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Flattened reels (was Lead - Right hands or Nearer Hands)
Jan E Rudge
Jan. 26, 2005, 8:09 p.m. (Message 40413)
Goss wrote: >> ...a "flattening the reels", a new term I learned at St Andrews. If the entire set dances the full (unflat reel), their natural curve also brings them into position for the advance and retire. Reels should only be flattened (cut short, or six bar) by the ends if the next figure requires it, those loops are traditional, even where the RSCDS defines 6 bars with 1s crossing on 7 & 8 - editorial comment not connected with this thread. << I thought that "flattening reels" meant taking a straighter line i.e. not doing large loops (and in particular, not going outside the sidelines) - nothing to do with how many bars are being danced. Also I thought that if a reel is described as "full" it is to emphasise that it is a complete reel, as in "a full reel of three" as opposed to a "half reel of three" or a "six-bar reel of three", and has nothing to do with whether the reels are flat or have large loops. Honestly, with all the misunderstandings in terminology, it's a wonder we can get around the dancefloor without bumping into each other all the time! Jan Beaconsfield, UK RSCDS London Branch
Goss wrote: >> ...a "flattening the reels", a new term I learned at St Andrews. If the entire set dances the full (unflat reel), their natural curve also brings them into position for the advance and retire. Reels should only be flattened (cut short, or six bar) by the ends if the next figure requires it, those loops are traditional, even where the RSCDS defines 6 bars with 1s crossing on 7 & 8 - editorial comment not connected with this thread. << Part of your post is an example of the problem of excess jargon. A reel is a reel is a reel. There is no reason to say "full" as opposed to half. When I used the word "full" I was speaking standard, as opposed to RSCDS, English. By definition and default, a reel is an 8 bar figure where all parties complete the track. My use of full meant just this, not as opposed to a half reel. The concept of completing one´s track in a cripled sort of way has no history prior to the RSCDS. I feel that in its effort to be helpful, the Society created another problem by creating a new figure where the dancers dance the reel in 6 bars, using the last two bars as a one´s solo as the 2s & 3s do nothing. Sometimes, it is necessary to adjust one´s pattern to make the figure work with the one following. This is simply common sense. On the other hand, in many cases where the Society notes have inserted their six bar reel, with intelligent phrasing there is no reason why all the dancers can not continue dancing for the entire 8 bars. "I thought that "flattening reels" meant taking a straighter line i.e. not doing large loops (and in particular, not going outside the sidelines)". Using standard English, again, this is what I thought before St Andrews this year, straighter lines (I would say less of a curve). However there, and later at two weekend course, I have heard the desciples teaching as if a "flat reel" is some sort of new figure or variant of the old one. Personally, except for those with demonitis, I would prefer to dance and teach as if the dancers know where they are supposed to end up, and let them determine how flat the reel needs to be in any specific situation. "nothing to do with how many bars are being danced." I only mentioned the bars, because a "flat" reel tends to be the result when the reel is only 6 bars. In the case of St Andrews this year, the "flattening" was also occuring in 8 bar reels as well. "... with all the misunderstandings in terminology, it's a wonder we can get around the dancefloor without bumping into each other all the time!" My point exactly, we need less terminology and more understanding of the dancing process. I magine me trying to do a flat reel with another person from the large curve reel school of thought. Do I have to stop on the floor and say, "you can´t be here, this is a flat reel"? : ) Before I got my certificate, I used to dance the full 8 in a "6 bar reel" when I should have stopped, and people seldom noticed, and I never collided with anyone, or got in the first couple´s way. The trouble with unnecessary terms, rules, exceptions, jargon, is that when one ignores them and the sky does not fall, it makes one tend to disrespect other rules they don´t understand, when they really are important. Goss