Gigue

The gigue ([[Help:IPA|/ʒig/]]) or giga is a lively baroque dance originating from the British jig. It was imported into France in the mid-17th century and usually appears at the end of a suite.

The gigue is usually in 3/8 or in one of its compound metre derivatives, such as 6/8, 6/4, 9/8 or 12/16, although there are some gigues written in other meters (for example, the gigue from Bach's first French Suite (BWV 812), which is written in 4/4). They often have a contrapuntal texture. It often has accents on the third beats in the bar.

Etymology

In the XII century a small violin was called a gigue. One of the dances that was played with the violin soon got this name.

See also

• Jig (folk dance)
• Loure (slow gigue)