Gavotte - Baroque Dance

Gavotte

Learn Baroque dance style
Practice elegant, moderate tempo
Master phrase structure with upbeat

About This Song

Origin: Traditional Baroque dance form

Difficulty: Intermediate

Notes Used: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C (high), D (high)

Time Signature: 4/4

Key: D Major

Fingering Review

Full Song

A elegant Baroque dance in moderate tempo. Gavottes typically begin with a two-quarter-note upbeat.

Practice Tips

Gavotte style: A moderate, elegant French dance - not too fast, with clear phrasing
Upbeat start: Gavottes begin with a two-quarter-note pickup
Baroque articulation: Mix legato and detached notes for authentic style
Dance quality: Keep the rhythm steady and dance-like

Practice Exercises

Practice the characteristic two-note upbeat and phrase.

Master the typical gavotte phrase endings.

Practice the smooth ascending passage.

Practice descending from high D.

Play the full gavotte with elegant Baroque style.

Historical Context

The gavotte is a French Baroque dance that became popular in the court of Louis XIV and spread throughout Europe. It's characterized by a moderate tempo in 4/4 time, beginning with a two-quarter-note upbeat. The dance was originally a folk dance from the Gavot region of France before being adopted by the aristocracy. Composers like Bach, Handel, and Rameau wrote many gavottes as part of dance suites. The gavotte is dignified and elegant, with clear phrase structures and a pleasant, flowing character. It remains a staple of Baroque recorder repertoire.

Performance Goal: Play with elegant Baroque style. The tempo should be moderate and steady, the articulation clear, and the phrasing graceful. Capture the dignified character of a French court dance.

Next Steps

Once you can play this confidently, try:

Adding Baroque ornaments like trills on cadences
Experimenting with different articulation patterns
Learning "Bourrée" for another Baroque dance style