strathspey@strathspey.org:40676

Angus Henry

Nor' Loch

Feb. 15, 2005, 11:42 a.m. (Message 40676, in reply to message 40673)

On 15 Feb 2005, at 17:48, Richard Goss wrote:

> As to your question, many historical sources simply said "hands round" 
> and the locals automaticly knew that this, if unmodified, was an  8 
> bar figure where all dancers in the minor set joined hands circled to 
> the left and back to the right. As sets and dances became more 
> complicated more information had to be added. Where before hands round 
> in a duple minor set meant 4 people, triple minor meant 6, it now 
> became necessary to add words. For example, in a triple minor set 
> after the 1s have progressed, one would have to say something such as 
> "hands 4 with the couple above (or below)" the two extra people to 
> know when to stand down.

Thanks to all who responded; my alarm bells rang when I saw that the 
first 8 bars of the dance were described as "8 hands round" and the 
last 8 bars as "8 hands round and back" - there seemed to be an implied 
difference there!

Angus
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