Common Dance Terms Quiz

Common Dance Terms

• Arms in lateral position: Both arms are at one side (right or left), at shoulder, chest, or waist level.
• Brush: Weight on one foot, hitting the floor with the other foot’s ball or heel, lifting that foot.
• Crossed Arms: Partners facing each other or side-by-side, joining left hands together and right hands together (either right over left or left over right).
• Cut: Quickly displacing one foot with the other.
• Do-si-do: Partners advance, pass each other's sides (right/left), step across, and move backwards without turning, passing each other's sides again to their respective places.
• Hayon-hayon: Placing one forearm in front and the other at the back of the waist.
• Hop: A spring from one foot, landing on the same foot (in place or any direction).
• Jaleo: Partners turn clockwise or counterclockwise, with elbows nearly touching.
• Jump: A spring on one or both feet, landing on both feet (any direction).
• Kumintang: Moving the hand from the wrist, either clockwise or counterclockwise.
• Leap: A spring from one foot, landing on the other foot (any direction).
• Place: Putting the foot in a certain position without putting weight on it.
• Pivot: Turning using the ball, heel, or whole foot on a fixed point or place.
• Point: Lightly touching the floor with the toes of one foot, with body weight on the other foot
• Masiwak: Turning the hand from the wrist half-way clockwise, then raising and lowering the wrist once or twice (Ibanag term).
• Salok: Arm movement downward-upward, in front of the body, as if scooping, with the trunk following the arm’s movement. (Tagalog term)
• Saludo: Partners bow to each other, the audience, opposite dancers, or neighbors with feet together (Spanish origin, used in many Philippine dances).
• Sarok: Crossing right foot in front of the left foot, bending the body slightly forward, crossing the hands in front of the right hand over the left foot (Visayan term).
• Slide: Gliding the foot smoothly along the floor (can be with or without transferring weight).
• Stamp: Forcibly and noisily bringing the foot onto the floor (with or without transferring weight).

Test your knowledge of essential dance terms with this quiz. From understanding various positions like 'arms in lateral position' to dance movements such as 'do-si-do', this quiz covers a range of common terminology used in dance. Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike!