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






2. 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






3. Slow - sustained movement






4. Dance for four






5. Small - half bend of the knees.






6. 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.






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






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






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






10. Leg.






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






12. 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.






13. 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.






14. To throw. A jump from one foot to the other in which the working leg is brushed into the air and appears to have been thrown.






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






16. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






23. 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.






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






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






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






27. Whirl - or spin






28. 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.






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






30. To prick






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






32. Connected movements on the points






33. Shouldering. The placing of the shoulders.






34. Change of the feet in the air.






35. 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.






36. 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.






37. Small jeta - from a demi plia.






38. To stretch out - make longer






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






40. Behind you - movements done behind you.






41. Big - large. (movements)






42. To rock - or to swing.






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






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






45. 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.






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






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






48. Separated or thrown apart. Body position.






49. Raised






50. A jump from both feet onto one foot