RENAISSANCE DANCE STEPS

Note: All of the steps which are described as being done to the left are also done to the right: practice in both directions.

Balzetto A leap up, landing with feet together. Can be done with a brush of the left toe forward for balance, but it is not necessary.

Cadenza A capriole (see below) or leap up, landing with both feet at the same time, one slightly forward of the other. (A change of position of the feet, made at the end of a capriole or other jump.)

Campanella Swing one foot forward, back and forward from the knee while hopping on the other foot – a variation for the galliard (see section on specific dances).

Capriole Leap up, and pass the feet back and forth (or over and under) each other several times rapidly – land lightly on tip-toes, one foot slightly in front of the other.

Cinque passi in Gagliarda Hop on the right foot, while lifting the left in front. Step on the left foot and lift the right back. Lower the right foot, with the right toe at the left heel, horsting the left foot forward. Lower the left foot, while raising the right foot in front. Make a cadenza (see above), landing with the left foot slightly forward.

Continenza Passo puntate (pavan single) to the side. Step with the left four inches to the side, joint the right to the side of the left (or join the heel fo the right to the arch of the left). Then lift and lower both heels. (NO dip! Do NOT lead with the hip or tilt the bum roll!)

Corinth Hop to the left, landing on the left toes. Cut the right foot in under-neath the heel of the left foot. End standing on the right, with the right kicked out slightly in front.

Destici Three ripresa, followed by a trabuchetto.

Doppio Pavan double. Take three steps, join the feet together while ending the knees very slightly; then lift and lower both heels.

Doppio minimo Three small steps.

Finto A seguito ordinario with a direction change on the last step; e.g., step forward on the left tiptoe, forward on the right tiptoe, back on the left foot.

Fioretto Lift left foot, standing on right tiptoe. Swing left foot around to the rear, cutting left toe under right heel and balancing on both toes. Kick right foot forward, lowering the left heel. Repeat in place as indicated by the dance.

Fioretto a piedi pari Hoist the left foot, a little to the side, stamp the left on tiptoe next to the right foot, stamp the right on tiptoe, stamp the left tiptoe again, and hoist the right foot, a little to the side. Continue in this manner.

Groppo Hop left on left tiptoe, crossing the right in back. Hop right on the right tiptoe, crossing the left in back. Hop left again, crossing the right in back. Put the right where the left was, kicking the left forward. Pull the left back, and make a cadenza.

In canon In turn, sequentially.

Meza Riverenza Cross the left foot behind the right foot, bounce on the left toes.

Passo An ordinary walking step (plural, "passi"), with variations as follows:

passi demi brevi -- quick passi presti, change timing to suit music.

p. fianchegiatto -- flanking, forward.

p. grave -- slow walking step, usually takes 2 beats.

p. presto -- quick (double time)

p. puntato – step forward with the left (either straight or an a very slight diagonal), join the right foot to the side of the left foot, and then lift both heels slightly. NO dip; NO bending of the knees.

Ripresa 

(Left) Move left foot four inches to the side (raising both heels). Join right foot to left, and lower the heels.

(Right) Move right foot four inches to the side (raising both heels). Join left foot to right, and lower the heels.

Riverenza A reverance or curtsey. Pull the left foot straight back, bend the knees and incline the body very slightly, rise and join the feet together. Gentlemen remove their hats and hold it against their right thighs during the riverenza. Do not go up on the toes, nor lead with hips – do not twist the body.

riverenza lunga – a long, slow riverenza.

r. minima – a quick riverenza, done as a part of, rather than an introduction to a dance.

Saffice A ripresa sotto piede (a ripresa at the end of which one kicks the left foot forward with the right foot taking its place), followed by a trabuchetto. Should properly be done with at trabuchetto inserted, i.e., "Riprisa ending in a trabuchetto, cut under with that foot, and make another trabuchetto."

Scambiatte Hop diagonally forward on the left tiptoe, bring the right foot underneath the left heel, brushing the ground with the right toe and hopping. land lightly on both feet.

Seguito (Or, seguito ordinario.) Step on the left tiptoe, step on right tiptoe, step with the whole left on the ground, and pause for a beat.

seguito breve – quick seguito ordinario.

s. semidoppio – two passi and a seguito ordinario (as distinguished from a spezzate semidoppio)

Seguito battutto Skim the heel of one foot forward, skim its toe backward, and then stamp it slightly forward of the other foot.

seguito battutto di Canario – as the seguito batutto, but the stamp comes first – this changes the beat emphasis of the step.

Seguiti minuti Quick gliding steps (always done in multiples) with two versions:

Men bend the knees slightly. With feet together, move toes and heels alternately to one side, without moving the hips.

Women bend the knees slightly. Begin with toes together, move one toe and the opposite heel in the sam direction at the same time, ending with heels together, then the other heel and toe, ending with toes together. Repeat as indicated.

Seguiti scorsi In four counts, make eight little steps on tiptoe, running and gliding, without making any noise with the feet.

Spezzate Step on the left foot about three inches in front of the right. Move the right foot on tiptoe to the side on the left. Then stand on the right tiptoe, keeping the left foot flat. Lower both heels.

Spezzate tour (Also known as the spezzate capriole.) Make a spezzate, stepping slightly to the left. As the left foot comes down after the spezzate, push off with the right and jump, making a complete turn around to face front.

Sottopiede Hop to the side with the left foot, lifting the right in back. Place the right where the left has landed, while lifting the left forward.

Trabuchetto Hop with the left foot about four inches to the left, landing on tiptoe, and lift the right foot (keeping it flat) and move its heel toward the left arch. Keep both legs unbent, without touching the right foot to the ground or kicking it behind the left. Then lower the left heel and the right foot.

Triti minuti Three bounces on both tiptoes (usually to the side).

Zopetto Swing the left leg forward, holding it straight. Jumping off the right foot, bring the right leg up to the left, but do NOT touch the feet together. This is usually done 2 or 3 times in rapid succession. Keep both legs straight.

This is a man’s step, and should only be done by those men who have danced for a while and are strong and limber – it is possible to get hurt doing this, so be careful!

Many of these steps are direct translations from Il Ballarino by Fabritio Carosa, published in 1589, translated by Angene Feves.

(This document is derived from materials presented by T. Stacy Hicks for the Guilde of St. George; VRF. Author and Copyright information unavailable; it is presented for non-commercial purposes under the Fair Use provisions of the Copyright Statutes of the United States. Transcribed by Ron Keiloch.)