The Slip Knot For 3 Couples
The exceptionally rare Figure, The slip knot for 3 couples, is a derivative of The knot for 3 couples to which it is identical throughout for one Couple and for the first 6 bars for the other two Couples. Like the precursor, it requires 8 bars in all in a Longwise set and uses the Travelling step appropriate to the Tempo. Also, like the precursor, it is a Progression but it leaves the Couples disposed differently. It occurs in bars 25-32 of Albatrosses and Shearwaters.For convenience, the identical, first 6 bars of instructions for The knot for 3 couples are reproduced here but, for other considerations which are common to both, see the precursor. When performed by 1st, 2nd and 3rd Couples, from their Original Places, the movements for 3rd Couple, who are the leaders, are as follows:
Bars 1-2
Turn By the right halfway, 3rd Lady continuing to Turn on the spot, clockwise, under her Partner's arm, Finishing on the Centre line, Facing Down in Allemande Hold;
Bar 3
retaining Allemande Hold, Turn By the left one quarter (3rd Man Turning on the spot) and Dance Out to the Ladies' side line, 3rd Man Finishing in 3rd Lady's Place;
Bar 4
retaining Allemande Hold, Turn By the left one quarter (3rd Man Turning on the spot) and Dance Up the Ladies' side line one Place;
Bar 5
retaining Allemande Hold, continue to Dance Up the Ladies' side line until 3rd Man reaches 1st Lady's Place, release the right hand and Turn By the left one quarter, 3rd Man Turning on the spot, Finishing in the Ladies' side line with 3rd Lady Above 3rd Man;
Bar 6
changing to an Open hold, Turn By the left one quarter, at the same time moving Across the set to Finish on Opposite Sides of the Centre line in 1st Position;
For 2nd Couple, who follow 3rd Couple, the movements are as follows:
Bars 1-2
as for 3rd Couple;
Bar 3
retaining Allemande Hold, Dance Down the Centre line to 3rd Position and Turn By the left one quarter with an Open hold, 2nd Man Turning on the spot;
Bar 4
retaining Allemande Hold, Dance Out to the Ladies' side line and Turn By the left one quarter (2nd Man Turning on the spot and Finishing in 3rd Lady's Place);
Bar 5
retaining Allemande Hold, Dance Up the Ladies' side line one Place (2nd Man Finishing in 2nd Lady's Place), release the right hand and Turn By the left one quarter (2nd Man Turning on the spot in 2nd Lady's Place);
Bar 6
as for 3rd Couple but Finishing in 2nd Position.
For 1st Couple, who follow 2nd Couple, the movements are as follows:
Bars 1-2
as for 3rd Couple;
Bar 3
retaining Allemande Hold, Dance Down the Centre line to 2nd Position;
Bar 4
as bar 3 for 2nd Couple;
Bar 5
retaining Allemande Hold, Dance Out to the Ladies' side line and Turn By the left one quarter (1st Man Turning on the spot in 3rd Lady's Place), release the right hand and Turn By the left one quarter (1st Man continuing to Turn on the spot);
Bar 6
as for 3rd Couple but Finishing in 3rd Position.
The above instructions cover the first 6 bars which are identical to those in The knot for 3 couples; thereafter, The slip knot for 3 couples differs for 3rd and 2nd Couples but not for 1st Couple who Dance exactly the same:
Bars 7-8
without releasing the Hold, 3rd and 2nd Couples join left hands and Dance Left hands across halfway, releasing the Hold to Finish on Own sides, 2nd Couple in 1st Place, 3rd Couple in 2nd Place, While 1st Couple, retaining the Hold, and making it as Open as possible, Turn By the left halfway and release the Hold to Finish on Own sides in 3rd Place.
Covering is especially important in bars 1-2 and bar 6 since all three Couples are performing the same Figure.
Here are examples of those Scottish Country Dances for which we have instructions on this site and in which the term, The slip knot for 3 couples, 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:
Dalgarven Mill
Farewell To Benbecula
Salute To Ian Robertson
Sum Of All The Parts
Thursday Dram
Twesledown
Warbarrow Bay
Dance Video Clip Which Demonstrates The Slip Knot For 3 Couples
The Slip Knot For 3 Couples Video ClipLinks To Pages Related To 'The Knot'
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