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Dance Terms Flashcards

Dance Mid-Term

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954772910AdagioAny dance to slow music; also, part of the classical pas de deux in ballet.0
954772911AllegroA dance with fast or moderate tempo. That part of a ballet class comprised of fast turning or jumping, especially beaten steps; usually follows the adagio.1
954772912ArabesqueA position in which the dancer stands on one leg, straight or bent, with the other extended to the back at 90 degrees.2
954772913AssembléA jump from one to both feet, usually landing in fifth position.3
954772914AttitudeA pose in which one leg is raised in back or in front with knee bent, usually with one arm raised.4
954772915BalancéA step that rocks from one foot to the other, usually in 3/4 time.5
954772916BalanceAbility of the dancer to maintain an upright and controlled position of the body whether in movement or still.6
954772917ChasseA sliding step in which one foot "chases" and displaces the other.7
954772918ContractionA basic movement in the technique of Martha Graham, based on breath inhalation and exhalation. To flex from the core and add tension.8
954772919DéveloppéAn unfolding of the leg in the air. A large, relatively slow leg gesture. The gesture limb begins from first or fifth position, passes through passé, to extend at 90° or higher to the front (en avant), side (a la seconde), or back (en arrière - arabesque).9
954772920First PositionFeet in a straight line, heels touching. The action of bending or the condition of being bent.10
954772921Fifth PositionOne foot in front of the other, parallel, with heel in front foot touching toe of back foot.11
954772922Fourth Position ClosedOne foot in front of the other, parallel, but apart.12
954772923JetéA leap from one leg to the other in which one leg is thrown to the side, front, or back. Grand Jeté - A large leap forward.13
954772924MazurkaA Polish national dance in triple time with an accent on the second beat, characterized by proud bearing, clicking of heels, and holubria, a special turning step. In the Mazurka the couples follow the leader in circular formation around the room. Sometimes the woman kneels down while her partner executes a chasse around her, and then this figure is reversed.14
954772925PirouettesA complete turn of the body executed on one leg; the working leg is placed with the foot drawn up to the ankle or knee of the supporting leg.15
954772926PolkaHop, step, step, step, 2/4.16
954772927Port de BrasLiterally "carriage of the arms." Used in this sense, and also to denote exercise designed to develop the upper part of the body. There are positions of the arms just as there are positions of the feet -- the numbering of them varies according to the method of training.17
954772928RelevéIn ballet, a rising with a spring movement to point or demi-point.18
954772929Rond de JambeLiterally "circle of the leg." May be performed on the ground or in the air, inwards or outwards, jumping or turning.19
954772930SchottischeA dance similar to the Polka. It is characterized by the clapping of hands after having taken three hopping steps. It is written in 4/4 time.20
954772931Second PositionFeet in a straight line, heels apart.21
954772932SpottingA fixing of the eyes on one spot as long as possible during turns to avoid dizziness and to keep one's orientation.22
954772933Third PositionOne foot in front of the other, parallel to it, with heel of front foot in hollow instep of back foot.23
954772934TwistThis dance was written by an African American musician in Georgia in 1958. He and his band members made up some twisting movements for the musicians to do while playing the music. Then in 1960, Chubby Checker made his first twist record, and made the Twist famous in Philadelphia. Twist came to New York via Philadelphia and New Jersey and then spread throughout most countries.24
1001802614Battement TendusAn extension of the working leg away from the supporting leg, stretching from first or fifth position along the floor until reaching pointe tendu (when the toes are fully pointed) on the floor.25
1001802615Battement DégagésBegins and ends the same as a battement tendu except that it leaves the floor to a height of 15 cm after reaching pointe tendu.26
1001802616En CroixBattement in a cross. Unilateral leg gesture carried out in three directions relative to the dancer's front (en avant), side (a la seconde), and back (en arrière), making the shape of a cross. Typical barre exercises (tondu, dégagé, dévelopé, frappé, grand battement, etc are performed en croix.27
1001802617En L'AirBattement in the air.28
1001802618À TerreBattement on the ground.29
1001802619ExtensionStretching or elongating the limbs or torso.30
1001802620ImprovisationMovements that are created spontaneously by the dancer with or without specific direction, either individually or with other dancers.31
1001802621Parallel PositionIn contemporary dance, the feet may be in parallel (i.e. not turned out) in first, second and fourth positions, and, sometimes, in fifth position.32
1001802622En DehorsÀ terre where the pointed toe of a stretched working leg traces a circular pattern, from the front of the body to the back. Outward. A circular movement of the gesture limb from front to back, or a turn which moves away from the stance limb.33
1001802623En DedansÀ terre From back to front, passing each time through first position of the feet. Inward. A circular movement of the gesture limb from the back to the front (as in ronde de jambe), or a turn done toward the stance limb.34
1001802624PetitEn l'air, with the working leg raised just a few centimetres from the ground.35
1001802625Grand BattementEn l'air, where it is raised to 90°.36
1001802626À La SecondeA rond de jambe en l'air may also be performed as an isolated movement with the working leg raised à la seconde (to the side) and the knee bending and straightening as the toe describes quick circular patterns in the air without moving the thigh.37
1001802627SautéFrench, in ballet, a jump.38
1001802628TurnoutA way of standing and using the legs that is initiated in the pelvis, where both sides of the body rotate outwards from the hips, away from the spine.39
1001802629UpstageWhen facing the audience, the area farthest away from the audience.40
1001802630DownstageWhen facing the audience, the area closest to the audience.41
1016191936BeatsTo hit the legs together, moving in and out of fifth position in the air. See petite batterie.42
1016191937Chaînès"Linked like a chain". A series of small turning steps with the feet in first position relevé. Weight is shifted rapidly from one to the other limb with each half turn. Performed continuously in rapid succession.43
1016191938Changement"Changing the feet". A vertical jump with a change of feet in the air (from fifth position front to fifth back).44
1016191939CoupéTo cut, a small intermediary step, used as a link between steps, such as jeté, pas de bourré.45
1016199663Demi PliéHalf. As in demi-plié.46
1016199664DerrièreBehind.47
1016199665DevantIn front.48
1016440940En avantDancer's front.49
1016440941HopJump into the air, landing on the same foot and keeping the heel lifted. With a soft knee, straighten leg, rise slightly off the floor, and return to the floor on the same foot; no weight change. Often it is more gentle and elegant to power the hop not with extension of the supporting leg but with a slight lift of the free knee. Transfer of weight from 1 foot to the same foot.50
1016440942LeapA spring into the air, from one foot to the other. Transfer of weight from 1 foot to the other with a moment of suspension.51
1016440943LungeA large, open fourth position in which one knee is bent (usually the front), and the other is straight.52
1016440944Lateral RotationA side stretch of the torso, with legs in 2nd position.53
1016440945Pas de basqueA traveling step from fifth position plié, which includes one 1/2 ronde de jambe from front to side, weight transfer to this leg, and closure into fifth plié.54
1016440946RetierèA static position in which the hip of the gesturing leg is externally rotated and abducted, the knee is flexed, and the foot is pointed and touching the knee of the stance limb.55
1016440947SissoneA jump from two feet onto one foot in various directions.56
1016440948SoutenuFrom demi-plié on the stance leg and pointe tondu with the gesture leg. Rising to demi-pointe while simultaneously drawing the gesture leg into fifth.57
1016440949TripletThree sounds, usually a shuffle step. Three steps taken evenly over two beats of music. The time value of these three steps would be 2/3, 2/3, 2/3 (in 4/4 music).58
1016440950Rhythm PatternPulse of the music. Rhythm dance is composed of broken rhythms, syncopation, and off beats.59
1016491469AlignmentThe direction of a step or figure in relation to the room (e.g., LOD). Consider alignment in contrast to foot position, which is the direction of a step in relation to the other foot (e.g., forward, side, back). The spine line, the lumbar spine.60
1016491470MeasureA short section of music in the regularly recurring rhythm, usually marked by an initial stronger accent and then one, two, three, or more lesser accents. For instance, a waltz measure consists of one strong downbeat and two lesser beats: 1, 2, 3; 1, 2, 3;61
1016491471FacingTo have one's front in the direction of something else, such as "man facing wall." Also, partners in front of each other, front to front.62
1016491472FallsLower body with weight centered over the ball and toes of the supporting foot. Involves whole body: lower onto heel, flex knee, and compress upper body.63
1016491473PhraseA passage of two or more measures of music. A phrase will be perceived as a specific tune or melody. Most pieces of dance music consist of two or more different phrases, each designated by a capital letter. Any phrase can repeat within the piece, so a whole piece might be designated: lead in, intro, A, A, B, A, C, end.64
1016491474PivotUsually as a couple, step and rotate on the ball of the supporting foot by turning the upper body. Stepping forward R, one would turn right. Stepping back L, one would turn right. The free leg is extended forward or back. Amount of turn can be very little or 1/2 turn or more.65
1016491475RiseElevate body with weight centered over the ball and toes of the supporting foot. Involves whole body: lifting heel off floor, straightening knees, and stretching upper body. Foot rise can be distinguished and separated from body rise.66
1016491476RunSometimes, a step taken on one beat of music; a quick. Transfer of weight from 1 foot to the other, with momentary loss of contact.67
1016491477SequenceThe order in which steps, figures, or dance actions are to be performed.68
1016491478SkipStep forward and with a soft knee, straighten leg, rise slightly off the floor, and return to the floor on the same foot. Step and hop.69
1016491479SlideMove the free foot in a given direction with light contact with the floor and take weight. Same as Glide. Step and leap.70
1016491480Stretch ReflexThe elongation of the body, generally one side more than the other. Stretch is accomplished by raising one hip and rib cage without collapsing the other side. The shoulder on the stretched side rises, but only as a consequence of stretch. One does not "lift" the shoulder. Right stretch produces left sway.71
1016491481SwingingIn general, swing, or body swing, is any free movement around a fixed point. We can distinguish between "pendular swing" when the fixed point is at the top of the movement and "metronomic swing" when the fixed point is at the bottom.72
1016491482TempoThe speed at which music is played; the number of measures or bars per minute. Sometimes given as beats per minute.73
1016491483TransitionIn a figure, an extra step or one fewer steps by the man or woman. A couple transitions from opposite footwork to same footwork or from same to opposite.74
1016491484Triple RhythmThe portion of the standard timing of a rhythm consisting of three steps taken over two beats of music as is characteristic of Jive, Cha Cha, and other rhythms. Notice that the timing of these three steps is not even. It divides one beat evenly, leaving the second beat undivided for a time value of 1/8, 1/8, 1/4 (in 4/4 time). The "a" is a shorter interval, and the time value of a triple is 3/16, 1/16, 1/4.75
1016491485TurnsStep and change your facing direction, specifically the direction in which your feet are pointing.76
1016491486WalkSometimes, a step taken on two beats of music; a slow. Transfer of weight from 1 foot to the other. Maintaining contact with the floor.77
1016491487WaltzOne of the Smooth Rhythms. Open, open, open, close. 3/478
1033114496AbductionThe movement of a limb or other part away from the midline of the body, or from another part.79
1033114497AccentStress, emphasis.80
1033114498AdductionMove a limb or other part of the body toward the midline of the body or toward another part.81
1033114499AsymmetricalHaving parts that fail to correspond to one another in shape, size, or arrangement; lacking symmetry.82
1033114500Axial MovementFlexion, extension, rotation.83
1033114501Agnes De Mile 1To dance is to be out of yourself, larger, more powerful, more beautiful. This is power, it is glory on earth it is yours for the taking.84
1033114502Melissa HaydenLearning to walk set you free - learning to dance gives you the greatest freedom of all: to express with your whole self, the person you are.85
1033114503Ted Shawn 1Dance is the only art in which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made.86
1033114504Anges De Mile 2Many other dancers have kicked higher, balanced longer or turned faster, these are poor substitutes for passion.87
1033114505Ted Shawn 2It is the body and the body alone that is the instrument we play.88
1033114506Martha GrahamMovement never lies. Nothing is more revealing than movement. Was an American modern dancer and choreographer whose influence on dance has been compared with the influence Picasso, alcoholic, choreographed dance till her old age, developed contraction.89
1033114507BrushesThe act and sound of the foot pointed on the floor. Either tendus, dégagés, or bevel.90
1033114508BevelThe foot, although pointed, will go 'off track' a bit from the straight line of the leg. Some consider it not 'pure' technique, indeed because it's not a straight line from hip to toe. Some like it because in arabesque, the line tends to go upwards into the sky (which looks like the leg is higher than it actually is).91
1033114509Centre Of GravityThe core that anchors your balance.92
1033114510Cervical SpineThe top seventh vertebra of your spine. The cervical spine is the area of the vertebral column commonly referred to as the neck.93
1033114511CircumductionThe full of rotation, of arms. A circular motion of a limb.94
1033114512CollapseTo fall down to the floor, locomotor movement.95
1033114513Dance WalkTo walk with your toes first.96
1033114514Demi BrasDemi Seconde but with palms forward.97
1033114515Demi PointeSimilar to rise, when you go onto the balls of your feet.98
1033114516DimensionMeasurement of the space, taken up by the movement.99
1033114517DirectionsMovement towards a destination.100
1033114518Direct PathA direct line of motion to dance too.101
1033114519DissonanceLacking harmony, unpleasantness, movement that does not flow or resolve.102
1033114520DorsiflexionFlexing of the foot, or contraction of the foot.103
1033114521Duple TimeA metric pulse that is divided into even sections.104
1033114522DynamicsMovement quality, each movement has a dynamic, large or small.105
1033114523External ObliqueThe middle sides of the torso.106
1033114524FlexionContraction of the muscles.107
1033114525En basDancer's lower arms, brava.108
1033114526En hautDancer's up in the air arms, fifth or fourth position.109
1033114527Frog PositionThe butterfly position, toes touching, sitting down, can do it front or on stomach.110
1033114528GallopStep and leap, also a lively dance to duple metre. Step and leap.111
1033114529GlutealsThe largest and most superficial of the three gluteal muscles. It makes up a large portion of the shape and appearance of the buttocks.112
1033114530Grand PlieBig bending of the knees to the floor and rising, either in first position or third.113
1033114531Hesitate or RubatoThe temporary disregarding of strict tempo to allow an expressive quickening or slackening, usually without altering the overall pace.114
1033114532Indirect PathRandom or improvised dance movements that follow a path and destination.115
1033114533Internal ObliqueThe inner cross of the torso, the bottom part of the torso. The core, your abdomen.116
1033114534Latissimus DorsiThe inner muscles near your armpits, the wings, and inner back muscles.117
1033114535LevelsLow, medium, high.118
1033114536Locomotor MovementMovement in which the body travels across space. Even, rhythm.119
1033114537Long SittingWhen the legs are extended in front, and your back up straight.120
1033114538Lumbar SpineThe lower back, where the spine curves inward toward the abdomen.121
1033114539LyricalMusical, smooth, flowing, and imaginative movement.122
1033114540Medial RotationRotation towards the center of the body.123
1033114541MeterThe rhythm of a piece, determined by the number and length of feet in a line.124
1033114542Movement PatternThe pattern or sequence of your dance.125
1033114543Note ValuesIndicates the relative duration of a note in music.126
1033114544OrganicIsa Dora Duncan's movement, natural movement, abstract.127
1033114545Over CurveThe upper curve of a swing.128
1033114546PasseéUsed as a transitional step and retierè.129
1033114547PatellaThe knee cap and knee pan.130
1033114548PatternRepeated design and sequence in dance.131
1033114549Pectoralis MajorThe chest muscle that is connected to the shoulder which allows you to rotate your arms.132
1033114550PercussivePunctuated movement, stop, and start movement.133
1033114551PlacementThe placement of your body in a dance or the preparation of dance. Parallel or turned out. Parallel hips placed over the feet. Placement will differ due to the positioning.134
1033114552Planes Of ActionThe surface on where you dance or move you move your body.135
1033114553Plantar FlexionThe act of pointing your toes.136
1033114554PrancePointed legs in front attitude, changing from one foot to the other.137
1033114555Primary AccentAccent on the first beat.138
1033114556PronationInward rotation of the ankles.139
1033114557Quadriceps FermorisA large muscle group that includes the four prevailing muscles on the front of the thigh.140
1033114558SupinationOutward rotation of the ankles.141
1033114559Quality Of MovementThe excellence of movement that requires emotion and technique.142
1033114560QualityGeneral excellence of standard or level.143
1033114561RangeRelated to dimension, upper and lower movements.144
1033114562Rectus AbdominisThe middle section of your inner abs, the v of your torso.145
1033114563Rhythmic PatternMusical, the pulse of music to dance t0. The use of drums to keep the pulse of movement.146
1033114564RotationThe act of turning.147
1033114565Rump SprungOver extension or flexibility.148
1033114566SartoriusThe longest muscle in the human body, is a long thin muscle that runs down the length of the thigh and connects to the hip bone.149
1033114567ScauplaThe shoulder blade.150
1033114568Secondary AccentAccent on the second strongest beat.151
1033114569Sequential RelaxationRelax from the ground up, rag doll position.152
1033114570Shin SplintsImpact injury, inflammation of the shins and knees.153
1033114571SicklePointed toes taken too far, sometimes used in modern dance for emotion and contraction.154
1033114572Sits BonesBones in the bottom of your pelvis.155
1033114573Step PatternThe dance steps that make up a sequence or pattern.156
1033114574SternumBreast bone, a flat bone that lies in the middle front part of the rib cage.157
1033114575Straddle PositionSeated with your legs straight apart.158
1033114576StylizationAdding style, facial expression, or emotions to your dancing.159
1033114577StyleYour manner of dancing, ballet, modern, etc.160
1033114578Supporting LegStationary leg, by the bar.161
1033114579SuspendedMoment before collapse, to hold a position at an angle.162
1033114580SustainControlled or paused movement, to hold a dance movement.163
1033114581SymmetricalMade up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis.164
1033114582TensionStretch tight, offering resistant, tense, muscle movement.165
1033114583Temps LevéA hop, in ballet terms.166
1033114584Time SignatureWhen music is divided into beats per measure.167
1033114586Thoracic SpineThe middle segment of the vertebral column, between the cervical vertebrae and the lumbar vertebrae.168
1033114587Under CurveBottom half of a swing.169
1033114588Underlyining BeatThe underlying pulse of a dance or music.170
1033114589VertabraA single piece of the spine.171
1033114590VibratoryShaking or trembling a part of the body for dance purposes.172
1033114591Working LegThe leg that is moving opposite to the supporting leg.173
1033303791AxisAn imaginary line about which a body rotates.174
1033348798HamstringsA group of tendons contracted by three posterior thigh muscles.175
1033393374Floor PatternLocomotor movements that make a pathway on the floor.176
1033393375FocusHard and soft dancing, to concentrate on particular movements with the use of dynamics.177
1033393376Fourth Position OpenThe heels are aligned and spread apart.178
1033393377Half ToeA ballet jump, similar to a relevé.179
1033401872JumpTransfer of weight from 2 feet to 2 feet.180
1033407079PrimarySwing: Fluid, circular, pivot, momentum. Sustain: Pause, continuous time, enduring, flow. Percussive: Isolated, levels, bold, beat.181
1033407080SecondaryCollapse: Release, heavy, fall, crumple. Suspend: Hold, positional strength, lift, seize. Vibratory: Rhythm, tremble, pulse, anger.182
1033427192Loie FullerA pioneer of both modern dance and theatrical lighting techniques. The Serpentine Dance.183
1033427193Isaclora DuncanPhilosophy of dance moved away from rigid ballet technique and towards what she perceived as natural movement. To restore dance to a high art form instead of entertainment, she sought the connection between emotions and movement. (May 27, 1877 - September 14, 1927) was an American dancer.184
1033427194Ruth St. DenisWas a modern dance pioneer, introducing eastern ideas into the art. She was the co-founder of the American Denishawn School of Dance and the teacher of several notable performers.185
1033427195Ted ShawnOne of the first notable male pioneers of American modern dance, he is also responsible for the creation of the well known all-male company Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers.186
1033427196Doris HumphreyWas a dancer and choreographer of the early twentieth century, the second generation modern dance pioneers who followed their forerunners, in exploring the use of breath and developing techniques still taught today.187
1033427197Merce CunninghamAs an American dancer and choreographer who was at the forefront of the American avant-garde for more than 50 years. Throughout much of his life, Cunningham was considered one of the greatest creative forces in American dance.188
1033427198Alvin AileyWas an African-American choreographer and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. Ailey is credited with popularizing modern dance and revolutionizing African-American participation in 20th century concert dance.189
1033427199Twyla TharpSince graduating from Barnard College in 1963, Ms. Tharp has choreographed more than one hundred sixty works: one hundred twenty-nine dances, twelve television specials, six Hollywood movies, four full-length ballets, four Broadway shows and two figure skating routines. Her dances are known for creativity, wit and technical precision coupled with a streetwise nonchalance.190

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