Charlotte Branle

The branle Charlotte is found in Orchesography by Thoinot Arbeau. It is one of the mixed branles.

Steps Used

• Double left (DL)
• Double right (DR)
• Single left ('SL)
• Single right ('SR)
• Pied en l'air gauche or kick left (KL)
• Pied en l'air droit or kick right (KR)

Choreography

As with all branles, this dance is performed in a line of people holding hands or, if enough people are present, a circle. It is not necessary for the dancers to be paired into partners.

The verse and chorus alternate until such time as the musicians decide to stop.

Note that during the chorus the single right and single left, which would usually be follwed by a kick right and kick left respectively, in fact follow with the opposite. This requires a subtle difference in the transfer of weight between feet (the foot completing the single merely taps the ground rather than taking the body's weight).

Verse

DL KL KR
DR
Repeat

Chorus

DL KL KR
SR KL KR KL
SL KR KL KR
DR
Repeat

Music

The music to this dance is a little unusual during the chorus, in that some of the kicks in the dance do not coincide with accents in the music.