strathspey@strathspey.org:23193

David MacDuff

Balance vs. Set in Lines

Oct. 22, 2000, 11:38 p.m. (Message 23193)

It has slipped into common usage in some dance groups
to refer to set in lines (i. e. in a longwise set, men
join hands facing ladies, who join hands and set with
the pas de basque or common scottishe) as balance,
especially in the context of balance, cross over,
balance, cross back.

This isn't really correct is it? Balance should be
reserved for when dancers face in opposite directions
as in: 

1st couple turn with the right hand, cast off one
place (2nd couple move up), 1st couple turn with the
left hand to finish joining right hands with 1st
corners to balance.

Or is it now OK to use the term balance for setting in
line where it would be obvious that dancers are not
facing in alternate opposite directions?


David Kilgore Aldridge