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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. 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.






2. Seven






3. Dance for four






4. To stretch out - make longer






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






6. 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.






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






8. 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.






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






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






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






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






13. Change of the feet in the air.






14. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






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






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






17. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






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






20. To prick






21. Borken/breaking






22. 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.






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






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






25. Step






26. 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.






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






28. 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.






29. To get bigger/ big fast movements






30. Behind you - movements done behind you.






31. 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.






32. Leg.






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






34. A jump from both feet onto one foot






35. To rock - or to swing.






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






37. Connected movements on the points






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






39. On the points. Rising to the tips of the toes.






40. 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.






41. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






43. Turning fouetta.






44. 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.






45. 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






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






47. Raised






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






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






50. 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.