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Iain Boyd

Iain Boyd

Dancing in five-couple and seven-couple sets (was Glasgow Highlanders)

June 15, 2006, 11:47 p.m. (Message 45568)

Is this not a general issue though around 2 couple progression dances? If
I have 5 couples in my class I often use 2 couple progression dances to
allow everyone to participate. But it does mean that the couples starting
as 1 and 5 have little chance to dance the "opposite direction" position. 
If the number of couples reach 7 they have no chance.

Campbell Tyler
Cape Town
  Dear Campbell,
   
  With the small group I am currently teaching I use the following techniques - 
   
  Firstly, I tend to continue to dance three-couple dances.
   
  Five couples - 
   
  We form one set and I get the fourth and fifth couples to dance the
  sequence once each - ie fourth couple dances once and finishes in
  second place then the fifth couple starts.
   
  However, I must admit that this does leave the bottom two couples
  standing around doing nothing at the end of the dance.
   
  Seven couples - 
   
  We use the 'beg and borrow' concept - ie the top three couples form
  one set while the bottom four couples form the other set. When the
  first couple in the bottom set are dancing their second-time through
  the (usually) free couple at the top acts as fourth couple for the
  top set.
   
  The dancers in the top set are more active and should be the more
  able and/or fit dancers.
   
  Six couples - 
   
  I get the group to form two three-couple sets. 
   
  If the dance is suitable (ie the beginning and/or ending of the
  dance is not to frenetic) then I will ask the dancers to perform the
  dance and go to the bottom and then repeat with a new top couple. We
  usually do the dance only six times.
   
  However, if the formations do not allow for this then I will get the
  two sets to dance alternatively.
   
  The downside is that dancers are standing around watching and not
  participating but at least we can continue to do three-couple
  dances.
   
  Regards,
   
  Iain Boyd
   

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