Test your basic knowledge |

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. Connected movements on the points






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






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






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






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






6. 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.






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






8. Raised






9. 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.






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






11. 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.






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






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






14. 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.






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






16. Dance for two.






17. Borken/breaking






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






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






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






21. To the front.






22. Backwards - reverse.






23. Leg.






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






25. A






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






27. To rock - or to swing.






28. 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.






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 Withdrawn.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






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






31. Running.






32. Body.






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






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






35. Turning fouetta.






36. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






37. This means 'moving' the leg.






38. 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.






39. Slow - sustained movement






40. A step traveling in a diagonal direction.






41. 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.






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






43. To lean






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






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






46. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






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






48. 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.






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






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