Talk:Galliard

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what are the musical characteristics of a galliard?

I'm very confused by the phrases saying it is "very definately not a dance to be improvised". From my background of renaisance dance, I'd call this an improvisational dance rather than a coregraphed dance. That is, the general structure and beat of the dance is specified, but the dancer is expected to improvise steps to the music within this. This is in stark contrast to many other dance forms of the era that we have records for where every step is coregraphed, eg the italian ballo's, or the french bransles. Some guidleines for how to compose new improvised steps are given in Arbeau, be also then describes varieties of galliard which break the majority of these guidelines but still remain within hte rules of the dance. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.12.195.130 (talk) 06:35, 22 May 2012 (UTC)

I too would question the statement that the Galliard isn't an improvised dance. Is there any reference supporting this statement? As one example refuting it, from Sutton's translation of Arbeau:

"Capriol: Once I know the separate movements, may I not combine them to my own fancy? Arbeau: You could do so, but you would then have to explain them to good dancers, and it is much better to learn the passages already invented and accepted...."

The "separate movements" referenced are the individual foot motions Arbeau teaches. To me, this quote would indicate that one can certainly improvise, and that like all improvisation, it is made easier (especially for amateurs) by using larger chunks. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.212.186.58 (talk) 20:32, 30 July 2012 (UTC)