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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. Two






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






3. 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.






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






5. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






6. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






7. To lean






8. To stretch out - make longer






9. 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.






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






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






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






13. 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.






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






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






16. Borken/breaking






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






18. 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.






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






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






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 Withdrawn.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






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






23. Open - opened.






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






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






26. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






27. Leg.






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






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






30. To prick






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






32. At the neck of the foot. Wrapped around.






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






34. 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.






35. To the front.






36. This means 'moving' the leg.






37. 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.






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






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






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






41. Male dance partner to the ballerina






42. Whirl - or spin






43. Backwards - reverse.






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






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






46. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






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






48. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






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