Minuet step The minuet step is the dance step performed in the dance minuet . It is composed of four plain straight steps or walks , and may be performed forwards , backward , sideways , or four different Ways , to which there are the like Number of Names annexed , to distinguish them from one another , arriving , not improperly speaking , from the Placing of the Marks upon them : For Example , a Movement , or Sink and Rise , being added to the first Step of the three belonging to the Minuet Step , produces a Bouree ; and the like to the fourth and last a Half Coupee , which together compose what is commonly called the English Minuet Step . The second Method of its Performance is with a Bound ; that is to say , instead of the Half Coupee or Movement to the lat Step made upon the Floor , as in the aforesaid , you bound instead thereof , which is the only Variation from the foregoing . The third Method is quite the Reverse , because , instead of the Bouree , the Half Coupee is made first and afterwards the Bouree , or as the French term it , One and a Fleuret , which is usually called the French Step . The fourth Way of performing this Step is , by adding another Movement to the third Step of the aforesaid Fleuret , or the fourth of the Minuet Step ; and it will then be notwithstanding the fame Step , only of three Movements . As to the two first foregoing Steps , little shall be said concerning them , for the following Reasons : In the first Place , because they are now rarely , if ever , practiced amongst Persons of the first Rank , and seem to be , for the present , entirely laid aside ; not as being ungraceful , or that the Dancer could not give Pleasure to the Beholders , or raise to himself a Reputation , in their Performance , but merely through Alteration of Fashion , which varies in this Respect , as in Dressing , & c . External link The article is based on the Minuet Step , from An American Ballroom Companion This dance -related article is a stub . You can help Wikipedia by expanding it . Categories : Dance stubs | Dance moves | Historical dance 