The Diamond Reel
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
The Diamond ReelMaggie and Duncan Keppie Haliburton School Of Arts SCD Book 7:
5x48 bar Reel
5-couple dance in 4-couple diamond with one couple in middle
1-8 CIRCLE: Circle and back around the 5th couple who set to each other ending facing the gap between 2nd and 3rd couples at the foot of the set;
9-16 CAST AND TEAPOTS: 5th couple separate and dance out, 5th man between 1st and 2nd couples, 5th woman between 3rd and 4th couples, then 5th man dances around behind 2nd couple into right hands across with 2nd couple AS 5th woman dances around behind 3rd couple into left hands across with 3rd couple;
17-24 CAST AND TEAPOTS: 5th couple separate and dance out, 5th man between 2nd and 3rd couples, 5th woman between 3rd and 4th couples, then 5th man dances around behind 2nd couple into left hands across with 2nd couple AS 5th woman dances around behind 4th couple into right hands across with 4th couple;
25-32 PROMENADE REELS OF 3: 5th man dances a reel of 3 with 2nd and 1st couples who are in promenade hold (5th man starts by passing 2nd couple by the right shoulder) AS 5th woman dance a reel of 3 with 3rd and 4th couples who are in promenade hold (1st woman start by passing 3rd couple by the left shoulder);
33-40 PROMENADE REELS OF 3: 5th couple cross over into reel on other side: 5th man dances a reel of 3 with 3rd and 4th couples who are in promenade hold (5th man starts by passing 3rd couple by the left shoulder) AS 5th woman dance a reel of 3 with 2nd and 1st couples who are in promenade hold (1st woman start by passing 3rd couple by the right shoulder);
41-48 OUT AND CHASE AROUND: 5th couple (woman on left side of partner) dance out the foot of the set between 2nd and 3rd couples, turn to the right and dance a chase clockwise around the set ending in 1st couple's place (who step into the center).
Repeat the dance with each couple taking a turn in the center: the axis of the set rotates ΒΌ with each new couple in the center, i.e. 1st couple faces the right hand side of the set, 2nd couple faces the top of the set, 3rd couple faces the left hand side of the set, and 4th couple faces the foot of the set. 5th couple ends the dance back in the middle with the other couples one place clockwise of their original places.
(Dance crib compiled by the devisers, Maggie and Duncan Keppie)
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