Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

6-Bar Figures

The following Figures require 6 bars of music; this is a relatively unusual Time allocation and so, even where it is the standard, some comment is included.

Cast down more than one Place:
this is a rare form which appears in bars 17-22 of the standard version of Cumberland Reel; like the 6-bar Lead up which follows it, this is strongly counter-intuitive and so makes this version of the dance unsuitable for teaching Beginners (alternatives with 4 bars allocated, such as The Cumberland Jig are much more intuitive).

Courage reels:
this basic Scottish Country Dancing Figure is usually performed twice or four times in succession.

Crown triangles:
this most common form normally follows a 2-bar Figure which is used to get the Dancing couple to their Starting Position.

Hello-goodbye poussette:
This is the initial 6 bars of the deviser's assignment for the Figure which is preferrable because it is invariant; his 8-bar assignment is consistent with tradition but is inconvenient due to the potential variability of the final 2 bars.

Hello-goodbye setting:
This is the initial 6 bars of the traditional assignment for the Figure which is preferrable because it is invariant; the traditional 8-bar assignment is inconvenient due to the extreme variability of the final 2 bars.

La baratte:
this standard Time allocation for the Figure is most commonly preceded by Setting to make up the 8-bar phrase.

Lead up more than one Place:
this is a rare form which appears in bars 23-28 of the standard version of Cumberland Reel; like the 6-bar Cast down which precedes it, this is strongly counter-intuitive and so makes this version of the dance unsuitable for teaching Beginners (alternatives with 4 bars allocated are eminently suitable).

Reel of three:
this is used when the initial or, more commonly, the final 2 bars of the 8-bar Phrase are needed for another Figure; for example, it is prescribed for bars 25-30 of Duke of Perth, of The Montgomeries' Rant and of General Stuart's Reel, so that the Dancing couple can Cross on bars 31-32 and so reach their Own sides ready for the next Repeat.

Saltire:
the Half Figure, three repeats of the basic element.


Links To Pages Related To 'Time Allocations'

Timing

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