Rond de jambe Glossary of ballet

rond de jambe

(french pronunciation: ​[ʁɔ̃ d(ə) ʒɑ̃b]; meaning leg circle. ) half-circle made pointed foot, fourth front or through second position opposite fourth , returning through first position again repeat, in effect tracing out letter d. starting front going called rond de jambe en dehors while starting , going front called rond de jambe en dedans.

rond de jambe à terre/par terre: ( on ground. ) extended leg pointed toe remains on ground sweep around in semi-circle.
rond de jambe attitude: leg swung around front side , attitude position behind supporting foot goes en pointe. (see attitude.)
rond de jambe en l air: ( in air. ) leg lifted , sustained side (à la seconde), movement being limited below knee. if thigh held @ 90 degrees body, toe draws circle approximately between knee of supporting leg , second position in air. if thigh held lower (e.g. 45 degrees), circle drawn calf of supporting leg. commonly done in singles, doubles, and/or sauté.
grand rond de jambe (en l air): leg extended , sustained @ grand battement height draw semi-circle in air.
demi-grand rond de jambe (en l air): leg extended , sustained off ground while moving fourth devant or derrière second or vice versa, drawing half of full semi-circle.




^ grant, gail. technical manual , dictionary of classical ballet, third revised edition, dover publications, inc., 1982, p. 101.