Chapter 6
The Renaissance
Instrumental Music:
Early Developments
Key Terms
Pavane
Galliard
Jig
Stylization
Renaissance Dance Music
The Renaissance masters wrote vocal
music primarily
Little instrumental music written c. 1500
Yet, lute, violin, and harpsichord became
more prominent in the 1500s
Instrumental dance music became more
and more popular in the late Renaissance
An international phenomenon—dances
from many nations were used throughout
Europe
Renaissance Dance Music
Popular dances included:
• Pavane—solemn dance in a slow duple meter
with formal stepping and stopping
• Galliard—lively dance in compound (fast triple)
meter; vigorous kicking and leaping steps
• Saltarello—quick Italian dance with a skipping
step
• Jig—very fast dance in compound meter from
the British Isles
• Bransle—simple French dance with many
sideways steps
Renaissance Dance Features
Each dance has a characteristic rhythm
that supports the dance steps
Dance textures are simpler than in vocal
music—generally homophonic
Repetition and contrast frequently used
Simple tunes, often ornamented,
especially when repeated
Most dances written for dancing, but more
sophisticated “stylized” dances emerge,
intended for listening!
Galliard, “Daphne”
Violin family ensemble
Strong rhythmic patterns over a clear beat with
triple meter feel
One primary melody, simple homophonic texture
Clear cadences and repeated phrases (a a b b c c)
1st violin ornaments repeats extensively
“Kemp’s Jig”
Features recorder, lute, and viola da gamba
Lively and rhythmic—fast duple meter
One primary melody; simple homophonic texture
Simple pattern of repetition and contrast (a a b)
Increasing ornamentation as dance repeats
Cadence elision at measures 8-9 subtly disrupts
four-bar groupings—an example of stylization!