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One of the main functions of music has always been to accompany dancing. In the Renaissance [Renaissance: A period of European music between the years 1430 and 1600. ] and Baroque [Baroque: A period of European music between the years 1600 and 1750. ] periods well-to-do people were expected to be able to perform the dance-steps at social occasions, and each type of dance gave rise to its own compositional form.
Pavane and Galliard
The Pavane and Galliard were two dances popular in the 16th and 17th Centuries. They were often danced together, with the Galliard following the Pavane.
The Pavane has 4 beats in the bar and is quite slow and stately. Often it is played with this rhythm in the background.
The Galliard (from gay meaning happy) was quicker than the Pavane, with 3 beats in the bar. A typical Galliard rhythm looks like this:
Both dances were usually in two sections, with each section being repeated. Music with two sections like this is in what is called 'binary form'.
Pavanes and Galliards were played by contemporary instruments such as crumhorns, lutes, cornets and sackbutts. Some were played on a solo instrument, such as the harpsichord or the lute. These days, Pavanes and Galliards can both be heard played on modern instruments.
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