Country Dance and Song Society English Country and American Contra Dancing

The following was written for the Country Dance and Song Society by David Chandler.

Here is a brief introduction to English and American country dancing as we teach it. The most important thing is for you and others at the dance to have fun, and, for many people, knowing more about what they are doing adds to the enjoyment. Please feel free to ask the teachers/callers any questions you have to get more details about the dancing.

There are a number of different kinds of dances which can be lumped under the label "country dances." Within this general category, there are dances from England and from various regions of the United States where traditional dancing is still going on or where the interest in these forms of dancing has spread. The differences in style as well as the similarities add to the enjoyment of dancing.

English Dancing

• Historical Dances: These dances, many dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, have been revived because of the interesting variety of figures they contain, and because they often have lovely tunes. John Playford is the name most often associated with the earliest of these dances, since he was the publisher of the first written collection in 1651.
• Traditional Dances: Dances done at some point in the recent past, or currently, in English towns and villages. These are often simpler and more lively dances than the historical ones, and may use a "rant" or polka step.
• Contemporary or Composed Dances: These dances have been made up in the recent past and may resemble either traditional or historical dances.

Timing: The dances are in some way phrased to the music; in other words, certain movements are supposed to be done during certain parts of the music. Especially in English dancing, one of the real joys is to be precise about doing a figure at just the right time "when the music tells you." You may not count "music" as one of the languages you know now, but you will soon. Figures are usually written to coincide with an 8-bar phrase of music, or some subdivision or multiple of eight bars.

Relating to One's Partner: All the dances are social and done with a partner. Part of the fun of dancing is being in touch with the people you are dancing with, both your partner and the others in your set. This means things as simple as making eye contact or smiling when you are passing someone, "giving weight" (leaning away just a little so there is some feeling of tension between you and the other person) when doing "arming" or turns with another, and in general paying attention to the other person(s) as well as yourself.

Movement: The English dances are most delightful when done with grace and style. The historical dances in particular are rather courtly and require attention to one's posture ("lifting the egg out of the eggcup" is a graphic metaphor for this), and way of moving. Being aware of your center of gravity and using it to help you get where you are going (leaning forward to move forward, back when going backward — just a little) is important. Your steps should be light and on the balls of your feet, not saggy or scuffy, nor bouncing and skipping all the time (unless the dance calls for skipping or ranting). Traditional dances can be very energetic, but if you think of them as comparable to American contras or squares, you learn to relax and achieve the economy of movement natural to all traditional dancing.

Steps and Figures: For the most part, the steps and figures are easier to explain live than on paper —so listen to the teacher, and ask questions if he or she skips over something too fast — someone else will probably be grateful that you were willing to ask the question for them!

American Dancing

Traditional Dances: There are a variety of American dances, which we call by the region they come from. The major types are: New England contra dances, Appalachian or Southern squares (often done in big circles), and Western square dances. Each type has its own special style and formation, though there is some overlap; its own kind of music, though again there is overlap; and some distinctive figures — with, once again, a large overlap.

The style we suggest for traditional American dances is rather different from that for English dances, although things like relating to your partner and good timing are still basic. There is more emphasis on moving smoothly, feet close to the ground, perhaps even scuffing or stamping. The music and dances are often livelier and simpler, and more of the pleasure in dancing comes from letting go and moving forcefully, especially in the swinging which is common in all these dances.

Formations and Progressions

While you're standing out one turn through the dance, it's a good idea to learn the movements you will have to make as the new number. Some dances are done "improper," which means that the first couple (in some dances it may be the other couples, too) have crossed over and begin the dance each time from their partner's usual position. Some dances are "triple minors," which means taking hands six from the top. In this case, "ones" remain "ones" all the way to the bottom of the set, but "twos" and "threes" alternate between being a two and a three all the way to the top. In a triple minor, you also have to wait out two turns through the dance at the top before coming in as a new first couple.

Squares and Circles: A second kind of formation is the square, with four couples lined up as if on the sides of a box. This is seen in both English and American dances. There are also several kinds of circle dances. In one, there is a big circle made up of couples, with the woman on the right of her partner. These dances are usually mixers, changing partners each time through the dance. In another type, the "Sicilian circle," the circle is made up of couples facing couples around the circle. At times there may be three or four people in each line facing another line of the same number around the room like spokes in a wheel.

If you would like to know more, just ask! We may even be able to tell you where there is a dance group in your area.