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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. Turning fouetta.






2. Two






3. To rock - or to swing.






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






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






6. Behind you - movements done behind you.






7. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






8. Under. Indicates that the working foot passes behind the supporting foot.






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






10. 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.






11. Section that brings you to the end of a dance - its big and important.






12. Running.






13. Change of the feet in the air.






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 Withdrawn.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






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






16. Seven






17. To stretch out - make longer






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






19. 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.






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






21. Leg.






22. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






23. To lean






24. To get bigger/ big fast movements






25. 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.






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






27. Male dance partner to the ballerina






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






29. 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






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






31. Line. The outline of a dancer as she executes certain steps.






32. Outward. Leg moves clockwise in a circular motion






33. Flying brisa. In this brisa the dancer finishes on one foot after the beat - the other leg crossed either front or back.






34. To the front.






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






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






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






38. 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.






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






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






41. 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.






42. This means 'moving' the leg.






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






44. Whirl - or spin






45. Backwards - reverse.






46. Small - half bend of the knees.






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






48. Dance for three






49. 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






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