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






2. Big - large. (movements)






3. To stretch out - make longer






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






5. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






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






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






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






10. To get bigger/ big fast movements






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






12. 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.






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






14. Two






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






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






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






18. 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






19. 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.






20. Raised






21. Borken/breaking






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






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






24. 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.






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






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






27. To prick






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






29. 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.






30. 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.






31. Running.






32. Turning fouetta.






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






34. A jump from both feet onto one foot






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






36. To the front.






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






38. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






39. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






40. 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.






41. To rock - or to swing.






42. 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.






43. Leg.






44. Male dance partner to the ballerina






45. 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.






46. Body.






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






48. Dance for three






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






50. 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.