This is a quick overview of the steps, without much on ornamentation, and is somewhat simplified in places. For detailed descriptions of the steps, and a discussion of the evidence for their performance, see Joy and Jealousy. All reconstructions are by Vivian Stephens (Rosina del Bosco Chiaro).

Some steps are described more than once, as they are done slightly differently depending on whether the music is "in 6" (for 6/8 or 6/4 music), "in 4" (for 4/4 or 2/4 music) or "in 3" for 3/4 music.

The steps are all given for the left foot unless specified otherwise. For steps starting on the right foot, just reverse everything.

Warning: Any dance form can be dangerous. Warming up properly before dancing is always advised, and anyone who has injuries, or is prone to them, should be especially cautious. If the dance surface is less than optimum, such as cement or an uneven surface, this is even more true. If hopping is stressful, hops can be faked with a rise on one foot without taking off from the ground. The turns, particularly fast pivot turns, can be very damaging to knees if there is too much grip between foot and floor (such as rubber soles on cement). Instead of a pivot, the turn can be started early so that it is less abrupt.

Caveat: These aren't the same as Burgundian or 16th-century steps. As well, reconstructions of the steps vary widely. People performing the steps differently can generally still dance together, so it should not be a matter for much concern, but everyone doing dances from this repertoire should be aware that there is no one, right, way of doing them.

Continenza    Timing = half bar.

In 4: 1 = Rise on toes and step slightly to left. 2 = Shift weight to left and lower to flat position.
In 6: 1 = Rise on toes.       2 = Step slightly to left.      3 = Lower to flat position.

Contrapasso     Timing = In 4 takes half bar. In 6 takes 2/3rds of a bar.

In 4: 1 = Step left. and = Step right. 2 = Step left. and = Step right, under left heel.
In 6: 1 = Step left. 2 = Step right. 3 = Step left. 4 = Step right, under left heel.

Doppio     Timing = one bar

In 4: 1 = Step forward on left.       2 = Step forward on right.
         3 = Step forward on left.       4 = None.
In 6: 1 = Step forward on left.      2 = None.      3 = Step forward on right.
        4 = Step forward on left.      5 = None.      6 = None.

Hey     Timing varies, depending on the steps used. A figure, not a step sequence. The name is not Italian, but is borrowed from English Country Dancing terminology.

Three people weave around each other, each doing a figure-eight pattern, ending where they started. (Similar moves are done with more than three people, or with only some of the dancers weaving around other, stationary, dancers.)

Meza Ripresa     Timing = half bar or whole bar. (A half ripresa.)

In 4: 1 = Step sideways on left.                   2 = None.
        3 = Put right toes under left heel.         4 = None.
In 6: 1 = Step sideways on left.              2 = None.     3 = None.
        4 = Put right toes under left heel.   5 = None.     6 = None.
In 3: 1 = Step sideways on left.              2 = None.     3 = Put right toes under left heel.

Mezavolta     Timing = varies. A half-turn, done in a number of different ways.

If "Mezavolta" is followed by other steps in brackets, use those steps to do a half-turn
It is otherwise a one-beat pivot turn added to the end of another step. This will be indicated by using "ending with". The foot given is the foot on which the pivot takes place, and the direction of turn. (I.e. a Mezavolta Right is done pivoting on the right foot, and turning to the right, or clockwise.) For example:
    Doppio Right ending with Mezavolta Right means:
        In 4: 1 = Step right.       2 = Step left.
                3 = Step right.       4 = Pivot on right foot, 180 degrees, clockwise.

A saltarello tedesco ending in a mezavolta has a pivot turn after the very last step (or with the last step, as there is very little time). For example:
    Saltarello Tedesco Left ending with Mezavolta Left means:
        In 4: 1 = Step left.  2 = Step right.
                3 = Step left.  4 = Step right sideways, then put left toes under right heel, and pivot
          counterclockwise on left foot. (Or turn while stepping on left foot.)

A saltarello ending with a mezavolta has the turn done during the hop. For example:
    Saltarello Left ending with Mezavolta Left means:
        In 6: 1 = Step left. 2 = None. 3 = Step right.
                4 = Step left. 5 = None. 6 = Turn 180 degrees counterclockwise, with a hop on left.

Movimento     Timing = half bar (usually)

Rise on toes, directing attention at partner (or appropriate person in dance), then return to flat position, with weight equally on both feet.

Also used in places where the manuscripts refer to a scosso or scossetto.

Piva     Timing = one bar. (This step is like a doppio, but done faster.)

In 4: 1 = Step forward on left.  2 = Step on right, beside left foot or under left heel.
        3 = Step forward on left.  4 = None.

In 6: 1 = Step forward on left. 2 = None. 3 = Step on right, beside (or under) left foot.
        4 = Step forward on left. 5 = None. 6 = None.

In 3: 1 = Step forward on left.  2 = Step on right, beside (or under) left foot.
        3 = Step forward on left.

Passitino     Timing = half bar. A small, unornamented, sempio.

Take a small step at the beginning of each half bar.

Reverenza Timing = one bar (usually).

Move left foot back and kneel, part way down, on left knee, keeping the upper body straight.

Ripresa Timing = one bar.

In 4: 1 = Step sideways on left.              2 = Put right foot under left heel.
        3 = Step sideways again on left.     4 = None.
In 6: 1 = Step sideways on left.          2 = None.     3 = Put right foot under left heel.
        4 = Step sideways again on left. 5 = None.     6 = None.

Ripresa Portugalesa

This is done as a normal ripresa except that it is done on a diagonal instead of straight sideways.

(Meza Ripresa, see above)

Saltarello     Timing = one bar

In 4: 1 = Step forward on left.      2 = Step forward on right.
        3 = Step forward on left.      4 = Hop on left.  (End standing on left foot.)
In 6: 1 = Step forward on left.  2 = None.  3 = Step forward on right.
        4 = Step forward on left.  5 = None.  6 = Hop on left.  (End on left foot)
In 3: 1 = Step forward on left.    2 = Step forward on right.    3 = step forward on left and hop.

Saltarello Tedesco     Timing = one bar, always in 4 in these dances. Depending on the music, the pattern of the steps may be either of the following:

In 4: 1 = Step left. 2 = Step right.
        3 = Step left.   And = Step right sideways. 4 = Put left toes under right heel.

In 4: 1 = Step left. 2 = Step right.
        3 = Step left. 4 = Step right sideways.   And = Put left toes under right heel.

Sempio     Timing = half bar

In 4: 1 = Step forward on left.           2 = None.
In 6: 1 = Step forward on left.      2 = None.     3 = None.

Volta del Gioioso      Timing = two bars, always in 6. (Always starts on Right foot.) (See also Voltacia below)
Turn around in a little counterclockwise circle, using Sempio Right, Sempio Left ending in a Mezavolta Left, and Ripresa Right, as follows:

1st Bar: 1 = Step on right, making a quarter turn counterclockwise.    2-3 = None.
             4 = Step on left, in another quarter turn.        5 = None.
                                                 6 = Pivot on the left foot a half-circle counterclockwise.
2nd Bar: 1 = Step sideways on right.             2 = None.    3 = Put left foot under right heel.
              4 = Step sideways again on right.    5-6 = None.

Note: this step is often not referred to by this name in the manuscripts, but most occurrences of a turn of two sempii followed by a ripresa have been replaced in my reconstructions by a volta del gioioso, or by the voltacia, below.

Voltacia      Timing = three bars, always in 6. (Always starts on Left foot.) Note: this is a made up term, not a period one.
Ripresa Left, Voltatonda (counterclockwise circle, using Sempio Right, Sempio Left) ending in a Mezavolta Left, and Ripresa Right.
(The voltacia basically consists of a ripresa left followed by a volta del gioioso. Normally a volta del gioioso is done in a little circle, beginning and ending in the same spot - the two sempi move one to the left, and the ripresa back to the right. The voltacia should also bring one back to the starting place, so move left with the ripresa left, turn on the spot with the two sempi, move right with the ripresa right.)

1st Bar: 1 = Step sideways on left.             2 = None.    3 = Put right foot under left heel.
             4 = Step sideways again on left.    5-6 = None.
2nd Bar: 1 = Step on right, making a quarter turn counterclockwise on the spot.     2-3 = None.
             4 = Step on left, in another quarter turn on the spot.        5 = None.
                                                 6 = Pivot on the left foot a half-circle counterclockwise.
3rd Bar: 1 = Step sideways on right.             2 = None.    3 = Put left foot under right heel.
              4 = Step sideways again on right.    5-6 = None.

This is a very common sequence of steps, found I believe only in the bassadanze of Guglielmo (but I lack my sources as I write this, so am working from memory). He does use the step a lot, especially at the end of bassadanze. He ends all of them, if memory serves me correctly, with either the voltacia or two riprese, probably followed by a reverenza.

Voltatonda      Timing = varies (The Volta del Gioioso, above, is a type of Volta Tonda)

Turn completely around in a little circle, using the steps and direction given in brackets afterward.

1. Step forward on left, bringing left side of body slightly forward.
2. Rise slightly.
3. Step forward on right, rising slightly more.
4. Step forward on left, rising slightly more.
5. No step (wait for next beat).
6. Lower to flat position, with body even.

Last modified: Jun 29, 2008

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