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Scottish Country Dancing
Who needs aerobics when you can every Tuesday in the Paissandu club. It’s better than a work out IT STARTED LAST TUESDAY AND IT’S ON EVERY TUESDAY THROUGH TO OCTOBER If you’re looking for good company on a Tuesday evening, from about eight-ish, this is where you’ll find St. Andrew Society members and their friends, listening to a wee bit of music, having a wee dance, a wee natter, a wee drink or a plate of chips and enjoying the atmosphere. You can learn hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys and reels, under the patient tuition of Audrey, or just tap your feet under the table with a chopp in your hand. You’ll meet Brazilians of every nationality under the sun there, plus a couple of Scots passing through on their holidays. You don’t even have to be a member of the club, suffice it to yell at the porter “danca escocesa!” and wave your arms around like you’re being attacked by a swarm of bees. He’ll let you in and point you in the right direction. The last Tuesday of each month will be a social night. It’s a measly R$ 10.00 per month for lessons. Who said Scots are mean, eh? SEE YOU THERE !
Helpful Hints by W.M. Nicoll In order to aid the enthusiasts who are dying to practise at home and to stop the non-enthusiasts from having an excuse, I have prepared these notes on the steps and basic formations used in Scottish Country Dancing. I hope to issue from time to time further notes on the progressions and also diagrams of some of the dances being taught. 1. Dance Types The steps used in the reel and jig are the same but in the strathspey there are several differences. However in all dance forms all steps are performed ON THE TOES. 2. Steps A. Reel and Jig Steps (a) Skip Change of Step or Travelling Step This is used for forward or backward travel Movements are and count is: Count Hop - Hop on left foot (on toes) 1. Step forward on right foot (straight knee stretched toe) 2. Close left foot up (instep of left close to right foot heel) 3. Step forward with right foot Hop - Hop on right foot Repeat alternately Timing is Skip - 1, 2, 3 (1 bar of music)
(b) Pas de Basque (Pa-de-ba) This is the Setting Step Movements are and count is: Count And 1. Small step to right (weight on to right foot) 2. Left foot over in front of right foot (left heel over right big toe joint) Put weight on left foot, lift right foot 3. Weight back on right foot (flick left foot out toe pointed, leg straight) Small step to left Repeat alternately Timing is And 1, 2, 3 (1 bar of music) (c) Slip Step This is used in going round in a circle. Join hands (at shoulder level with other dancers in a circle). Count Step - Step to left 1. Close right foot to left foot and - Step to left 2. Close right foot to left foot. Repeating as required. Timing is - l and 2 and 1 and 2 (1 bar of music) This can be done in reverse direction as required.
B. Strathspey Steps There are two steps used in strathspeys. (a) Travelling Step Movements are and timing is: Count 1. Step forward on right foot 2. Bring left foot up (instep of left foot close to right heel) 3. Step forward with right foot. Hop - Carry through left foot slowly - bending knee and dragging through toe. At same time hop gently. Repeat alternately Timing is 1 - 2 - 3 - Hop (1 bar of music)
(b) Setting Step Movements are and timing is: Count 1. Step to right 2. Close left foot to right (instep of left foot to right heel) 3. Step to right again Hop - Hop gently on right foot at same time bring left foot behind right foot toe pointing down and just above heel. Repeat in opposite direction with other foot Timing is 1 - 2 - 3 Hop (1 Bar of music) -x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x- You now have the basic tools necessary to do Scottish Country Dancing. Remember - all steps are done on toes
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