Dance steps and terminology
For dancers new and old, here is a description of many of the terms that you will hear the callers use.
Dance Formations. Longways SetSet made up of lines of men facing their partners in a Long Set Duple-Minor SetA
progressive longways set in units of two couples. Ones remain ones to
the bottom while twos remain twos to the top when each has a turn out
before changing numbers and returning along the set having changed
numbers
Triple-Minor A
progressive longways set in units of three couples. First couple
progresses down the set one place and keep their number to the bottom.
The other two couples alternate between two and three and move up to the
top of the set.
Beckett Formation A
progressive longways set but men with their partners by their right
side facing another similar couple across the set. Progression is along
the side of the set.
Long Sets 3, 4, 5 or more couples dance in a long set.
Double Circle Face partners with men on inside and ladies on outside.
Sicilian Circle Couple facing couple in a large circle around the room.
Double Sicilian Circle Two couples side-by-side facing two couples side by side and forming a circle around the room.
Square Four couples forming sides of square and numbered anticlockwise starting with the couple that has their backs to the caller.
Head couples are numbers 1 and 3.
Side couples are numbers 2 and 4.
Always join a set at the bottom unless invited to do otherwise.
Folk Dancing is a contact dance. Men lead or guide lady to place.
Remember
to move up as the dance progresses to prevent a crush at one end of the
room. Other than when in a ‘square formation’ keep the sets close
together to make dancing easier - pairs of dancers should be at no more
than ‘arms length’. Dance Positions.Contra or OppositeThe other lady or man in a Longways four-hand set when all are ‘proper’.
CornerThe person on the opposite side from partner in a square set.
Inside handsHands nearest partner.
NeighbourThe other lady or man in a Longways four-hand set when one couple is ‘improper’.
ProperMen with their lady on the right when facing up towards the ‘Presence’, usually known as man’s side and lady’s side.
Improper Men with their lady on the left when facing up towards the ‘Presence’, i.e. man on lady’s side. Basic Terminology. AllemandeJoin R or L hand as instructed and turn around each other,
Balance Hop
onto right foot – crossing left foot in front. Then Hop onto left foot –
crossing right foot in front (usually precedes a swing)
Cast To turn out away from the set and move down behind other dancers.
Courtesy TurnPartners hand in hand – men moving backwards help their current partner round to face in or out of the set as directed.
Cross Change places with the person indicated – passing by the right shoulder
Do-sa-do or Back to Back Dancers pass by the right shoulder, step to right and move backwards to Back to Back place without turning. Grand ChainPartners facing each other round a ring – starting with R hand take alternate hands moving around the circle.
Gates One couple acting as ‘posts’ take inside hands with neighbour-help them round and finish all facing into the set.
Gypsy Similar to allemande - but without hands. Face each other all way round passing L or R shoulder as instructed.
Figure of Eight In
fours in long set: - Couple face couple (lady going first) cross
between the other couple and dance a figure eight round the them
finishing in original places.
Half Figure Eight as above but only dance half way to finish in partners place.
Half Promenade Promenade to change places with couple facing (See promenade).
Hands Four Four dancers join hands in a ring.
Ladies Chain Couple
facing couple, Ladies take right hand and pass each other, giving left
hand to opposite man, who places right hand on ladies waist and helps
her round behind him. Repeat back to starting position.
Promenade Couples cross hands, right hand to right and left hand to left and walk facing forward.
Reel For
3 or 4, weaving past each other passing alternate shoulders back to
original place. Usually start by passing by the right shoulder.
Right and Left Thro’ In
fours: Take right hand of opposite and dance past, turn to partner,
take left hands and change places. Repeat back to place. Turn the
shortest way in the direction you are moving i.e. Walk the shortest way
round a square.
Siding – Sharpe or ‘curly’ Similar
to ½ two hands turn to left followed immediately by ½ two hand turn to
right – but without taking hands with the other dancer.
Siding – Shaw or To the Shoulder dancers
move forward a double to meet ‘shoulder to shoulder’ and fall back
looking at each other all the time. L. or R. as instructed.
Star Put
right or left hands into middle and walk around. Dancers should hold
the opposite’s hand there should not be a ‘bunch of bananas’.
Swing Ballroom
hold, with weight mainly on the right foot which is placed outside by
outside with partner. Dropping onto this foot, pivot with partner in
clockwise direction, using left foot to transfer weight while moving
right foot.
Turn Walk
round each other, holding hands (See Allemande). Turn Single
Each dancer turns alone on the spot taking 4 steps in the process. |
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