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 most 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 two strains of music alternate until such time as the musicians decide to stop.

Note that during the second strain the single right is followed by a left foot kick, and the single left by a right foot kick, which works the opposite way from the kick after the double in the first strain. This requires a subtle difference in the transfer of weight between feet: instead of closing with one foot at the end of a double and then springing onto the same foot to kick with the other, you close with one foot at the end of a single and then spring onto the other foot, to kick with the foot that closed.

1st Strain

DL KL KR
DR
Repeat

2nd Strain

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

Music

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