strathspey@strathspey.org:28007

Adam Hughes

Re: Lead up - which hand?

Nov. 1, 2001, 5 p.m. (Message 28007, in reply to message 28005)

Eric Ferguson wrote:
> 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?

Why is LHJ more elegant?  Or are you suggesting it only in the case of
the Dalkeith Strathspey?

I find RHJ gives the man better "control of the lead" going down the
set, while LHJ is better coming up; that is, I prefer to "lead" with the
hand further from my partner.

I assume whoever at the RSCDS chose to standardise the lead to RH was
looking for a simple rule.  It makes it easier for us to dance all
together if there are fewer exceptions.

I've always thought tradition is the way it is done, and since our
tradition is kept alive by teachers, and teachers like rules, we have a
rule driven tradition.

Adam