All of the steps I have shown so far are bassedanze steps, that is they are all in 6/4 time. A doppio is done to one misura of bassedanza time, in other words in one measure or bar of 6/4 time.

Some of the steps that are to follow are in other misure. Saltarello steps are done in saltarello time, therefore in one bar (3 beats) of 3/4 time. Piva steps are done in 2 beats, of (usually quite fast) piva, or 2/4 time, and so on.

Many of the steps can be done in any time -- for example the ballo “Pizochara” has several reprise done in 2/4 (piva) time, while in other dances reprise are done in 6/4 bassedanza time.

Here are some of the steps that are done in the balli that are not usually done in bassadanza time. This is not an exhaustive list of course¹, but it shows the basic steps that go towards building up the balli and more complex bassa danze.

PvL -- Piva (Left)

The “piva” step is the main step done in piva time. The dance descriptions of the time often say things like “do sixteen tempi of piva” which means to do sixteen piva steps in sixteen bars of piva time, the step being implied by a measure.

Here is how to do a piva step, beginning on the left foot:

• Step forwards on the left foot

• Step quickly forwards on the right foot, bringing the right foot either level with, slightly in front of, or slightly behind the left foot.

• Step forwards again on the left foot.

Note that the above three actions are done in two beats. The second action is done quickly on the second beat, and the third step forwards happens just after the beat. The count is “ONE and TWO, ONE and TWO”, etc.

The piva step looks like a very fast doppio step, which is exactly how the manuscripts describe it to be done.

To commence the next piva step, step forwards on the right foot, past the left foot, as if starting the first step of the sequence, and continue from there.

SlL -- Saltarello (Left)

A saltarello step is done in 3 beats (one measure of saltarello, or 3/4 time):

• Step forwards on the left foot.

• Make a quick "lilt" onto the right foot (in effect moving the weight of the step backwards), then step forwards on the left foot.

• Hop forwards on the left foot, leaving the right foot raised to commence the next step.

Note that this is only one of many interpretations of this step, and there are other arrangements of the steps (hop-step-lilt-step) that are also found. The manuscripts of the period are not sufficiently clear on the description of this step for a "proof" of one method or another to be found.

Saltarello Todescho

A “saltarello todescho” step is done in 4 beats (1 bar of 4/4 quadernaria time), beginning on the left foot as follows:

• Step forwards on the left foot

• Step forwards on the right foot, bringing the right foot either level with, slightly in front of, or slightly behind the left foot.

• Step forwards again on the left foot.

• Hop forwards on the left foot, leaving the right foot raised to commence the next step

This should be done evenly spaced across the four beats of the bar, one action per beat.

Note the similarity to the piva step. There is no rushing of the right foot step as there was in the piva step, however, and there is a hop at the end.

To commence the next step, begin on the right foot. Remember that all steps are done in a strict left, right, left sequence.

Every Step Is Derived From A Doppio

Every one of the above steps is derived from a doppio. Look back at the description of a bassadanza doppio, I have included a diagram.

Note how the (left) doppio step begins with a step forwards on the left foot, continuing with a shorter step forwards on the right foot and a rise onto your toes, and then another step forwards on the left foot.

A piva step is just this step done more quickly, in 2 beats rather than 6.

Saltarello and Saltarello Todescho

A saltarello step is very simply the doppio step, with a hop at the end, all done in 3 beats. Or, if you prefer, it is a piva step with a hop at the end.

A saltarello todescho step is the same as a saltarello step, but done in 4 beats. Or, if you prefer, a slowed down piva step with a hop at the end. Or, just a saltarello step done more slowly.

In this way every step and time of 15^th C Italian dance relates to every other step and time.

M -- Movimento

This is basically a small rising motion. Nothing else specific is known about it, so I treat it as a small rise onto the balls of the feet, and down again, in half of a bar.

I use the movimento as a place for improvisation in many of my reconstructions.