Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

4-Bar Figures

The following Figures require 4 bars of music; where this is not the standard Time allocation and where alternative Time allocations apply, some comment is included.

Advance and retire.

Allemande left.

Allemande right.

Cast down or Cast up one Place:
this is a rarer form in which, when performed by a Couple, the Dancers initially approach each other before Casting rather than Turn on the spot.

Cast down or Cast up two or more Places:
this is the normal Time allocation.

Chase halfway.

Crown triangles:
this is an unusual form which interchanges the Positions of the Dancing man and the Dancing lady.

Dance in and cast Down or Up one Place:
this is the normal Time allocation even for two Places.

Dos-à-dos.

Flirt and cast.

Half diagonal rights and lefts.

Half diagonal reel of four.

Half reel of three Diagonally.

Half grand chain:
this Timing is rather rushed; it is acceptable in Strathspeys but difficult in Quick tempo dances.

Half ladies' chain.

Half men's chain.

Half reel of four.

Half reel of three.

Half rights and lefts.

Hands round to the left.

Hands round to the right.

Lead down or Lead up two or more Places:
this is the normal Time allocation.

Left hands across.

One-third schiehallion reel:
the basic element as defined in Complex Figures.

Quarter petronella.

Quarter schiehallion reel:
the basic element as defined in Complex Figures.

Reverse snake.

Right hands across.

Onesome reel:
the quarter form as defined in Complex Figures.

Set advancing and retire.

Set and link for three.

Set and point.

Set (Coupé pas-de-basque setting step).

Set (Glasgow Highlanders' setting step).

Set (Highland Schottische setting step).

Set (Pas-de-basque coupé setting step).

Strathspey half poussette.

Smoke.

Snake.

Spurtle:
this modified form of Half reel of four is often repeated with all the Couples in The set.

Theme:
this is the Time allocation for the basic element which, in The Celtic Brooch dances, is repeated twice more from the new Positions to complete the full, 12-bar, form.

Turn:
a less usual allocation, mostly found in Quick tempo dances.


Links To Pages Related To 'Time Allocations'

Timing

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