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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. 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.






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






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






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






5. Two






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






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






8. 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.






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






10. Turning fouetta.






11. Dance for two.






12. 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.






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






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






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






16. 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






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






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






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






20. 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.






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






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






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






24. Change of the feet in the air.






25. Backwards - reverse.






26. 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.






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






28. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






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






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






32. Behind you - movements done behind you.






33. 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.






34. A






35. To the front.






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






37. 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.






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






39. 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.






40. Ground to ground. Feet never leave the floor.






41. Borken/breaking






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






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






44. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






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






48. Open - opened.






49. Dance for three






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.