Half Diagonal Reel Of Four
The Half diagonal reel of four is a particularly common Figure which is exactly half of the Diagonal reel of four; it takes 4 bars and interchanges the Corners.It is usually followed by another Half diagonal reel of four with the other Corners; although the Middle dancers should strictly pass By the left between these Reels, it has become common practice to pass By the right and, indeed, this is often now specified by devisers.
In bars 9-24 of Mairi's Wedding, the 1st Couple Dance four successive Half diagonal reels of four, starting by Facing, successively, their 1st Corners, their 2nd Corners, their 1st Corners in their Partner's First corner positions and their 2nd Corners in their Partner's Second corner positions.
As devised, the Dancing couple should pass By the left between the Half diagonal reels of four though only the more pedantic Scottish Country Dancers insist upon doing this nowadays.
Here are examples of those Scottish Country Dances for which we have instructions on this site and in which the term, Half diagonal reels of four, either appears explicitly or is implied; note that for a common term these will be a small selection; for a rare term, these may be all that exist:
Back To Bach
Bluebell Strathspey
Duncan Gray
Friday's Child
Jubilee Line
Mrs Stewart Of Fasnacloich
Recumbent Stone
Renwick Reel
Sugar Loaf Jig
Torridon Lassies
Links To Pages Related To 'Reel(s) Of Four'
FiguresAdditional search terms: ½ Diag reels of 4.
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