Mirror Covering
Covering is the technique of fine tuning by which the symmetry is maintained. (See Covering for greater detail)The following are examples of Scottish Country Dancing Figures where Mirror covering may need care.
- Mirror reels of three on the Sides (as in bars 9-16 and 25-32 of Seton's Ceilidh Band where the Dancers must consciously hold back).
- Mirror reels of four on the Sides (as in bars 17-24 of Rob Roy where the Dancers must move quickly but where they can make the Figure neater by briefly Taking Nearer hands whenever possible).
- Mirror Figures of eight on the sides (as in bars 9-16 of Neidpath Castle where the Dancers must consciously hold back).
- Casting more than one Place (as in bars 17-22 of Cumberland Reel where 6 bars are allocated rather than the expected 4).
Mirror covering is usually much easier than Parallel covering because the Dancers either face each other or can see each other by glancing sideways at most stages in the Figure; the Dancers can simplify the Covering as well as adding elegance by Taking Nearer hands whenever they approach each other, and releasing them appropriately, in Mirror reels of three (see the upper diagram), mirror Figures of eight on the sides (see the lower diagram) and Mirror reels of four on the Sides.
Links To Pages Related To 'Covering'
TimingBack to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing 'Mirror Covering' page