This dance is for a line or circle of any number of dancers. You may hold hands or not as you prefer. The dance repeats as long as the music plays.
| Count | Steps |
|---|---|
| Part A | |
| 4 | Double left. |
| 2 | Kick left, kick right. |
| 4 | Double right. |
| 10 | Repeat the A section again. |
| Part B | |
| 4 | Double left. |
| 2 | Kick left, kick right. |
| 2 | Single right. |
| 3 | Kick left, kick right, kick left. |
| 2 | Single left. |
| 3 | Kick right, kick left, kick right. |
| 4 | Double right. |
Step Descriptions
Bransle Single
The basic bransle step is a sideways step. A left single is done by stepping to the left with the left foot, then bringing the right foot next to it. A right single is the same thing in the opposite direction.
Bransle Double
The bransle double is simply two singles done in succession in the same direction.
Kicks
Kicks in mixed bransles do not need to be enormous. To kick with the right foot, simply raise the right foot in the air and hop on the left foot.
Teaching Notes
Lorenzo Petrucci:
The movements of bransles usually match the tune of the music very closely. The music will usually tell you when to kick, or when to change from an A section to a B section. There is often a little song that helps to remember and call the steps correctly.
The song I use for the A part goes: “Double to the left and kick, kick. Double to the ri-ight.”
The song I use for the B part goes: “Double to the left and kick, kick. Sin-gle, kick, kick, kick. Sin-gle, kick, kick, kick. Double to the right.”
Depending on how well the dancers are keeping their rights and lefts straight, it may help to call the kicks as “left” and “right” as appropriate.
The part of this dance that causes the most confusion is the three kicks following a single in Part B. The trick is to not shift your weight onto the trailing foot when you close the single. For example, when I do the left single, I step with the left foot, then bring the right foot up next to it and tap my toe on the ground to mark the beat, but don’t put the foot all the way down. This is important so that you have the right foot free to kick. After three kicks your right foot is again in the air and ready to step to the right.