March 25, 2006, 3:01 a.m. (Message 44877, in reply to message 44876)
Unfortunately, two chords for dances where 3rd and 4th couples or 2nd and 4th couples or (occasionally) 1st and 3rd couples cross over before beginning is, in my mind, not the norm. It is a custom that was introduced by John Drewry and which has been taken up by some other devisers who have devised similar dances. When I have devised dances of this sort I have provided a diagram or instructions specifying the 'starting positions'. I do not like two chords for positioning purposes and do not specify them in the instructions for my dances and would prefer that two chords not be used. However, local custom will often prevail. Regards, Iain Boyd I completely agree with Iain and I'd go as far as to say that if dancers originally stand on the traditional side of the set in such dances they are in fact in the "wrong" or "inappropriate" place. Simon Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.yahoo.com