Allemande Derivatives

Inverted Allemande

In this form of Allemande, the basic Figure is performed in the normal way but with the Dancers Positions Diagonally reflected, i.e., rotated 180° so that the Couples Start on Opposite sides of the Centre line, Facing Down with the Bottom Couple leading. Although superficially similar to The knot, it is quite different in detail. Note that MiniCrib uses the term "Inverse" for this form.

In bars 9-16 of Auld Lang Syne, Allemande for 2 couples is performed Inverted. This naturally Finishes with the Couples on Opposite sides and having Progressed.

In several dances, Allemande for 2 couples is performed by the Top couples While Inverted allemande for 2 couples is performed by the Bottom couples.

In bars 9-16 of The World Turned Upside Down by Iain Boyd, Allemande for 3 couples is performed Inverted by 4th, 5th and 6th Couples (While 1st, 2nd and 3rd Couples perform Allemande for 3 couples). Again the Inverted allemande naturally Finishes with the Couples on Opposite sides and with the normal Progression.

In interlocking forms, a standard form of Allemande and an adjacent Inverted allemande overlap in some way so that the Finishing order is slightly modified. For example, in bars 17-24 of Alister MacLeay, 1st and 2nd couples Dance Allemande for 2 couples While 3rd and 4th couples Dance the Inverted allemande for 2 couples with a slight modification to bar 4 of the Figure; the leading Couples extend their Travel Down/Up the Sidelines so that they Pass and so Finish in the order 2413 rather than 2143.

Circulating allemande for 2 couples, as in bars 17-24 of The Magic Roundabout (Freemantle), and Circulating allemande (for 3 couples), as in bars 17-24 of Mr David W Mitchell, are more complicated combinations of the standard and Inverted forms in which one Couple Dance the Inverted form, wholly overlapping with the others Dancing the standard form, or vice versa. Note that MiniCrib uses the term "Interlocking" for this combination though we prefer to reserve that term for the overlapping of complete, rather than partial, forms of Allemande.

This is a combination of Allemande for 2 couples Danced by 1st couple from 1st position While 2nd couple Dance Poussette (for 2 couples) from 2nd position, or vice versa. It is difficult to regard it as other than a Figure of mixed parentage; Allemande requires the eponymous Hold and is Danced to Skip change whereas Poussette requires a tight Both hands Hold and is Danced to Pas-de-basque. Covering is not meaningful in the single form but some element of Diagonal covering is possible where 1st and 2nd couples Dance Allepousse While 3rd and 4th couples Dance Allepousse Inverted, as in bars 25-32 of The Carleton Jig.

Dance Video Clip Which Demonstrates Inverted Allemande (for 2 Couples)

Dance Video Clip Which Demonstrates Allepousse

Links To Pages Related To 'Allemande'