Dance Lessons Dance Terminology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'allegro' mean in a dance context?
- Slow and sustained movements
- Fast, lively movements (Correct answer)
- Jumping sequences
- Turning combinations
Correct answer: Fast, lively movements
Allegro refers to fast, lively movements and is often used to describe quick footwork or energetic sequences in dance.
Question 2: In ballet, what is a 'pas de chat'?
- A walk across the stage
- A cat-like jumping step where both feet draw up (Correct answer)
- A sliding step forward
- A spinning turn on one leg
Correct answer: A cat-like jumping step where both feet draw up
Pas de chat, meaning 'step of the cat,' is a jump where each foot is drawn up successively to the knee, resembling a cat's leap.
Question 3: What is 'syncopation' in dance music and choreography?
- Moving on the main beats
- Accenting off-beats or between beats (Correct answer)
- Repeating the same movement twice
- Dancing in complete silence
Correct answer: Accenting off-beats or between beats
Syncopation involves accenting the off-beats or weak beats, creating a rhythmic surprise that dancers can express through movement.
Question 4: What does 'spot' mean when executing a pirouette?
- Choosing a position on the floor to stand
- Fixing the eyes on one point to prevent dizziness while turning (Correct answer)
- Marking your place in a group formation
- The exact starting position of the feet
Correct answer: Fixing the eyes on one point to prevent dizziness while turning
Spotting is the technique of fixing the eyes on a single point and snapping the head around quickly to return to that point during a turn.
Question 5: In jazz dance, what is a 'fan kick'?
- A low kick to the side
- A large sweeping kick that arcs in a semicircle (Correct answer)
- A double kick with alternating feet
- A kick performed while jumping
Correct answer: A large sweeping kick that arcs in a semicircle
A fan kick is a large, sweeping kick where the working leg draws a wide semicircular arc through the air.
Question 6: What is the term for the slight bending of the knees used as a preparatory action before a jump in ballet?
- Relevé
- Plié (Correct answer)
- Fondu
- Dégagé
Correct answer: Plié
A plié (bend) is used before and after jumps to absorb impact and generate the spring needed for elevation.
Question 7: What does 'floor work' refer to in modern or contemporary dance?
- Choreography performed at ground level, rolling or sliding on the floor (Correct answer)
- Steps performed on a sprung floor
- Footwork patterns in tap dance
- The foundation technique of any dance style
Correct answer: Choreography performed at ground level, rolling or sliding on the floor
Floor work encompasses movements performed at ground level, including rolling, sliding, and other techniques that use the floor as a partner.
Dance Lessons Dance Terminology 2
What does the term 'allegro' mean in a dance context?