Basse Danse Mineur

 



Basse danse mineur was a slightly different form of basse danse found in Burgundy (and nowhere else). No great study of basse danse mineur has been made, because nobody really knows what a Pas de Brabant is.

Cornazano equates the Pas de Brabant step of the Burgundian dances with the Saltarello step of the Italian dances. It is also possible that the Pas de Brabant step was done in a similar manner to that of a tourdion. I leave it up to the imagination of the reader -- listen to the music and see what you can fit in. Maybe someone will find out a definitive answer one day.

The other major difference that sets aside basse danse mineur from regular or irregular basse danses is that it never starts with a reverance, just a branle. This may seem like a minor difference -- but it must have been a great difference in the minds of the Burgundians.

 


Esperance de Bourbon

 



This dance appears in Tholouze and Brussels.

 


Pas de Brabant

A

6 Pas de brabant.

Both together



6 Pas de brabant

Repeat


B

6 Pas de brabant

Man only.



6 Pas de brabant

Lady only


C

4 Pas de brabant.

Both together



4 Pas de brabant

Repeat

 


Basse Danse

Br SS DDD SS RRR Br

(Medium, Very Perfect)


SS D SS RRR Br

(Small, Very Perfect)