Set And Rotate For 3 Couples
The Figure, Set and rotate for 3 couples, is a derivative of Set and rotate with an extra Couple; while it does interchange the Positions of the Top and Bottom Couples in a 3 Couple, Longwise set, it is not a conventional Progression. It occurs in Quick tempo dances and Strathspeys.Set and rotate for 3 couples requires 8 bars; most commonly, as in bars 17-24 of Kamo Karousel, it Starts with 3rd Couple in 1st Place, 1st Couple in 2nd Place and 2nd Couple in 3rd Place, all Facing In. From these Positions:
Bar 1
All Take hands On the sides, Set (right foot step) Facing Partners and release the Hold;
Bar 2
all Set (left foot step), Turning on the spot (a whole Turn for the Top man and Bottom lady, three quarters for 1st Couple and half for Top lady and Bottom Man) to Finish Facing clockwise around the Corners' square;
Bars 3-4
all Chase clockwise one quarter around the Corners' square, Finishing with Men in 1st Position, Ladies in 3rd Position, all Facing Partners;
Bars 5-6
2nd Couple and 3rd Couple Cross up and down on the sides While 1st Couple Cross up and down on the centre line, all Finishing Facing clockwise;
Bars 7-8
all Chase clockwise one quarter around the Corners' square, Finishing 2nd Couple in 1st Place, 1st Couple in 2nd Place, 3rd Couple in 3rd Place.
Note that the Hold must be released promptly at the end of bar 1; otherwise, it is difficult to Turn on the spot by the required amount in bar 2. In the Strathspey form, the sideways movement on bar 1 should be made smaller than normal and the Dancers should release their Hold and begin to Pull right shoulder back in the second half of that bar so that Turning on the spot in bar 2 is easier.
Here are examples of those Scottish Country Dances for which we have instructions on this site and in which the term, Set and rotate for 3 couples, either appears explicitly or is implied; note that for a common term these will be a small selection; for a rare term, these may be all that exist:
Berkhamsted Medley
Festival Man
Hidden Assets
Miss Margaret MacIndeor
Music And The Dance
Roundabout (Keppie)
Twisted Yet Again
Two Wise Old Owls - Female
Worbarrow Bay
Ye Olde Pussy Cat
Dance Video Clip Which Demonstrates Set And Rotate For 3 Couples
Set And Rotate For 3 Couples Video ClipLinks To Pages Related To 'Set And Rotate'
Complex FiguresAdditional search terms: Set+Rotate.
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