Test Your Theory with our Quick Quiz

Test Your Theory with our Quick Quiz

With the sense that things are slowly attempting to get back to some form of normality, we were wondering if any of our wonderful dancers have been putting much time into learning and remembering their theory alongside practising the practical elements of dance?

We thought we might put you to the test by listing some theory questions to test and challenge your memories. See how many of the answers you know and in next weeks blog, we will reveal the answers for you to mark yourselves!

We can’t cover all of the styles of dance, (we would be here for a week) so we have focussed on ballet and tap theory. Don’t be afraid, and yes, you can look up the answers online or in your theory books if you wish to. It’s all learning!

BALLET THEORY QUESTIONS

1. How many positions of the feet are there?
2. What is it important NOT to do when stretching your feet? (specifically with regards to your toes)
3. When leaving the floor for a leap or jump of any kind, and landing what MUST you do?
4. What does Port de Bras mean?
5. In Pas be Bourrée, where do the feet start and finish?
6. What is the difference between a Subresaut and a Changement?
7. In an Arabesque, where is the working leg?
8. What part of the foot remains connected to the floor during a Pirouette?
9. During a Changement, what do you land in each time, before executing another? (specifically with regards to the legs)
10. If you don’t keep your knees in over your toes in any movement, what will happen to your feet?

TAP THEORY QUESTIONS

1. How many sounds are there in a double beat?
2. Name a movement that makes a single beat? (hint: there are a few!)
3. In time steps, what is replaced to turn a single time step into a double time step?
4. What movements make up a 4 beat cramp roll?
5. What do you add to a 3 beat wing to make a 5 beat wing?
6. Count a shuffle hop step
7. Why does a shuffle hop step have those counts?
8. How do you perform a split wing?
9. What is an amalgamation?
10. In a tap step ball change, when do the heels make contact with the floor?

Hopefully, we haven’t started you off with questions that are too tricky and you should know at least some of these without having to look up the answers. It is good to keep your mind active and especially with dance!

The best dancers are those who understand the counts and explanations behind the movements. It allows the movements to make sense beyond their individual action and into a bigger picture. Once you master your theory, you will notice a huge improvement in your physical dance ability and understanding.

Good luck, and answers will be posted next week!!