Step Up (or Down) in Strathspeys
In Scottish Country Dancing, Step Up (or Down) in Strathspeys is a sideways Travelling Step used for moving Up or Down one Place in a Longwise set.The movements are exactly as in Step up or down under Steps for jigs reels and hornpipes though performed much more slowly, in keeping with the slower tempo. The upper diagram shows the left foot step with the straight sideways movement; while it is rarely needed in Strathspeys, deviation from the straight sideways movement (for use when Time is short) is shown in the right foot step in the lower diagram.
Stepping To The Left
Stepping To The Right
See Fitting The Steps To The Music for those details covering this and the other six basic steps of Scottish Country Dancing.
Here are examples of those Scottish Country Dances for which we have instructions on this site and in which the term, Step Up (or Down) in Strathspeys, 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:
Balgownie Brig
Chain Walk
Crossmichael
Dunsinane
George Keith
Honeysuckle And The Bindweed (Bradley)
Marklands
Dance Video Clip Which Demonstrates Stepping Up or Down in Strathspeys
Step Up Or Down In Strathspeys Video ClipLinks To Pages Related To 'Steps for Strathspeys'
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