strathspey@strathspey.org:40443

Brian Charlton

Cross over two couples. Was: Lead - Right hands or Nearer Hands

Jan. 28, 2005, 5:49 a.m. (Message 40443, in reply to message 40425)

G'Day,

This certainly seems possible. I have a CD of Julian Bream playing dances by
John Dowland (1563-1626) and the programme notes describe the Galliard as
being "a quick dance to slow music".

This could have carried forward into the next century.

It is certainly possible to dance in reel time to Strathspey music, as
happens when the teacher (woops) plays the wrong track!

Incidentally, a "gigge" (jig) was described in 1676 as "only fit for
Fantastical and Easy-Light-Headed People".

Brian Charlton,
Sydney, Australia