strathspey@strathspey.org:28002

e.ferguson

Lead up - which hand?

Nov. 1, 2001, 1:23 p.m. (Message 28002)

On 31 Oct 2001, at 10:51, Bob Mc Murtry <xxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx> wrote 
(on Dalkeith's Strathspey):  

> Also on bars 9-16 the first couple should take care not to rush to
> the top of the set into positions for a reel of four. First man
> should see to getting his partner facing 2nd man. 

and <xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx> added

Right. On bar 16, as first man, I like to lead my partner a fraction 
above second couple, and turn a little anti-clockwise. In this way, 
the first couple flow nicely into the reel of four.   

Which hands should 1C use?  The description says "lead", but in these 
older books the usage "lead = RH joined" and "dance = nearer hand 
joined (NHJ)" was not yet established.

1C starts NHJ out of the circle; the most natural way would be to 
keep NHJ dancing down.

Up the middle, LHJ would allow 1M to bring his partner across to 2M 
far more elegantly than NHJ or, still worse, RHJ.  The same applies 
in many other dances where 1C leads up to face 1st corners.

Why do we have a strong tradition of RHJ when LHJ is more elegant and 
gives better contact with your partner?  Should not tradition aim to 
promote the best choreography?  Can anyone tell us how the tradition 
arose, and why it should be applicable in this case?

Enjoy your up-the-middles,

Eric


Eric T. Ferguson, van Dormaalstraat 15, NL-5624 KH  EINDHOVEN, Netherlands
tel: (+31)(0)40-243 2878 fax:40-246 7036  e-mail: x.xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xx