Voltatonda

In 15th Century Italian Dance a voltatonda is a full turn in place. A voltatonda left is a turn over the left shoulder, and a voltatonda right is a turn over the right shoulder. It usually lasts two tempi, or the time taken to do two doppi.

It is often described as being made up of steps that last in total two tempi. These are usually made up of two one tempo step patterns. The three main step patterns are one doppio, two sempi and one ripresa. In effect this means a voltatonda may be performed as one doppio and one ripresa turning in a full circle, or two sempi and a ripresa, or two doppi, or any of a number of combinations. A voltatonda consisting of two sempi and a ripresa is called a volta del gioioso.

A half turn is called a mezavolta.