The term "minuet" comes from the French words menu (small) and pas (step). This is a slightly modified form of the popular round dance of the province of Poitou. The dance reached its greatest popularity when, under Louis XIV, it began to be performed at the royal court.
Instruction manual
1
In France, in the XVII-XVIII centuries, special attention was paid to the costume. Camisole, stockings tied with ribbons, fluffy skirts on frames - all these are attributes of that time. After all, they convey the atmosphere of the dance, giving the movements grace. Today, the minuet belongs to historical dances, but to this day women prefer ball gowns, and men prefer tailcoats.
2
As the name implies, the basis of the minuet is small steps. The dance has a specific musical size: 3/4 or 6/8, which is reflected in the accompaniment. Louis Boshan - Louis XIV dance teacher offered him a figure in the form of the letter "S". Dancers and choreographers of that time also described figures in the form of numbers 2, 8. In their works, the figure in the form of the letter Z later became the most popular. It is still performed today.
3
The minuet begins with one pair, or a row of pairs is immediately lined up. As a rule, their even number is 2 or 4. This is the main drawing of the dance, which must be determined in advance. Movement in a pair begins with a minuet bow. First, men do it, then women curtsy.
4
If a man’s costume is complemented by a hat, it must be removed during the curtsy, and during the dance to shift from hand to hand when making turns. The hand in which the man holds the hat should be bent at the elbow and positioned directly behind his back. Then the minuet continues with movements in the form of the most popular dance figure in the form of the letter Z.
5
Partners take 3 steps forward with the right foot, moving in a row. Then they turn over the left shoulder. They give each other the opposite hand. 3 steps are performed in the opposite direction. Continuing to hold hands, the dancers take two steps forward. The woman takes several steps along the arc, bypassing the partner on the left side. The partner takes one step back, then one step left sideways. In the end, they lower their hands.
6
Further, the dancers disperse in small steps in opposite corners. The figure is repeated several times per dance, depending on the length of the composition, under which the minuet is performed. At the end, each pair of dancers performs an additional 1.5 laps before returning to their original position. The dance ends with a nod of men. Women again curtsy.
note
All turns are made through the side in which the partner remains.
Useful advice
The minuet gains special charm when performed to the accompaniment of V.A. Mozart and L.R. Boccherini.
