Basse danse

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The basse danse was the most popular court dance in the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, especially at the Burgundian court. When danced, couples moved quietly and gracefully in a slow gliding or walking motion. The monophonic music was based on a tenor cantus firmus; the length of the choreography was often derived from popular chansons. In performance, 3 or 4 instrumentalists would improvise the polyphony based on this tenor.