Hop in Strathspey...

Hugh Goldie

Message 5743 · 28 Nov 1996 19:26:08 · Fixed-width font · Whole thread

I had my first strathspey lessons from George Emmerson at the University
of Western Ontario SCD class in 1979. George taught a lift, I think. The
main things I remember are George's wonderful technique and him shouting
in a fine, cheerful Scot's accent: "STOP THAT SCLIFFING"! He referred to
the noise he heard as the dancers' feet slid along the floor.

I think it is important to have a nice solid, but momentary, contact of
the weight bearing foot with the floor on each step. Sliding is very
common and spoils the magic. There should be a subdued intensity,
strength and lightness which does not happen when one slides.

Hugh Goldie, Saskatoon scottish Country Dancers
xxxxxx@xxxx.xxxxx.xx