2 3 Fun Friday Gargouillade | Ballet Webb

Friday, August 14, 2015

Fun Friday Gargouillade


Fun Friday Gargouillade

On the short list of ballet steps that are seldom used we find gargouillade. Never heard of it? I’m not surprised. It isn’t a step for beginners and even advanced dancers find this step challenging.

A gargouillade is a jump with two double rond de jambes. The first double rond de jambe is done (usually) en dehors with one leg, then immediately followed by a double rond de jambe en dedans by the other leg. It takes a very accomplished dancer to perform this step and not have it look, well, like a couple of leg spasms.

However, when gargouillade is done to perfection, each rond de jambe is clearly shown and the effect is riveting.

Balanchine often used gargouillade in his choreography and that is where this step is most often seen today.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #15ee:  
A gargouillade is a step involving two double rond de jambes.

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