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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. 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.






2. Raised






3. Round of the leg. Circular movement of the leg.






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






5. Behind you - movements done behind you.






6. 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.






7. 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.






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






9. Two






10. A jump from both feet onto one foot






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






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






13. To the front.






14. To lean






15. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






16. 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.






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






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






19. 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.






20. Diversion - enjoyment. A suite of numbers called 'entraes -' inserted into a classic ballet. These short dances are calculated to display the talents of individuals or groups of dancers.






21. 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.






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






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






24. Small - little






25. 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.






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






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






28. Big - large. (movements)






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






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






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






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






33. A stationary handrail that is used during ballet warm up exercises. The term also refers to the exercises that are performed at the barre - as well as that part of a ballet class that incorporates barre exercises. Much of a ballet dancer's training t






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






35. 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.






36. Whirl - or spin






37. To get bigger/ big fast movements






38. Step






39. 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.






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






41. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






42. Open - opened.






43. 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.






44. Body.






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






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






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






48. A






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






50. Connected movements on the points