French Ballet Terminology Flashcards
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French Ballet Terminology Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does 'adage' refer to in ballet?

  • A series of slow, connected movements (correct)
  • A type of jump
  • A leg position
  • A series of fast movements

    • What is an 'arabesque'?

    Working leg is extended to the back

    What does 'assemblé' mean?

    To jump from one foot to both feet, assembling the legs in the air

    Define 'attitude' in ballet.

    <p>Bent position of the leg, usually in the air</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'balancoire, en' refer to?

    <p>Term applied to grand battement when executed in continuous swinging motion front and back</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are 'chainés'?

    <p>A series of traveling turns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'chassé' mean?

    <p>To chase; one foot chases the other one out of the way</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of 'coupé'?

    <p>To cut</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'croisé'.

    <p>Body at a 45 degree angle to the audience; legs are in 5th or 4th and are crossed to the audience</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'dégagé' mean?

    <p>To disengage; an extension of the straight leg with the foot slightly off the floor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'demi plié'?

    <p>Half bending of the knees; heels stay on the floor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'développé' refer to?

    <p>To develop; extending one leg into the air, going through knee flexion first</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'écarté' in ballet?

    <p>Body at a 45 degree angle to the audience; legs open through 2nd</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'échappé sauté' mean?

    <p>To jump from both feet in a closed position to both feet in an open position, usually turned out</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'effacé'.

    <p>Body at a 45 degree angle; legs are in 5th or 4th and are open to the audience</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'fondu' mean?

    <p>To bend the supporting leg with the other leg in a non-weight bearing position</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'fouetté'?

    <p>A whipping movement; there is a great variety of fouettés</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'grand battement'.

    <p>Full swinging action of the extended leg as high as possible without distorting the supporting leg or the torso</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'grand jeté' mean?

    <p>Big leap</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'grand plié'?

    <p>Full bending of the knees; heels release from the floor, except in 2nd and 4th</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'pas de bourrée' mean?

    <p>Three steps, usually back, side, front; often a transition step</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'pas de chat'.

    <p>Step of the cat; a jump from one foot to the other, bending the knees as each leg leaves the floor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'pas de cheval'?

    <p>Step of the horse</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'passé' mean?

    <p>To pass the toe of the working foot up along the inside of the calf to the knee of the supporting leg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'penché'?

    <p>To hinge over from the hip socket while standing on one leg; working leg can be in a variety of positions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'piqué' mean?

    <p>To pick or prick; to step directly onto the ball of the foot</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'pirouette'?

    <p>Stationary turn on one leg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'port de bras'.

    <p>Carriage of the arms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'promenade' mean?

    <p>To change the facing of the body by slightly lifting the heel of the supporting leg and pivoting on the ball of the foot</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'relevé'?

    <p>To rise to the balls of the feet; can be done on one foot also</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'renversé'.

    <p>A variation where the working leg executes a rond de jambe en l'air en dedans as the body does a half turn toward the supporting leg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'retiré' mean?

    <p>Knee of the working leg is bent with the toe touching the knee of the supporting leg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'rond de jambe'.

    <p>Circular movement of the leg from the hip socket</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'en dehors' mean?

    <p>Outward</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'en dedans'?

    <p>Inward</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'à terre' mean?

    <p>On the floor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'en l'air'?

    <p>In the air</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'en attitude' mean?

    <p>In attitude; supporting knee can be straight or bent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'saut de basque'?

    <p>Aerial turn leaping from one foot to the other and landing with second leg bent with foot in front of shin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'sauté' mean?

    <p>Jumping or jumped</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'sissonne'?

    <p>A jump from two feet to one, usually closing feet at the end</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    French Ballet Terminology

    • Adage: A series of slow, connected movements typically performed in the center of the stage, emphasizing control and fluidity.
    • Arabesque: A position where the working leg is extended straight back, creating a long line from fingertips to toes.
    • Assemblé: A jumping movement where the dancer takes off from one foot and lands on both feet, legs assembled in the air.
    • Attitude: A pose characterized by a bent leg, commonly held in the air for aesthetic effect.
    • Balancoire, en: Refers to a grand battement executed with a continuous swinging motion, moving front and back.
    • Chainés: A succession of rapid turns while traveling across the floor.
    • Chassé: Means "to chase"; a sliding motion where one foot chases the other.
    • Coupé: Translates to "to cut," indicating a movement that transitions from one position to another.
    • Croisé: A position where the body faces a 45-degree angle to the audience with crossed legs.
    • Dégagé: Describes an extended leg that disengages from the floor slightly.
    • Demi plié: A half bend of the knees while keeping heels flat on the ground.
    • Développé: An unfolding movement that creates an extension of one leg into the air, first flexing at the knee.
    • Écarté: Position of the body at a 45-degree angle with legs opened to the side in second position.
    • Échappé sauté: A jump transitioning from a closed position on both feet to an open position, often turned out.
    • Effacé: The body is at a 45-degree angle with legs open to the audience; can be performed in different positions.
    • Fondu: A movement where the supporting leg bends as the other leg remains in the air, not bearing weight.
    • Fouetté: A dynamic and quick whipping motion that can involve various turning and body orientations.
    • Grand battement: A high swinging action of the leg, maintained without compromising the torso or supporting leg.
    • Grand jeté: A significant leap executed with both legs extended.
    • Grand plié: A full bend of the knees where the heels lift off the ground, except in positions second and fourth.
    • Pas de bourrée: A transitional step involving three movements, usually back, side, and front.
    • Pas de chat: A jump that resembles a cat's movement, involving bending knees during the transition from one foot to the other.
    • Pas de cheval: Known as the "step of the horse," depicting a specific movement pattern.
    • Passé: The positioning of the toe of the working foot along the inside of the supporting leg’s calf to the knee.
    • Penché: A hinging motion from the hip while balancing on one leg, with the working leg in different positions.
    • Piqué: A direct step onto the ball of the foot, often indicating precision.
    • Pirouette: A stationary turn performed on one leg, showcasing balance and technique.
    • Port de bras: Refers to the stylized movement of the arms, embodying grace and flow.
    • Promenade: A movement that changes the facing of the body by lifting the heel and pivoting on the ball of the foot.
    • Relevé: Rising onto the balls of the feet, optional on one foot; termed "élevé" if done without plié.
    • Renversé: Involves a change in body direction with a specific leg movement and half turn executed toward the supporting leg.
    • Retiré: A position where the working leg’s knee bends, touching the knee of the grounded leg’s supporting knee.
    • Rond de jambe: Circular leg movement emanating from the hip socket, performed on the ground or in the air.
    • En dehors: Indicates a movement or position that goes outward.
    • En dedans: Refers to a movement that goes inward.
    • À terre: A term meaning "on the floor," which can relate to positions or movements.
    • En l'air: Translates to "in the air," highlighting elevated positions or actions.
    • En attitude: Describes a position in attitude with flexibility in the supporting knee.
    • Saut de basque: An aerial turn executed while leaping from one foot to another, landing with the second leg bent.
    • Sauté: Meaning "jump," indicating actions that involve elevation from the ground.
    • Sissonne: A jump taken from two feet to one, usually finishing with a closing action for the feet.

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    Test your knowledge of French ballet terminology with this flashcard quiz. Each card presents a term along with its definition, helping you gain a deeper understanding of essential dance movements and positions. Perfect for ballet students and enthusiasts alike!

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