GIGUE

dance that is a courtly version of the English jig (q.v.) and which became popular in aristocratic circles of Europe during the 17th century. Whereas true jigs were quick and wild solo dances of indefinite form, gigues were danced by couples in formal ballet style. The music was generally performed in 6/8 or 12/8 time; melodic lines were fashioned of rapidly moving groups of three eighth notes. As a musical form the gigue was often used in the stylized dance suite as the last movement. Invariably written in fugal style, the gigues of suites retain the characteristic triple groups of eighth notes. Examples occur in the keyboard suites of J.S. Bach.