Allemande

This section covers Allemande as a Scottish Country Dancing Figure, though the term is often used to indicate that some other Figure should be performed using Allemande hold as, for example, in bars 73-80 of The Robertson Rant where the Couples Chase anticlockwise around the 4-couple square set.

Allemande exists in versions for two, three or four Couples; all require a Travelling step to be used throughout the 8-bar Figure.

The Couples must start on the Centre line Facing Up at the beginning of the 8-bar phrase. There is no time at the beginning of the Figure to reach the Centre line from the Side lines; any stationary Couple must dance into the Centre line on the last bar of the preceding Figure, using the left foot step of Skip change (diagram 4) or of the Strathspey travelling step (diagram 10); those Couples performing the previous Figure must adapt the ending so as to Finish on the Centre line.

Allemande is best preceded by a movement which naturally Finishes on the Centre line, such as Turn by the right or Promenade which can be adapted to Finish there.

See Allemande for 2 couples, Allemande for 3 couples and Allemande for 4 couples for precise details of these specific forms of the Figure.

The following Scottish Country Dances require one or other of these forms of Allemande:
Duchess Tree
Shepherd's Crook
Mathematicians
None So Pretty
Peggy's Love
Peggy's Wedding
Byron Strathspey
Jean Martin Of Aberdeen
Tribute To The Borders
Trip To The Drakensberg


Links to Pages Related to 'Allemande'
Complex Figures
Allemande
The Bourrel
Courage Reels
En Rond
Espagnole
Inveran Reels
Kilt Pin Reel
The Knot
La Baratte
Pass And Turn
Poussette Movements
Promenade
Rondel
Sash Pin Reel
Schiehallion Reels
Set And Link
Set And Rotate
The Spoke
The Spurtle
The Swirl
The Targe
The Tourbillon
The Tournee

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