The Aiken Tree
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
THE AIKEN TREE (J4x32) 4C set Jean Attwood Alexander Book 21- 8 1L followed by 1M also 4M followed by 4L cast in 1 place, 1L and 4M cross to opposite sides and all dance ½ RSh reel of 4 on sides. 3(4)(1)2
9-16 Repeat with 3L and 2M leading all ending in partners' original places. 1234
17-24 1s+2s also 3s+4s dance ½ RH across, set, 1s+4s dance ½ LH across and set
25-32 4s and 1s dance ½ Figs of 8 round end couples and all turn partners RH. 2413
(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)
The Aiken Tree
Jean Attwood Alexander Book 2
Jig 4 x 32 bars 4 Couple Repeat 4 Couple Set Longwise Set
1-2 1L cast to finish behind 2L WHILE 1M cross WHILE 4M cast up to finish behind 3M WHILE 4L cross;
3-4 WHILE 2s step up and 3s step down, 1L cross WHILE 1M cast WHILE 4M cross WHILE 4L cast up, finishing 2s1s4s3s, 1s 4s on opposite sides, 1s facing up, 4s facing down;
5-8 2M1L4L3M 2L1M4M3L half reels of 4 on the sides, finishing 3s4s1s2s, 4s 1s on opposite sides;
9-16 Repeat bars 1-8 from new places, 3s 4s 2s 1s dancing as 1s 2s 3s 4s, respectively, finishing 1s2s3s4s, all on opposite sides;
17-18 1s2s 3s4s right hands across halfway;
19-20 2s1s4s3s set on the sides;
21-22 1s4s left hands across halfway;
23-24 4s1s set on the sides;
25-28 4s cross up, 1s down into half figures of 8 across, finishing on own sides;
29-32 2s 4s 1s 3s turn by the right.
(MAXICRIB. Scottish country dancing instructions compiled by Reuben Freemantle)
Dance Notes
1-2 There is a risk of collision in 1L's and 4M's places if 2s attempt to step up and 3s down at this time; also, 2L's and 3M's places are still occupied and so 1L should finish behind 2L and 4M behind 3M.
Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams
Dance Instruction Videos
The Aiken Tree - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction VideoDance Information
Aiken means oaken, made of oak.Aiken Or Oak Tree
Image copyright Philip Halling under this Creative Commons Licence 2.0.
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