Glossary of Steps

This, like the cheat sheets, is designed as a memory aid.

If this does not help, there are a wide variety of other 15th Century, Italian Dance Step Glossaries on the net.

Continenze

A weight change from one foot to the other. The feet should be placed side by side, but with a small space between them.

This is essentially a mini-reprise.

Doppio

Otherwise known as a double. Do not close the feet at the end of the double, but prepare for the next step.
Usually takes 4 beats in Italian dance, but can take 6 beats in the slower bassedanze tempo.

Mezevolta

A quick turn through 180 degrees.

It can be done by:
- crossing one foot over and infront of the other and swivelling on the balls of the feet,
- dropping one foot slighly behind the other and swivelling on the balls of the feet
- turning one foot out by 90 degrees, bringing the other around to meet itwith a slight swivel on the balls of the feet
- or simply by turning around in any simple and elegant manner which suits.

Movimento

Either a feint or shuffling of the feet depending on the interpretation.

Feint option: is a small, sharp rise onto the toes (as if to move) and a slow lowering onto the flat again
Shuffle option: is a foot pivot where the heels, then the toes and then the heels are moved sideways.

For example in Grazioso: Due to the upcoming doubles, I would recommend the shuffle option in order to gain a little more room.

In the other dances, the choice is up to the dancers. Although it makes sense for dance partners to choose the same style.

Passo (plural Passi)

Best known as a single.
Do not close the feet at the completion of the single, but move naturally into the next step.
Usually takes 2 beats or half a bar of music.

Pause

When one or other dancer is pausing while the other performes by themself, the waiting dancer should watch their partner attentively. If they cannot see their partner, ladies especially, should not look about too much.

Piva (plural Pive)

A double performed at double speed.;

A piva is generally performed in 1 bar of music and on the toes for speed.
Eg: 3 very quick, very small singles and a very small pause. The three steps can be performed quickly enough to be almost running.

For example in Grazioso: the whole piva section (described in singles) is:
L,R,L(pause) R,L,R(pause) L,R,L(change direction) R,L,R (pause) L,R,L(pause) R,L,R(turn to face front)

However, in Petit Vriens: the music is usually so fast that each piva is often changed into a gallop.
Step L, jump from the L onto the R (cutting the right foot under to where the L foot was) and step L again. The next piva is: step R, jump from the R onto the L and step R. Repeat end on end as fits the music.

Reprise

A single sideways in one bar of music. Usually in a pair of Reprise L followed by Reprise R. Occasionally a Reprise R can be found by itself at the end of a step or set of moves, such as a volta tonda, to fill the music.

To complete a Reprise Left: step sideways with the left foot and transfer weight to the left leg. Slowly draw the right leg in over the remaining counts.

Riverenze

Usually in one bar.

Slide one foot back keeping your heel on the ground (particularly if wearing skirt with a hem below ground length). When the heel wants to lift, transfer weight onto that leg and bend it slightly, keeping the front leg straight. (A slight inclination of the upper body or head is appropriate at this time.) Complete the step by transferring your weight forward and closing the feet.

Salterello (plural Salterelli)

A double, augmented with a hop.

The interpretation favoured by the majority of dancers at this ball is to have the hop at the end of the double. 3 singles followed by a hop on one foot while the other foot is taken forward in preparation for the next 3 singles - LRL hopL, RLR hopR etc

Salterello Todesco

Another variation on the basic double.

Interpreted as a "sliding double", where the feet never leave the floor.

Volta Tonda

A turn through 360 degrees.

A volta tonda can be done by performing two mezevolta, on the same foot, immediately after one another

If you are used to any other interpretations of these steps, please feel free to use them.
I would ask you to remember that these are the versions we have been using at practice, and that other variations may confuse the other dances, put you on the wrong foot with respect to your partner or cause you to crash, which is somewhat inelegant. It may be wise to discuss your step preferences with any potential partners prior to taking the floor to dance.

Many of the step interpretations above, particulary the Salterello Todesco, Riverenze, Reprise and Movimento, are thanks to Jennifer Shennan.
The rest have been cobbled together from experience and the descriptions available in Fifteenth-Century Music and Dance (vols 1&2), Joy and Jealousy A Manual of 15th-Century Italian Balli, Del's Dance Book, Rose and Nefr Dance Manual and the Eschewing of Ydlenesse Steps for Dancing booklet.

Helois de Mont St. Michel
for the Carnival Ball
Barony of Southron Gaard

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Continenze	A weight change from one foot to the other. The feet should be placed side by side, but with a small space between them. This is essentially a mini-reprise.
Doppio	Otherwise known as a double. Do not close the feet at the end of the double, but prepare for the next step. Usually takes 4 beats in Italian dance, but can take 6 beats in the slower bassedanze tempo.
Mezevolta	A quick turn through 180 degrees. It can be done by: - crossing one foot over and infront of the other and swivelling on the balls of the feet, - dropping one foot slighly behind the other and swivelling on the balls of the feet - turning one foot out by 90 degrees, bringing the other around to meet itwith a slight swivel on the balls of the feet - or simply by turning around in any simple and elegant manner which suits.
Movimento	Either a feint or shuffling of the feet depending on the interpretation. Feint option: is a small, sharp rise onto the toes (as if to move) and a slow lowering onto the flat again Shuffle option: is a foot pivot where the heels, then the toes and then the heels are moved sideways.	For example in Grazioso: Due to the upcoming doubles, I would recommend the shuffle option in order to gain a little more room. In the other dances, the choice is up to the dancers. Although it makes sense for dance partners to choose the same style.
Passo (plural Passi)	Best known as a single. Do not close the feet at the completion of the single, but move naturally into the next step. Usually takes 2 beats or half a bar of music.
Pause	When one or other dancer is pausing while the other performes by themself, the waiting dancer should watch their partner attentively. If they cannot see their partner, ladies especially, should not look about too much.
Piva (plural Pive)	A double performed at double speed.; A piva is generally performed in 1 bar of music and on the toes for speed. Eg: 3 very quick, very small singles and a very small pause. The three steps can be performed quickly enough to be almost running.	For example in Grazioso: the whole piva section (described in singles) is: L,R,L(pause) R,L,R(pause) L,R,L(change direction) R,L,R (pause) L,R,L(pause) R,L,R(turn to face front) However, in Petit Vriens: the music is usually so fast that each piva is often changed into a gallop. Step L, jump from the L onto the R (cutting the right foot under to where the L foot was) and step L again. The next piva is: step R, jump from the R onto the L and step R. Repeat end on end as fits the music.
Reprise	A single sideways in one bar of music. Usually in a pair of Reprise L followed by Reprise R. Occasionally a Reprise R can be found by itself at the end of a step or set of moves, such as a volta tonda, to fill the music. To complete a Reprise Left: step sideways with the left foot and transfer weight to the left leg. Slowly draw the right leg in over the remaining counts.
Riverenze	Usually in one bar. Slide one foot back keeping your heel on the ground (particularly if wearing skirt with a hem below ground length). When the heel wants to lift, transfer weight onto that leg and bend it slightly, keeping the front leg straight. (A slight inclination of the upper body or head is appropriate at this time.) Complete the step by transferring your weight forward and closing the feet.
Salterello (plural Salterelli)	A double, augmented with a hop. The interpretation favoured by the majority of dancers at this ball is to have the hop at the end of the double. 3 singles followed by a hop on one foot while the other foot is taken forward in preparation for the next 3 singles - LRL hopL, RLR hopR etc
Salterello Todesco	Another variation on the basic double. Interpreted as a "sliding double", where the feet never leave the floor.
Volta Tonda	A turn through 360 degrees. A volta tonda can be done by performing two mezevolta, on the same foot, immediately after one another