by Dianna L. Shipman
email: diannashipman@att.net
web page: http://home.att.net/~diannashipman
phone: 713 522 1212
mailing address: 1302 Waugh Drive, #134
Houston, Texas 77019
as part of:
World Dance Houston
Houston Community College,
Central College Performing Arts
July 23, 2001
Table of Contents
THE DANCES:
If you enjoy the dances presented in this workshop, come join us for more of the same at:
Scottish Country Dancing and More
(includes
Scottish, Ceilidh,
some Contra,
and English dances)
WEDNESDAYS, 7-10 P.M.,
ODDFELLOWS HALL, 115 E. 14TH ST.,
(HEIGHTS) HOUSTON, TEXAS
Dianna L. Shipman
email: diannashipman@att.net
web page: http://home.att.net/~diannashipman
phone: 713 522 1212
I keep a detailed calendar on the website with a variety of Celtic and dance events and I send out a weekly email newsletter, get in touch if you'd like to be added to the e-mailing list.
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These materials are arranged generally starting with easier dances and moving on to more complex ones. "Couple" is sometimes abbreviated as "cpl" or as "C". Numbers in the left hand margin refer to the number of bars.
A good resource for some easy dances is Listen to the Mockingbird, More Great Dances for Children, Schools & communities, a companion to the recording, New England Dancing Masters Productions, Brattleboro, Vermont, available through available through:
COUNTRY DANCE AND SONG SOCIETY
132 Main St/PO Box 338
Haydenville, MA 01039-0338 Phone: 413-268-7426 Fax: 413-268-7471
web page: http://www.cdss.org/sales/index.html
There is a CD that goes with the book with music for most of the dances in the book. Dances I do from this book and CD: The Bridge
of Athlone, which is most likely and American version of a traditional Irish Dance; the tune is Blarney Pilgrim. Another fun dance is
The Flying Scotsman. A-Rovin' is a New England contra dance with great music! Les Saluts from Quebec and part of a longer dance
known as The Lancers. Sir Roger de Coverly is a very old dance and the original source of The Virginia Reel (which was a favorite of
George Washington's and perhaps why it became known as The Virginia Reel); it was also pictured in one of Charles Dickens' books.
Very similar to the Irish / Scottish dance known as The Haymakers' Jig.
Another good source of music, which is produced locally, is a CD called "Permanent Wave"; the caller on the CD is Barbara Smith and you can send her an email at barbara@whiterose.org to find out where in Houston to purchase it; Barb is a frequent caller with the Houston Area Traditional Dance Society
(web page: http://members.aol.com/hatds/home.htm ).Two dances I use from the CD (which includes the calls) are Washington Quickstep and Jefferson Reel, but there are 8 other reels and jigs suitable for dance. Contra dancing has its roots in the English and Scottish dancing of the UK. Contra dances are called and use walking steps for most of the dance and for those reasons are an easy place to start when teaching new dancers.
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Formation: longways set for 6-8 couples
A1 (16) all forward and back (8)
All cross over to partner's place, passing right shoulders. (8)
A2 (16) all forward and back (8)
All cross back to original place, passing right shoulders again (8)
B1 (16) first cpl take two hands and sashay (or slip step) down the center (8)
Sashay (or slip step) back up (8)
B2 (16) First cpl cast off and all follow behind down the outside of the set (16)
C1 (16) First cpl make a two hand arch at the bottom of the set.
Other dancers meet their partners below the arch,
take one hand with partner, duck under the arch, and walk back to place.
All but the original first couple take two hands and make arches,
forming a long tunnel. (16)
C2 (16) The original first lady goes up the center through the tunnel while first gent goes up the outside of his side of the set (8)
Then the original first gent goes down the center through the tunnel while
the first lady goes down the outside of her side of the set. Then all step back to place to prepare for the opening forward and back (8)
repeat the dance with new top couple.
notes: in A1 and A2, when crossing over the set, it is helpful to have the dancers face each other as they pass, maintaining eye contact, and backing into their new place.
FLYING SCOTSMAN 32 bar jig for 4 couples
bars 1-8 1st 3 ladies dance across the top of the set, behind 1st M, in front of 2nd M, behind 3M, across the bottom, & up own side to places
bars 9-16 1st 3 men do the same, on ladies side.
bars 17-24 1st couple, both hands joined, slip down the middle, and up to 4th place, other couples stepping up on bars 3-4
bars 25-32, All, hands joined on the sides, slip down, slip up - train noises here
Repeat as often as liked!
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A1 (24) Right hand star (8)
Left hand star (8)
Do si do partner (8)
B1 (16) Ones walk down the center, twos step in right behind them. (8)
All turn alone and walk back to progressed place with partner (8)
Circle of couples (can also be done without partners) with hands joined
A1 (16) Circle left (16)
A2 (16) Circle right (16)
B1 (16) Forward /pause and back / pause
Forward /pause and back / pause
(At the pauses in the music - bow or curtsey)
HAYMAKERS JIG 4x48 bar jig done in a four couple longwise set
1-4 1st woman and 4th man advance to the middle of thedance and turn each other right hands once round and return to places
5-8 1st man and 4th woman do the same
9-12 1st woman and 4th man meet and turn left hands once round
13-16 1st man and 4th woman turn left hands
17-20 1st woman and 4th man meet and turn both hands
21-24 1st man and 4th woman turn both hands
25-28 1st woman and 4th man dance back to back
29-32 1st man and 4th woman dance back to back
33-36 1st woman and 4th man advance, cursey/bow to one another, retire to places
37-40 1st man and 4th woman do the same.
41-48 1st woman casts off followed by the other women
while 1st man casts off followed by the other men;
1st cpl meets and joins both hands to make an arch
and the other cpls meet partner and go under the arch.
Repeat with new top cpl each time. Running step thru out.
SIR ROGER DE COVERLY
A very old dance and the original source of The Virginia Reel (which was a favorite of George Washington's); it was also pictured in one of Charles Dickens' books. Very similar to the Irish / Scottish dance known as The Haymkers' Jig.
Music: any jig or reel Formation: Longways set,4-6 couples
A1 (16) First corners (1st woman and last man) (go forward and back (8)
Second corners (1st man and last woman) go forward and back (8)
A2 (16) First corners turn right hands (8)
Second corners turn right hands (8)
B1 (16) First corners turn left hands (8)
Second corners turn left hands (8)
B2 (16) First corners turn with both hands (8)
Second corners turn with both hands (8)
A1 (16) First corners do-si-do (8)
Second corners do-si-do (8)
A2 (16) First couple sashay down to the bottom of the set (8)
First couple sashay back to the top (8)
(A variation can be added at this point: (for as many bars as it takes) First couple "strip the willow" to the bottom of the set)
THEN: First couple lead a cast off down the outside of the set and make a two hand arch at the bottom of the set; other dancers meet their partners below the arch, take one hand with partner, duck under the arch and walk back to place.
Repeat with a new top couple each time.
JEFFERSON REEL Traditional contra dance Level: easy
duple proper (1s or actives don't change sides)
A1 Circle left, Circle right
A2 Star right, Star left
B1 Actives down the outsides and then Come back
B2 Down hall in lines of 4 (actives in middle)
Actives arch, ends pop through
(ie inactives head up and under and actives walk backwards and then turn around)
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WASHINGTON QUICKSTEP (Permanent Wave CD)
traditional contra dance - level: easy, duple improper
(ie ones or actives in each two cpl pair cross over to wrong sides)
A1 Star Right (4 bars), Star Left (4 bars)
A2 Active couple down the middle (3 bars)
Turn alone, come back, (3 bars)
cast off with inactives (take around the waist) (2 bars)
B1 Right and left through (across set) - give hand to person across from you (4) and meet the next person (opposite sex) and turn with woman putting right hand behind back and joining left hands with man she meets and turn to change places with that person
Right and left back (4)
B2 Long lines forward and back (4)
Active couple swing (4)
(End facing down, towards next couple)
Men always put the lady he swings on his right side as they end a swing.
If you'd like to try out some more contra dancing in Houston:
HOUSTON AREA TRADITIONAL DANCE SOCIETY
website: http://members.aol.com/hatds/home.htm
Dances are held at usually the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month at Grace Methodist Church , 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. Live Music --
Always! No Partners or Experience Necessary Every Dance is Taught and Called
CONTRA DANCING additional websites of interest:
New England Folk Festival http://www.neffa.org/~neffa/
Elderly Instruments (music source): http://www.elderly.com/recordings/46C.htm
Barn Dances http://www.ndirect.co.uk/~thomas.green/BarnDances/
Cambridge Contra Dancers http://fandango.ch.cam.ac.uk/contra/
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There is a tremendous amount of wonderful material available from:
COUNTRY DANCE AND SONG SOCIETY
132 Main St/PO Box 338
Haydenville, MA 01039-0338 Phone: 413-268-7426 Fax: 413-268-7471
web page: http://www.cdss.org/sales/index.html
Simple Pleasures is a new CD they produced and the liner notes to the CD say: "Simple Pleasures is a collection of 15 relatively easy English country dances designed for use primarily by groups without access to suitable live music." Included below are: THE RAGG , THE DRESSED SHIP, THE SPANIARD,
AURETTI'S DUTCH SKIPPER,THE PHYSICAL SNOB, LOVELY NANCY,
JACOB HALL'S JIG , YELLOW STOCKINGS and THE HOLE IN THE WALL.
Websites of interest:
1. Elements of English Country Dance - with definitions of dance terms: http://www.cam.ac.uk/societies/round/dances/el_index.htm
2. English Dance (my page, with lots of links):
http://home.att.net/~diannashipman/English.html
3. The Colonial Dancing Master http://members.aol.com/Dance18thc/
4. Jane Austen Society of North America http://www.jasna.org/
5. English Country Dance and Its American Cousin: History and Comparison http://www-ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/~winston/ecd/history.htmlx
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A1 1C cross & cast (2C step up) & 1C 2-hand turn once and a half
A2 2C do the same
B1 1C and 2C RH across, LH back
B2 Partners set twice & 3 changes of circular hey
Neal c. 1726
THE DRESSED SHIP Longways duple minor (1774)
A1 [1-2] 1st corners set toward each other.
[3-4] and fall back.
[5-8] then turn 2 hand once around.
A2 [1-8] 2nd corners repeat.
B1 [1-4] 1st couple cast into second place, 2nd couple moves up on bars 3-4.
[5-6] All set to partners.
[7-8] men turn the ladies under their joined R hands, counter-clockwise.
B2 [1-4] 1st couple casts up to top (2nd couple moves down on bars 3-4).
[5-6] All set to partners.
[7-8] 1st couple lead down the center while lady turns counter-clockwise under joined R hands, and 2nd couple casts up.
Longways Duple Minor for as many as will
A1 1-2 The first man sets to the second woman, moving forward.
3-4 The first man and the second woman turn single.
5-8 The first man turns his partner.
A2 1-2 The first woman sets to second man, moving forward.
3-4 The first woman and the second man turn single.
5-8 The first woman turns her partner.
B1 1-8 The first couple lead down the middle eight steps,
turn, skip back to places, and cast off.
B2 1-8 Hands-four eight steps clockwise and eight back (slip step)
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Danced in the Movie Emma, Longways
1st couple lead through 2nd couple and cast up to place
1st couple turn two hands
2nd couple lead up through 1st couple and cast down to place
2nd couple turn two hands
1st corners turn two hands
2nd corners turn two hands
Three changes circular hey (right-and-left), beginning with partner
THE PHYSICAL SNOB
Longways for Three Couples [C. 1800]
A1 1-8 The first woman leads the women round the men.
(women join hands)
A2 1- 8 The first man leads the men round the women. (men join hands)
B1 1- 8 Poussette:
First and second couples change (first man going forward),
first and third couples change (first man going back).
B2 1- 8 Poussette back.
First and third couples change (first man going forward),
first and second couples change (first man back).
C1 1- 8 First couple cross and continue round the second couple,
cross again in the middle and continue round the third couple
to the bottom of the set.
C2 1-8 Lead up the middle to the top and cast to the bottom of the set.
LOVELY NANCY 1744 duple minor longways 32 bars total
A1 1-4 1st cpl set forward to partner, turn single back to place;
5-8 1st woman cast, followed by partner, finishing in 2nd place improper (2's move up).
A2 1-8 2nd cpl the same, all ending home improper.
B1 1-4 Men lead through women, cast back to place;
5-8 all clap on first beat of 5th bar, circle left once
B2 1-4 women lead through men, cast back to place;
5-8 clap as before, circle left half way, turn single left.
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JACOB HALL'S JIG Danced in the Movie Emma, Longways, fast
1st man turn 2nd woman R, partner L;
then 1st couple and 2nd woman circle, hands three, counterclockwise.
2nd man turn 1st woman L, partner R;
then 2nd couple and 1st woman circle, hands three, clockwise.
1st couple lead down, change hands, lead up
and join hands with second couple in line of 4 facing up;
forward a double and back; 1st couple falling into 2nd place.
Circle hands 4 once around; 1st couple lead up and cast down.
A1 1st corners turn twice with two hands
A2 2nd corners do the same
B1 1C slip down (3) & back (3) & cast (6)
B2 4 changes of circular hey
Neal Book c.1726
THE HOLE IN THE WALL Danced in the Movie Emma,
Longways, Triple time, duple proper
1st couple cast down and lead back around 2nd couple.
2nd couple cast up and lead back to place around 1st couple.
1st corners cross; 2nd corners cross.
Hands-4 half way round; 1st couple cast down while 2nd couple lead up.
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"ceilidh" (pronounced kay-lee) is a gaelic word and has come to mean a party or social gathering, formats vary but can include socializing, singing, concerts, story telling, and of course DANCING!! "Le cheile" means "with each other" or "together." The Irish spell in "ceili."There is no clear distinction identifying a dance as a "ceilidh" dance; the idea at a ceilidh is to include dances that those attending already know and/or that those with little or no dance experience can easily pick up on the spot, in keeping with the idea of everyone dancing with each other, all together.
A good reference for these is Collins Pocket Reference Scottish Country Dancing, compiled in association with The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, available from the Teachers' Association of Canada (TAC):
website: http://www.tac-rscds.org/
TAC Books email: TACbooks@tac-rscds.org
There are two CDs that accompany the book (not all the dances in the book are on the CDs but there is a good selection along with a good deal of good reference material):
"Music for Collins Pocket Reference Scottish Country Dancing,
Volume 1 Ceilidh Dances
Volume 2, Scottish Country Dances:
Both available from:
TAX Sound, email: TACsound@tac-rscds.org
Several that I use often from the Volume 1 CD:Canadian Barn Dance, Circle Waltz, Elephant Walk, The Gay Gordons, Lambeth Walk, Military Two Step, Pride of Erin Waltz, and St. Bernard's Waltz. And from Volume 2: Dashing White Sergeant, Eightsome Reel, Reel of 51st, Duke of Perth, Postie's Jig, Strip the Willow. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Manual is alsoavailable from TAC Books. "Scottish Ceilidh Dancing" by David and May Ewart is also a good resource and is generally available through amazon.com or can be ordered through most bookstores.
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CANADIAN BARN DANCE couples form around the room all facing line of dance (counter-clockwise), man with partner on his right, nearer hands joined.
Bars
1-2 Man beginning with left foot, woman with right, dancers walk forward 3 steps and kick on fourth beat, swing the same foot back
3-4 Walk backwards 3 steps bringing feet together on fourth step,
5-6 They side step away from each other:
woman side-steps to her right (step, close, step, close)
while man side-steps to his left (step, close, step, close)
(Note: Ok to clap hands).
7-8 Partners side-step back to each other and face
9-12 Man takes partner in ballroom hold and they side-step up the line of dance (step, close, step, close); (ladies to right, men to left),
then side-step back down the line of dance (step close step close)
13-16 Polka around, moving forward slightly.
Repeat all of above until the music ends.
Formation: one big circle facing the middle, men having their partners on their right, all joining hands and beginning with the right foot.
1-2 Balance forward and back.
3-4 Men, releasing their partner's hand, with both hands swing the woman on their left in front of them to finish on their right.
5-16 Repeat this THREE more times and hold onto the woman facing her and taking ballroom hold, stand side towards centre of room.
17-20 Men begin left foot, partner right foot, and moving towards the centre, step close, step close, then - step close step.
21-24 Repeat but moving towards the wall.
25 - 32 Waltz round the room, reforming the circle to begin again.
In couples facing round room, facing each other, man with back to center.
Bars
1 All begin right foot.
Point right foot to side, no weight, tap beside left foot, no weight,
repeat point to side then close to left foot.
2 Repeat above with left foot.
3 Point right foot diagonally back, no weight, tap beside left foot, no weight, repeat point diagonally back and then close to left foot.
4 Repeat with left foot.
5 Lift right knee and touch with left elbow, point right foot to side, no weight. Lift right knee and touch with left elbow, close right
foot beside left foot.
6 Lift left knee and touch with right elbow, point left foot to side, no weight. Lift left knee and touch with right elbow, close left foot beside right foot.
7 Kick right leg across left leg, close right foot to left foot.
Kick left leg across right leg, close left foot to right foot.
8 With feet together, jump sideways to the left to face new partner;
nod to new partner and clap own hands.
Music: samba rhythm
Source: collected by Mary Stoker
Round the room dance, woman stands to the right of the man, hands joined in allemande hold, both facing counterclockwise.
Walk forward four steps, walk backwards four steps.
Repeat.
Drop left hands and with right hands still joined, as the man walks slightly forward, the woman turns under the raised arms.
Polka for four bars moving along the line of dance.
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In couples facing line of dance, man begins with left foot, partner with right foot.
1-4 walk forward for 8 steps
5-8 partners face each other and link left arms and walk around for 8 steps (on last two - steps 7 and 8 man turns to face line of dance and woman marks time in place)
9-12 partners link nearer arm (or take inside hands) and walk 1, 2, 3 and backstep (ie a rocking step) - man starts left foot and woman right foot; repeat (total of 8 steps)
13-16 partners move away from each other (man towards center and woman towards outside of circle) - man starts left foot and woman right foot - step to side, cross other foot in front (2 steps)
THEN
step to side as turn to face partner and bend and slap both knees (2 steps)
Walk towards partner with four small steps
and finish facing line of dance ready to repeat
Couples with nearer hands joined, woman on man's right
1-2 each with outside foot: heel, toe, heel, toe
3-4 each walk 1, 2, 3 and turn opposite direction
5-6 each with outside foot: heel, toe, heel, toe
7-8 each walk 1, 2, 3 and face partner and take both hands
bar 9- placing left hips near to each other and each steps on the right foot and kicks with the left foot and
bar 10 - then put right hips near to each other and steps on the right foot and kicks with the left foot
11-12 woman pivots under man's left arm while man walks four steps
13-16 polka round for four bars and open out
Ready to repeat.
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PRIDE OF ERIN WALTZ Couples with nearer hands joined, man with woman on his right, facing counterclockwise in large circle around the room.
1-4 Standing side by side with nearer hands joined,
each swings outside leg forward, back,
then step, close, step
and turn to face opposite direction
5-8 Swing outside leg forward, back,
step, close, step back to original positions
9-12 Face partner and join both hands
(men with back to the center of the circle):
men step left foot over right foot and point right foot,
then right foot over left and point left
women step right foot over left foot and point left foot,
then left foot over right and point right
13-16 turn away from your partner, then back
17-18 Join both hands with partner and
step towards each other and away (balance)
19-20 Man turns woman under his left (woman's right)
to change sides
21-22 Join both hands again and balance (step in, then out)
23-24 Man turns woman under his left (woman's right)
to change places back
25-28 Join both hands with partner for a step, close, step, close
(man starts with left foot and woman with right foot)
then back: step, close, step, close
(this time man starts with right foot and woman with left)
29-32 take ballroom hold with partner
and waltz around for four bars
opening out to stand side by side, man placing woman to his right to start again.
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ST. BERNARD'S WALTZ Circle of couples. In ballroom hold, partners facing, men with back to center of the circle. Men start with left foot, women wiht right foot.
(Note: instructions for men - women use reverse foot)
1-4 Three step closes:
step left foot, close right foot,
step left foot, close right foot,
step left foot, close right foot
Mark time: stomp, stomp (right, left) OR up/down on toes of feet
5-8 Two step closes:
step right foot close left foot,
step right foot, close left foot (without weight)
THEN into the center two steps
step back left foot, step back right foot (towards center)
9-12 Out from the center and turn the lady under:
step forward left foot, step forward right foot (towards wall - away from center)
Lady turns under man's left hand (twice)
13-16 waltz round for four bars, ready to begin again.
Music: old-time waltz
Source: collected by Barbara Gibbons
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STRIP THE WILLOW or Drops of Brandy (9/8 jig)
1-4 1st cpl turn with rt hands 2 ½ times (12 running steps)
5-6 1st woman and 2nd man turn with left hands (6 running steps)
WHILE 1st man runs down the middle to meet his partner
7-8 1st cpl turn with rt hands (6 running steps)
9-12 repeat 5-8 but 1st woman turns 3rd man
13-16 repeat 5-8 but 1st woman turns 4th man
17-28 1st cpl repeats bars 5-16 traveling up the women's side of the dance: ie 1st man turns 4th woman with left hand then partner with rt and then 3rd woman left and partner rt and then 2nd left and partner rt
29-30 1st woman and 2nd man turn with left hands
WHILE 1st man and 2nd woman turn with left hands
31-32 1st cpl turn with rt hands
33-34 1st cpl repeat with 3rd cpl
35-36 1st cpl turn with rt hands
37-38 1st cpl repeat with 4th cpl
39-40 1st cpl turn with rt hands 1 ½ times.
Notes:
1) Running steps are used throughout.
2) The set remains in the same place by the moving up of each cpl as they are turned by 1st cpl during bars 29-38.
3) The numbering of the bars is for a 4 cpl set
4) A NEW TOP CPL STARTS EVERY 40 BARS WHICH MEANS THE CPL FINISHING THEIR TURN MUST USE THE FIRST TWO BARS OF MUSIC OF THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT REPETITION OR JUST TURN EACH OTHER TO OWN SIDES RATHER THAN 1 ½ TURNS.
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SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING IN HOUSTON:
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING AND MORE WEDNESDAYS ALL YEAR!
7-10 P.M., ODDFELLOWS HALL, 115 E. 14TH ST., (HEIGHTS) HOUSTON, TEXAS.
contact: Dianna L. Shipman
email: diannashipman@att.net
web page: http://home.att.net/~diannashipman phone: 713 522 1212
ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY
HOUSTON AND DISTRICT BRANCH
CLASSES
(usually January through mid June, September thru mid December) LOCATIONS:
(1) In Step Dance Studio (in the Kroger Center at I-45) 325 Sawdust Road, The Woodlands David Davies dldavies@flex.net 409-588-4274 (2) Classical Arts Dance Studio, 530 N Illinois, League City, Moon Weiss 713-465-9650 mland121@aol.com and
(3) and (4) Basic and General classes, DewAnn Cotten Dance Studio 9423 Glenfield Court, (By S. Braeswood/Hillcroft), South West Houston, Moon Weiss or Carol Palmer 713-776-8531 carolhpalmer@hotmail.com .
Website: http://www.houstonrscds.org/HoustonRSCDS.htm
GENERAL INFORMATION ON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING:
Many of the Scottish Country Dances done today date back hundreds of years. Most of these are done in "sets" of four couples. In a
"set" you stand across from your partner, all the "men" on one side in a line and all the "women" on another side in a line (the men have
their left shoulder to the music and the women their right shoulder). The music is set up at one end of the room and this is the top or
head or "up" and the opposite direction is the bottom or foot or "down."
There are three types of music, two fast tempo (reels and jigs) and one slower tempo (strathspeys). There are five basic steps: skip
change, pas de basque, slip step, strathspey traveling step and strathspey setting step.
There are about twenty basic figures, including such things as joining hands in a circle, wheels or right hands across, dancing down the
center of the set and back up, and dancing down behind your own line (casting). (see link below for more info on figures).
A favorite pattern or figure that is an important feature of many Scottish Country Dances is a "reel". A reel of three means you have
three dancers in a line, two facing and one on the end who is facing someone''s back. Each dancer is dancing a ""figure eight"" pattern
just like the number eight (8) or the figure eight in ice skating but all move at the same time; in other words they are weaving in and out,
each time allowing one person to pass between the other two.
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STEPS:
for animated examples of steps see website at:
http://www.accesscom.com/~reellass/scd/funstuff/step1gif.html
Steps used in Reels/Jigs:
Skip change / Slip step / Pas de Basque /Running step.
Steps used in Strathspeys: Strathspey travelling step / Strathspey setting Step /Highland Schottishche / Glasgow Highlander Step
THE BASIC STEP: THE SKIP CHANGE is a change of step preceded by a hop and is the traveling step in faster tempo - reel or jig
time. Heels are together, feet turned out, the leg turned out from the hip, with the weight of the body evenly balanced on both feet. One
skip change of step takes one bar of music (count 1, 2, 3):
(1) Hop on the left foot and, at the same time, fully extend the right leg forward and reach straight forward with the right foot
(2) Bring the left foot behind the right foot to form a T with the right heel against the center (or instep) of the left foot
(3) Reach straight forward again with the right foot
At the end of the step the back foot is brought through and the leg extended, ready to repeat the step, this time starting with the left foot
1) Hop on the right foot and, at the same time, fully extend the left leg forward and reach straight forward with the left foot
(2) Bring the right foot behind the left foot to form a T with the left heel against the center (or instep) of the right foot
(3) Reach straight forward again with the left foot
The step can also be used to travel backwards: hop, back, close, back
Rhythm of the step: hop, step, close, step
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The step is light and lively and gives the feeling of flight and easy movement.
The hop does not need to be very high. The extended leg is a firm line from hip to toe, knee turned out, straight but not stiff, toe pointed
down and about one or two inches clear of the floor.
When learning the step, begin by: step forward on right foot, bring left foot behind the right (instep of left foot pressed to the heel of the
right foot), take another step forward with right foot, then repeat with left foot leading, then try walking all three movements
rhythmically, e.g. right, together, right; left, together, left. Once these movements are familiar, begin by lifting the right foot forward,
clear of the floor, then add the change of step. The rhythm would then become lift, step, close, step, or lift, 1, 2, 3. All that is now
required to complete the step, is to add a little hop on the back foot as the front leg is extended, and continue as previously described.
Reminders: dance on the ball of the foot - heels don''t touch the floor. In the lift, the foot should be raised just an inch or two from the
floor, with the ankle well extended, knee straight and well turned out. Close the instep of the rear foot to the heel of the front foot each
time (but not under the foot).
I plan to post detailed descriptions of the other steps on my website at:
http://home.att.net/~diannashipman/Manual.html
The strathspey traveling step has the same form but is a stronger, slower, more controlled version of this step with a lift in place of a hop.
To see an example of the Pas de basque setting step there is an animation of this step at: http://members.rideau.net/tay/pdb2.html
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LIST OF FIGURES:
Advance & Retire/Allemande (2 cpl / 3 cpl / 4 cpl)/
Back to Back/Balance in Line/Birl (or Bourrel)/Bow and Curtsey/
Casting/Corner Formations: turn corners and partner, corner chain , set to and turn corners ,set to corners/Cross Over/Crown Triangles/
Double Triangles (reversing double triangles)/
En Rond/Espagnole/Figure of Eight/
Grand Chain/Hands Across (wheels, 3 hands - teapots)/
Hands Round (circles - 4, 6, 8 hands round, 1/2) /
Knot (variations: Kiwi Knot, Slip Knot)/
La Barette/Ladies Chain/Men's Chain/
Lead Down the Middle and Up/
Peerie/Petronella (in tandem) /Philabeg /Poussette: for 3 and 4 cpls , in round the room dances ,all around (strathspey), 1/2 round (S),
highland schottische poussette/
Promenade: 2 cpl, 3 cpl, 4 cpl, followed by cast off 2, 3 cpl/
Reels: Reels of 4 - across the dance, on the side , half diagonal/
Reels of 3 - across the dance; on the side, mirror, parrallel; half crossover reels; Inveran reels; after set and turn corners; after set to
corners; after set to corners and partner; after turn corners and partner ; Schiehallion/Rights and Lefts: 2 cpl, 3 cpl, half/
Rondel/Roulette/
Set and Link (for 2, for 3)/Setting (singly; 3 and 3 across; 2, 3, 4 on sides)/Set and Rotate / Spoke /Spurtle/Stepping Up and Down/Swirl/
Targe/The Tourbillon/Tournee (For animated diagram of the tournee see:
http://www.accesscom.com/~reellass/scd/funstuff/animgif.html /
Turns - once round (rt hand/lf hand 2 bars, 4 bars, half, one and a half, one hand, two hands)/
Whirligig
A thank you to Richard Walker for help completing this list.
ADDITIONAL SCOTTISH WEBSITES:
1. Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Edinburgh
2. Grand Chain, Edinburgh Dance Resource
3. Intercity Scot http://members.tripod.com/~InterCityScot/index.html
4. Strathspey Server http://www.tm.informatik.uni-frankfurt.de/strathspey/
5. Library of Congress Dance Manuals http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/dihtml/dihome.html
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POLKA DOTS This is a fun, easy dance for 5 dancers and a good introduction to reels. (5x32J) Traditional
2
3 1 5
4
Dancer 1 in center of diamond
1-8 Rt shldr reel with 2 and 4.
9-16 Lft shldr reel with 3 and 5.
17-20 1 set and change by rt with 2.
21-24 2 set and change by rt with 3.
25-28 3 set and change by rt with 4.
29-32 4 set and change by rt with 5.
Form: Lines of 3 facing lines of 3 Source: Traditional Tempo: Reel
1-8 Circle six hands round and back.
9-16 Center person set to end person on right, turn both hands,
repeat with end person on left.
17-24 Reels of three, center person giving left shoulder
to end person on right to begin.
25-32 Advance and retire in lines of three,
line dancing up the set (i.e. facing clockwise)
makes an arch,other line goes under,
(all passing right shoulders) to meet next line.
1- 8 1C turn RH, cast one place and turn LH to face 1st corners
9-16 1C turn corner, partner, corner, partner to finish facing 1st corners
17-24 1C set to and turn 1st corners BH. 1C set to and turn 2nd corners BH
25-32 1C dance reels of 3 on the wrong sides -
1C pass 1st corners LS to begin (cross to 2nd place to finish)
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EIGHTSOME REEL (square set) 464 bar reel
Sets of eight, ladies on partner's right
PART A:
1-8 Circle 8 hands round and back
9-16 Ladies right-hand-in star for eight while retaining hold of partner's left hand
17-24 Men left hand star for eight while retaining hold of partner's right hand.
25-40 Grand chain all the way around the square back to place, starting by giving right hand to partner (2 skip change or 4 walking steps for each hand given)
PART B:
1-8 1st woman goes into the center and sets using step(s) of her choice while the rest dance 7 hands round and back.
9-16 1st woman sets to partner and turns him two hands, then sets to 3rd man and turns him two hands
17-24 1st woman, 1st man and 3rd man left shoulder reels of three, 1st woman giving left shoulder to 1st man to start, 1st woman ends in the center
25-32 1st woman goes into the center and sets using step(s) of her choice while the rest dance 7 hands round and back.
33-48 1st woman sets to and turns 4th man with both hands and then sets to and turns 2nd man with both hands and then dances a left shoulder reel with them giving left shoulder to 4th man to start finishing in her original place on the side of the square with her partner as 2nd woman goes into the middle of the set for the next repetition of Part B of the dance.
Repeat Part B with each dancer: 2nd woman, 3rd woman, 4th woman, 1st man, 2nd man, 3rd man, 4th man
FINISH BY REPEATING PART A.
History:
Devised by the Earl of Dunsmore and his friends in the early 1870's at the time of the Atholl Gathering Ball based on recollections of "round reels". Subsequently introduced at the Portree Ball and Perth and then spreading throughout Scotland where it is still regularly danced.
Page 25
1-8 1st cpl set to each other and cast off two places. They meet below 3rd
cpl & lead up the middle to corners,2nd cpl steps up on bars 3-4.
9-12 1st cpl set to and turn 1st corners with right hands finishing in a
diagonal line by joining left hands with partner.
13-14 All balance in line.
15-16 1st cpl, leaving 1st corners in place, turn each other 1 1/4 times
to face 2nd corners.
17-22 1st cpl repeat bars 9-14 with 2nd corners.
23-24 1st cpl cross to 2nd place, own side.
25-32 2nd, 1st, & 3rd cpls circle six hands round and back.
1- 8 1C, 4C set and cast (1st cpl down, 4th cpl up)
while 2nd cpl step up and 4th cpl step down.
1st and 4th cpl dance half figure 8
(1st around 2nd and 4th around 3rd).
A series of four arches and turning the corner (4 bars) each:
9-12 dancing ladies going under arch made the dancing men (1s and 4s)
and turn corner
13-16 cpl at top dances under arch
made by cpl at bottom and turn corner
17-20 ladies go under arch made by men
and turn corner
21-24 cpl at top dances under arch
made by cpl at bottom and turn corner
25-32 1C,4C dance half rights and lefts.
4C,1C turn partners RH
Repeat 3 more times.