






46. 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.






47. 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.






48. To prick






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






50. To throw about. This is a jump from either one foot or both feet. Jump up to double passe and extend out.