Courante facts for kids

A courante is a lively dance that was very popular a long time ago, especially in the 17th and early 18th centuries. It was a big part of Baroque music. The word "courante" comes from the French word for "to run," which gives you a clue about how fast and energetic this dance was!

What is a Courante?

A courante was usually a fast dance. It had three beats in each musical bar. The time signature was often 3/2, meaning three half-note beats per bar. Sometimes it was 3/4, with three quarter-note beats.

During the 17th century, the French courante started to become a bit slower. It often had more counterpoint, which means different musical lines playing at the same time and imitating each other. However, this wasn't a strict rule. Famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach wrote courantes that had both Italian and French styles. He sometimes called them "courante" and sometimes "corrente."

Courantes in Music Suites

Composers during the Baroque period often put several dances together. This collection of dances was called a suite. The courante was usually the second dance in a suite.

A typical suite might start with an allemande. Then came the courante, followed by a sarabande and a gigue. Sometimes, one or two other dances were added as well.

Images for kids

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  A courante rhythm

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  Beauchamp–Feuillet notation: the steps of a courante

See also

In Spanish: Courante para niños