2 Aug
2010
2 Aug
'10
4:28 a.m.
Luke Donev wrote:
A dancer friend asked me about initial formation
terminology, and I
wasn't sure so I thought I'd ask the hive mind.
In contra sets with hands four, if neither the 1s nor
2s cross over,
it's proper formation (specifically duple minor I believe). If the 1s
cross, it's improper.
Correct on duple minor - "duple" because it's a two-couple figure.
If the 1s cross and the whole set rotates 1/4 circle,
it's Becket.
If the 1s don't cross over but the 2s do, I've
called that formation
indecent. I'm not sure how widespread that use is.
Joseph Pimentel has spread that name for the formation around.
If the 1s and the 2s cross? I'd be inclined
towards anti-proper or
maybe improper-indecent (a mouthful). This was the question that
prompted the query.
Unaware of standard name for this ofrmation.
Triple minor dances are hands six, and can be proper
or with some
couples crossed over... I don't know specific sub-names.
Tempest formation is a wide n shape of four couples,
actives in the
middle facing down, inactives on the sides facing in.
There's circle dances and Sicillian circles of
facing couples. There's
four couple square dance formation, five couples for Levi Jackson's
rag, Morris and rapper formations and more. But are there other contra
formations and if so what are they called?
A circle of couples all facing the same way. (Not unknown for mixers.)
There's a circle of couples all facing in. (Single circle.)
A circle of men facing out surrounded by a circle of women facing in. (Double
circle.)
Four-face-fours in column or Sicilian circle.
(Portland Fancy or Mescolanza or Double Sicilian)
Three-face-three. (Historically, "the Swedish dance" - a name assigned by
English dancing masters. I usually say "threesome Sicilian." "Rustic
Reel" is
an American example.)
There are triplets, which are three-couple longways. (Not aware of specific
sub-names for 1s improper or 2s improper.) Is it "traditional" if Ted Sanella
named the formation?
Then there's various scatter mixer formations, where two or three people start
somewhere in no relation to any other couple, then break up and find other
people.
Does that help?
-- Alan
--
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Alan Winston --- WINSTON(a)SSRL.SLAC.STANFORD.EDU
Disclaimer: I speak only for myself, not SLAC or SSRL Phone: 650/926-3056
Paper mail to: SSRL -- SLAC BIN 99, 2575 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park CA 94025
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