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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. Step in which legs/thighs beat in the air






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






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






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 Withdrawn.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






6. To get bigger/ big fast movements






7. 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.






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






9. To rock - or to swing.






10. Turning fouetta.






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






12. Closed sissone. Low elevation and a quick tempo - this sissonne finishes on two feet with the working foot gliding along the floor into the demi-plia in the fifth position.






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






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






15. 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.






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






17. To prick






18. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






19. Behind you - movements done behind you.






20. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






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. 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.






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






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






25. Dance for four






26. Small - little






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






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






29. 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.






30. Backwards - reverse.






31. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






32. 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






33. To the front.






34. 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.






35. 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.






36. 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.






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






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






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






40. Running.






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






42. Waltz step. Done with a graceful swaying body. Like a balanca but feet do not cross.






43. To stretch out - make longer






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






45. Dance for three






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






47. Borken/breaking






48. Big - large. (movements)






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






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