(Grades 2-4) Classical Positions

Question 1

What is First position of the feet?

Answer 1

Standing with the heels touching and toes apart in turn-out

Question 2

What is Second position of the feet?

Answer 2

Standing with the feet hip-width apart with turn-out

Question 3

What is Bras Bas position?

Answer 3

• The arms are held low in a circular shape slightly in front of the legs.
• A slight gap in between the hands and space under the armpits.
• Palms are facing up towards the face.

Question 4

What is First position of the arms?

Answer 4

• A circular shape of the arms held at belly button height in front of the body.
• Elbows are lifted to create a smooth diagonal curve from the shoulders to the hands.
• Palms face inwards to the body.

Question 5

What does “Demi-Pointe” mean?

Answer 5

Standing on a rise with the heels lifted off the floor

Question 6

What is an arabesque? (Grade 3/4 Bonus: Can you name & explain the different arabesque positions?)

Answer 6

A position or balance on one leg with the other extended behind the body
Bonus: 1st arabesque has the same arm forward as front leg high at eyeline, 2nd arabesque has the same arm forward as back leg high at shoulder height, 3rd arabesque is a combination of both arms

Question 7

What is Second position of the arms?

Answer 7

• Arms are extended to the side just below shoulder height
• Elbows are lifted to create a smooth diagonal curve from the shoulders to the hands
• The elbows face backwards and the palms face forwards

Question 8

What is a dégagé devant?

Answer 8

An extension of one leg in front of the body with two straight legs. The extended leg should be pointed.
Remember: No weight on a pointed foot!

Question 9

What is a dégagé derrière?

Answer 9

An extension of one leg behind the body with two straight legs. The extended leg should be pointed.
Remember: No weight on a pointed foot!

Question 10

What is Third position of the feet?

Answer 10

Standing as though in 1st position but with one foot slid slightly in front of the other. Heel of the front foot covers the arch of the back foot or meets the elastic of the ballet shoe of the back foot

Question 11

What is Third position of the arms?

Answer 11

One arm is placed in front of the body in 1st position whilst the other opens to 2nd position

Question 12

Does Third position always have the same arm or foot in front?

Answer 12

No. It can have either arm or foot in front.

Question 13

What is the name of the position where both feet are together with the toes of both feet facing forwards, or in the same direction?

Answer 13

Parallel

Question 14

What is the name of the position where both arms are in a circular shape (much like that of First position) but above the head framing the face and the palms facing downwards?

Answer 14

5th Position

Question 15

What is the name of the position where the arms act as though presenting a gift or giving something to the audience?

Answer 15

Demi-bras

Question 16

What is Fourth position of the arms?

Answer 16

One arm is placed in 2nd position whilst the other is in 5th above the head

Question 17

What is the difference between Fourth position and Fourth Crossed position?

Answer 17

The lower arm is in 2nd in regular 4th, but is in 1st in the 4th Crossed position. The high arm remains in 5th in both positions.

Question 18

Fourth position of the feet can be performed with either foot in front. True or False?

Answer 18

True

Question 19

What does Fourth position of the feet look like?

Answer 19

The feet stand one foot in front of the other, about one foot’s length apart, opposite 3rd or 4th position.

Question 20

What is the name of the position when the arms are placed over the top of your tutu in a slightly rounded low-V shape?

Answer 20

Demi-second

Question 21

What is the name of the position of the arms when they are in a high-V shape with the palms facing outwards as though you are flying like a bird?

Answer 21

Open 5th

Question 22

What positions of the arms can be done on opposite sides?

Answer 22

Third
Fourth
Fourth Crossed
1st, 2nd, 3rd Arabesques

Question 23

What positions of the feet can be done on opposite sides?

Answer 23

Third

Fourth