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The gavotte is a French folk dance which takes its name from the Gavot people of the Pays de Gap region of Dauphiné, where the dance originated. It is in 4/4 or 2/2 time and is of moderate tempo. An unusual feature is that phrases begin in the middle of the bar (so if it is in 4/4 time, they begin on the third beat crotchet of the bar with a two-beat upbeat).
It became popular in the court of Louis XIV where Jean-Baptiste Lully wrote music. Several other classical composers wrote examples, with it being a popular - though optional - constituent of the Baroque suite - it is found in those by Johann Sebastian Bach, for example. When present in the suite, it is often played after the Sarabande and before the Gigue with other dances such as Menuet, Bourrée, Rigaudon, Passepied etc.
The gavotte is typically in binary form.
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