Hello-Goodbye Setting

Although Hello-goodbye setting is formally known as Set to corners and partner, this more casual name is much more commonly used. In the standard form in a Longwise set as, for example in bars 17-24 of General Stuart's Reel, the Dancing couple, in 2nd Place, start back to back in the centre of The set Facing their First corners and, while performing a succession of Travelling movements and clockwise rotations On the spot (using Setting steps only), proceed anticlockwise round the Inside of The set for 8 bars and so Finish ready to Give right shoulders to Second corners for Reels of three on Opposite sides.

Bar 1
the Scottish Country Dancing couple and First corners perform the right foot Setting step;

Bar 2
While the First corners perform the left foot Setting step normally, the Dancing couple take a large step to the left (as shown in Diagram 52) on the first beat to 2nd Place on Opposite sides of the dance and rotate on the remainder of the step to Face each other Across The set;

Diagram 52 - Hello-Goodbye Setting Bar 2 - Full Size

Bar 3
the Dancing couple perform the right foot Setting step Facing each other Across The set;

Bar 4
the Dancing couple take a large step to the left (as shown in Diagram 53) on the first beat to the Second corners' Diagonal and rotate on the remainder of the step to Face Second corners;

Diagram 53 - Hello-Goodbye Setting Bar 4 - Full Size

Bar 5
the Dancing couple and Second corners perform the right foot Setting step;

Bar 6
While the Second corners perform the left foot Setting step normally, the Dancing couple take a large step to the left (as shown in Diagram 54) on the first beat to the Centre line of the dance, Man between the Top couple, Lady between the Bottom couple and rotate on the remainder of the step to Face each other Up and down the dance;

Diagram 54 - Hello-Goodbye Setting Bar 6 - Full Size

Bar 7
the Dancing couple perform the right foot Setting step Facing each other Up and down the dance (as shown in Diagram 55);

Diagram 55 - Hello-Goodbye Setting Bar 7 - Full Size

Bar 8
the Dancing couple perform the left foot Setting step rotating to Face Second corners ready to Give right shoulders While the Corners Face appropriately for the next Figure.

This ending is suitable to be followed by Reels of three on Opposite sides. In derivative forms, the Dancing couple may start from some other Corner, there may be more than one Dancing couple and the ending may be changed to suit an alternative following Figure.

For example, in bars 9-16 of Wicked Willy, the 1st and 4th Couples are the Dancing couples, they start Facing their Partners' First corners at the Top and Bottom of the Longwise, 4 Couple repeat in 4 couple set and replace bar 8 by a movement as in bar 4 so that they Finish Facing their own First corners ready to Turn by the right.

In a Strathspey, the right foot steps on bars 1, 3 and 5 should be made quite short so that the Travelling movement can readily be achieved on the following left foot step.

For example, here are some Scottish Country Dances in which the term, Hello-goodbye setting, is used in either the Minicrib or the Maxicrib Dance instructions or both -
Burning The Water.
Butterfly Bride
Cruives Of Cree
Drumduan Cottage
Findhorn In Flood
On Suilven In Summer
Talisman
Thornhill Strathspey
Three Kings Of Cullen
Tocher Band
Trip To Windsor
Wilma's Hornpipe

Figures

Setting

Balancing
Balance (In Line)
Crown Triangles
Double Triangles
Hello-Goodbye Setting
Set
Set Advancing
Set Advancing And Retire
Set In Line
Set On The Side (Line)s
Set To First Corners
Set To Second Corners
Set Twice
Set Up And Down
Turn On The Spot

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