Modern Dance Terminology

Question 1

A music term used for slow, sustained movements.

Answer 1

Adagio

Question 2

Rapid tempo movements, often includes jumping steps. Petit _______
includes smaller jumping steps. Grand _______ includes large expansive
jumps such as grand jeté.

Answer 2

Allegro

Question 3

The gesture leg is extended behind the dancer’s body.

Answer 3

Arabesque

Question 4

To assemble or place (the feet) together in the air (usually in fifth
position) during a jump.

Answer 4

Assemblé

Question 5

The knee is bent in front, to the side, or behind the dancer and the foot is
pointed.

Answer 5

Attitude

Question 6

A rolling movement through the body.

Answer 6

Body roll

Question 7

“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.

Answer 7

Chaînés

Question 8

“Chasing one foot with the other”. The leading foot slides forward into fourth (or side-ward into second), then with a spring off the floor, the stance limb draws up to it in the air, and the leading foot opens to land in fourth (or
second). Used as a traveling or transition step.

Answer 8

Chassé

Question 9

With back on the floor, chest lifts off the floor.

Answer 9

Chest lift

Question 10

“To cut”. A small intermediary step, used as a link between steps, such as jeté, pas de bourré, etc., using the cou-de- pied position.

Answer 10

Coupé

Question 11

Balance on the coccyx, both knees bent with lower legs parallel to ceiling and feet pointed, torso may tilt slightly backward, arms are parallel with lower legs. [Horton]

Answer 11

Coccyx balance

Question 12

Tightening the abdominals, rounding the pelvis, and forming a “C” with the torso so that the shoulders are over the pelvis. [Graham]

Answer 12

Contraction

Question 13

“To disengage”. Sharp brushes of the pointed foot to develop speed and
precision of the feet and legs.

Answer 13

Dégagé

Question 14

Half. As in demi-plié.

Answer 14

Demi

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Dèveloppé

Question 16

A high straight leg kick in which the gesture leg makes a swooping circular arc across the front of the body.

Answer 16

Fan kick

Question 17

Position in which the legs are in parallel, the back is kept flat, parallel to the floor, with the torso hinged at the hips. [Horton]

Answer 17

Flat back

Question 18

Weight-bearing position of the foot in which the heel is lifted with extreme metatarsal dorsiflexion.

Answer 18

Forced arch

Question 19

A large, swift leg “kick” with the knee extended and foot pointed or flexed. Performed to the front, side, or back and from first, fifth, or the
point tendu.

Answer 19

Grand battement

Question 20

A modern dance technique developed by Martha Graham, based on “contraction and release” as the motivation of all movement. Includes term such as spiral, tilt, and pitch turn.

Answer 20

Graham technique

Question 21

Legs are in parallel, pelvis is pressed diagonally forward, torso tilted diagonally backward, knees are bent and approximately 3” off the floor, heels are raised to 1/4” relevé. [Horton]

Answer 21

Hinge

Question 22

A modern dance technique by Lester Horton. Includes terms such as flat back, primitive squat, T, table, and stag.

Answer 22

Horton technique

Question 23

A modern dance technique based on the concept of “fall and recovery”, developed by Doris Humphrey. A predecessor and mentor to José Limón of Limón technique.

Answer 23

Humphrey technique

Question 24

Moving one part of the body, such as the head, shoulder, ribs, or hips, while the rest are immobile.

Answer 24

Isolations

Question 25

A “throwing step” where a leaping jump is executed from one foot to the other.
The forward leg battements to the front, and the other leg follows in arabesque. (May also be executed to the side).

Answer 25

Jeté

Question 26

A side stretch of the torso, with legs in 2nd position. [Horton]

Answer 26

Lateral

Question 27

A large, open fourth position in which one knee is bent (usually the front or
side), and the other is straight.

Answer 27

Lunge

Question 28

A modern dance technique developed by Jose Limón, which built on the concepts of Doris Humphrey and is based on the “fall, recovery,
and rebound”.

Answer 28

Limón technique

Question 29

Similar in shape to the retiré: the hip is abducted and externally rotated, the
knee is bent, the foot is pointed, and the toe touches the knee of the stance
limb. However, the _______ is a transitional movement as the foot passes on its
way to another position (such as dèveloppé).

Answer 29

Passé

Question 30

A basic linking step which permits a change from one fifth position to another.

Answer 30

Pas de bourreé

Question 31

A bend of the knees while the torso is held upright. The action relies on varying degrees of hip and knee flexion.

Answer 31

Plié

Question 32

Carriage of the arms. The codified arm positions which provide strength and balance to the trunk, and may also serve as gesture or
enhancement of focus.

Answer 32

Port-de-bras

Question 33

A slow pivot of the body while standing on one leg.

Answer 33

Promenade

Question 33

Legs are in parallel, torso is straight, knees are fully bent, with heels remaining on the floor in a squat. [Horton]

Answer 33

Primitive squat

Question 34

A relaxing or arching movement.

Answer 34

Release

Question 35

A rise or spring onto the toes (demi- or full pointe) from plié.

Answer 35

Relevé

Question 36

A unilateral leg action in which the gesture leg is circled from front to back of the dancer’s body, or vice versa. May be performed on the ground (a terre) or in the air (en l’aire).

Answer 36

Ronde de jambe

Question 37

Rotation of the torso around the pelvis. [Graham]

Answer 37

Spiral

Question 38

Leap in which the forward leg is in parallel passé and the backward leg is in
attitude turned out. [Horton]

Answer 38

Stag

Question 39

A “stretched” action of the gesturing limb from a stance position with flat
foot to a pointed foot, with the toes keeping contact with the floor.

Answer 39

Tendu