Couples Dances

 

Page

Dance

 

Dance

1

Military2

16

Manchester gallop

2

Boston two step

17

Palmerston Waltz

3

Gay Gordons

18

St Bernards Waltz

4

Schottishe

19

Maxina

5

Brown Jug (heel & Toe) Polka

20

Swing Waltz

6

PRINCESS POLKA

21

Dorothea

7

Four Sisters Barn Dance

22

La Rinka

8

Evening three step

23

Kings Waltz

9

Valeta

24

Berlin Polka

10

Lucians Waltz

25

Highland Schottische

11

Canadian barn dance

26

Polka Mazurka

12

Palma waltz

27

Two Step

13

Pride of Erin

28

Varsovianna

14

Gypsy tap

 

 

15

Washington Post

 

 

1. MILITARY TWO STEP POSITION

 Couples facing along L.O.D. with inside hands joined.

Keeping inside hands joined, each person takes 1 step away from their partner and marks time once

Repeat stepping towards partner,

Walk, three steps forward and turn to face against L.O.D. and change hands,

Repeat sequence and face L.O.D.,

Balance once towards partner on outside foot,

Lady turns under gentleman's left arm moving directly along L. 0. D.

Waltz two turns in ballroom hold

Repeat

 

 

2. BOSTON TWO-STEP* (1908)

Partners stand side by side facing L.O.D. Holding inside hands

  • Man starting with left, lady with right foot both pas-de-basque outwards, then inwards.
  • Both take 3 steps forward, turning on the 4th count to face in the opposite direction, changing hands at the same time.
  • Repeat
  • On the 4th count turn a quarter turn to face partner joining both hands,
  • Man starting with left. lady with right both dance one pas-de-basque step each way,
  • Two side steps  along LOD
  • Take ballroom hold and dance waltz or rotary chasse turns, opening out to the commencing position on last bar.

INTRODUCED In 1908, Liberty Belt Washington Post March, 6/8 tunes*

 

 

3. GAY GORDONS    (1837-1901)   5 min

 

Couples formation facing along L.O.D in an Open Position, lower Hold.

Both start with the left foot and use the same feet for the first 8 bars, after which opposite feet are used.

  • Walk four brisk steps forward (LOD), on the last step pivot without letting go of the hand hold so that both are now facing the other way. Walk backwards three steps            8
  • Walk forward 4 steps against L.O.D., pivot again (without disengaging hold) Walk 3 steps backwards (ending apart for progressive version).  8
  • (non progressive)Man turns lady under their joined hands (twice), lady moving with the step, man walking forward.*    4
  • (progressive) Pas-de-basque together, then apart. Then lady crosses in front of man, then turns under his left arm to meet man behind.
  • Take ballroom hold and proceed with four fast polka turns.   4

In some parts of the western district of Victoria, after turning lady under man's arm, the couple links right arms, and with left hand on hip, they spin vigorously (instead of the polka turns).

 

 

4.  SCHOTTISCHE  

Formation - Couples in ballroom hold.   Man starts with left foot, lady with right foot. (This foot points along L.O.D.)  Lady mirrors gentleman's moves.

 

  • Gentleman slides left foot along L.O.D. and closes with right foot to form a 'T'.
  • He then slides his left foot along L.O.D. and hops on left foot lifting right foot behind to around mid-calf level.  1 bar
  • Repeat in opposite direction  1 bar
  • Both turn in step hops, starting with gentleman's left foot, make four half turns  2 bars
  • Repeat sequence for remainder of dance

Version 2 (Modern Version)

Instructions  Man commences with left foot, and takes 3 smooth gliding steps forward along L.O.D. with a pause on the 4th beat. This is repeated, starting with right foot. Lady moves backward starting with right foot, then repeats starting with the left.

Both turn with waltz steps (one complete turn to each 4-beat bar of music)

 

This version is also done starting with 2 walking steps followed by a chasse, then repeated starting with the other foot, and turns as above.  Music Suitable tunes for either version are "Mudgee Schottische", "Daddy's Schottische", "Harvest Moon Schottische", "Dance of the Honeybees", S.R. Henry's Barn Dance", "Australian Jim". Tempo 28-32 bars/min (30 best).

 

 

5. BROWN JUG POLKA (Heel & toe polka)

Formation: A circle with men on the inside holding partners in ballroom hold.

Step: Polka & Reel step.  Begins with mans left foot, partners right foot.

  • Heel & toe twice, then 4 slip steps sideways.
  • Repeat in opposit direction, maintaining hold. (8)
  • Clap right hands 3 times, left hands 3 times, both hands 3 times & own knees 3 times. (4)
  • Link right arms across to polka clockwise 4 steps and reverse 4 steps. (4)

 

  • N.B. To make it progressive - right arm for 2 steps, then left 'arm with NEW partner for 6 steps.

Music: Polka of 32 bars.     E.G. Brown Jug, 42 Pound Float, Jenny Lind.

 

 

 6.PRINCESS POLKA  (1837-1901) 10 min

POSITION - Couples facing L.O.D. in high promenade hold.

Both partners start on outside foot.

  • Polkade forward for 8 bars,
  • Heel toe with left foot and turn in 3 steps, to face opposite direction
  • (turning towards outside of circle),
  • Repeat with right foot, left foot and right foot again.

(Polkade = run 3 steps followed by small skip)

(music=Heel Toe Polka)

 

 

7.Four sisters barn dance (1915)

Formation Couples facing around L.O.D. with the Open Position Upper Hold.

Note: All steps in the first 4 bars move slightly diagonally, but travelling forwards.

  • Both step on right foot, slide left foot to behind right foot, step again on right foot, hop on that right foot, and swing the left foot over.
  • Repeat, starting on left foot.
  • Repeat to the right and left.
  • All move forward along L.O.D. with 4 step hops commencing on the right foot.
  • Ladies do 4 step hops, turning under men's right arms, the men doing 4 step
  • hops while turning ladies under.

 

To make the dance progressive, ladies move on to new partner in the last section, ie. bars 7-8.  

Dance Call Hint

Lock step right, hop, lockstep left , hop (x2)

Step, hop, step, hop (x4)

Step, hop, step, hop (x4) while turning girl

This dance was collectected in 1956 by the Bush Music Club in Sydney from a dance band known as the Four Sisters who remembered this dance as being popular in their youth. Actually, it is much older and it is part of the earliest version of the Barn Dance (Military Schottische). That first step which moved sideways and forward was known as the lateral version of the typical barn dance step. The ordinary step hops, used in the second part of the dance, were also used in turning in the earliest version of the Barn Dance. So this dance had already survived for 70 years in Australia when collected.

Music It's own collected tune is included in Collector's Choice, Volume 1, but it can be danced to any barn dance or schottische tune such as the "Mudgee Schottische" or "Honey Stay in Your Own Backyard".

 

 

8. EVENING THREE STEP (1904) 5 min

 

POSITION - Stand side by side, inside hands joined.    Start on gentleman's left, ladies right foot.

 

  • 3 steps forward along L.O.D.
  • Both turn across to opposite place in 4 steps, gentleman behind the lady.
  • Turn back to place as before.
  • 3 steps backward against L.O.D.
  • Swing forward 123,123 along L.O.D. (pushing inside hands forward on first 123)
  • Turn to partner and take ballroom hold.
  • Slide 2 steps along L.O.D. and then waltz.

 

 

9. THE VELETA WALTZ(1900) 5min

POSITION - Couples facing L.O.D. with inside hands joined.

Gentleman starts with left foot, Lady with right,

  • Step forward pushing joined hands forward and turning away from partner 
  • (ie waltz single in opposite direction to partner - ending back to back - called an ‘open waltz’ step)
  • (two steps forward and form a 'T' with the starting foot across behind the heel of the other foot).
  • Reverse the step ending facing your partner,
  • Slide two steps along L.O.D.,
  • Repeat sequence against L.O.D. commencing on gentleman's right foot and Ladies left,
  • Waltz 1 turn along L.O.D.,
  • Slide 2 steps along L.O.D.,
  • Waltz 4 turns .

 

 

10. LUCIAN'S WALTZ (Couples)

 (believed to be from TSDAV Book 1 by Brian Lithgow)

On outside foot take 4 waltz steps forward. 4

face partner with two hand open hold, take 2 side steps along LOD and two side steps back 4

Turn partner slowly once around with 4 forward waltz steps. 4

Slow balance. Step onto right foot, swing left foot through (while rising on the right foot) and back, stepping onto the left foot and then the right foot 2

Balance similarly to the left. Step onto the left foot swing right foot through (while rising on the left foot) and back - stepping onto the right foot and then the left foot. 2

Balance once more to the right. 2

Both cast out anticlockwise leading with the left shoulder and progress onto the next partner - ladies progressing forward along the LOD , gents backwards, flowing gently into : 2

Take two hand open hold with new partner and turn slowly once around with 4 forward waltz steps. 4

Facing forwards in LOD holding inside hands waltz balance away from partner, and towards partner. Repeat. 4

Take ballroom hold and waltz. 4

 

 

11. CANADIAN BARN DANCE (1919)  (progressive)

Facing line of dance, ladies hand on gent’s left shoulder

  • Walk forward for four, walk back for four.
  • Ladies turn by the right shoulder , gents by the left for four steps. this takes the lady forward to the next gent, and the gent back to the next lady.
  • Waltz for four.

 

 

12. THE PARMA WALTZ  (1920)  5 min

Formation: High Promenade hold, facing along L.O.D. Lady is on gents right.  Both start on left foot.

  • Take 2 slow steps forward (both with Left foot)
  • Turn to face against LOD (lady is now on gents L.H. Side).
  • Continue with 3 quick steps in LOD (walking backwards)
  • Repeat sequence against LOD. (starting on right foot).
  • Facing along LOD, take 4 slow steps forward (left foot)
  • Grape vine* to left 2 steps  then grape vine right two steps
  • Take 2 slow steps forward.
  • Gent balances backwards away from lady as lady turns under gents arm.
  • Take ballroom hold and waltz 5 turns.
  • *Grape vine step is a diagonal chasse - ie left grapevine is - step diagonally with left foot, bring right foot up close behind the left then step again diagonally with left.  For right grape vine, swap feet)

 

 

13. PRIDE OF ERIN    (1900)  5 min

POSITION - Couples facing L.O.D. in high promenade hold. Gentleman starts on left foot, lady on right.

Walk 2, run 3 and small kick forward,   (Do NOT turn around)

  • Walk backwards 2, run backwards 3,
  • Pivot towards partner on back foot and continue with front foot through between yourself & your partner, at the same time join both hands with your partner.
  • Pivot 3 more times changing pivot foot on each occasion and finishing with right foot forward.
  • Both do 2 solo waltz turns of 6 steps each and finish facing partner,
  • Holding both hands, balance towards partner and back,
  • Change places with lady turning under gentleman's right arm,
  • Repeat to place,
  • Waltz 4 turns in ballroom hold.

 

 

14. GYPSY TAP (1935 )

Formation Ballroom hold    Music: fast waltz,  Gent = Left foot, lady, right foot

  • Slide-step 2 along LOD
  • Keeping ballroom hold, gent face LOD , lady backward, run 3 steps LOD ,
  • (place feet together for fourth beat.)
  • Repeat, travelling in the same direction.
  • Repeat this but in opposite direction, in step 2 the gent moves backwards and lady forwards
  • Release waltz hold. Stand side by side, facing line of dance.
  • Gent takes ladies left hand in his right hand.
  • Swing held hands forward for 2 beats, backwards for 2 beats.  Let go hands, and both turn around for 4 beats. (Lady clockwise, Gent anti-clockwise.)
  • Repeat
  • Resume waltz hold. Run forward 3 steps, pause for fourth beat.
  • Run backwards for 3 steps, pause for fourth beat.
  • Waltz 2

Music  :   4/4 16 bars per pattern.,"Click Go the Shears, Ten Pretty Girls, Wheels."

TEACHING CALL:

Slide 2 to the front & run for 3. AGAIN: turn.

Slide 2 to the back & run for 3. AGAIN: turn.

Swing hands and turn around. AGAIN.

Run forward, run back. Waltz for 2.

 

 

15. WASHINGTON POST.

  • Facing the line of dance, w.1th the gentleman standing behind the lady and using the pride of erin hold
  • With a hopping step begin with the right foot, toe to toe toe to heel.
  • Left foot toe to toe, toe to heel,
  • With the gentleman on the outside, gallop for 4.
  • Turn, (this puts the lady on the outside) gallop for 4.
  • REPEAT

 

 

16.MANCHESTER GALLOP.

Formation :Facing the line of dance, using ballroom hold,

  • Slow chasse for four turning slowly at the same time so that the lady ends up on the inside of the LOD.
  • Fast slip steps for eight.
  • Slow chasse for four while turning the lady in front of the gentleman back to the outside.
  • Slip step for eight.
  • Polka turns for twelve.
  • REPEAT (till you drop

 

  • Note: This dance has been altered in modern bush dance circles so that it has only a vague similarity to the real Manchester Galop that was collected in 1963 from the dancers at Nariel in North-Eastern Victoria. The Manchester Galop should not be done with a polka step, but with a galop step, both in travelling and turning.

Music Its own tune "Manchester Galop" is in Collector's Choice, Volume 1, along with an alternative tune such as "McGinty's Meal and Ale". Tempo 28-32 bars/min.

 

 

17.Palmerston Waltz

Formation : Couples in Ballroom Hold

  • Starting with outside foot, walk forward for 3 steps and kick. 
  • Then backwards for 3 steps & kick        4
  • Two side steps LOD          2
  • Turn once single along LOD        2
  • Take partner by both hands balance swinging first right then left foot across. 2
  • Take two side steps LOD         2
  • Waltz             4

Music 16 bar Waltz , eg starry night for a ramble, Gentle maiden

 

 

18. St Bernards Waltz

Formation : Couples in Ballroom hold

Gent start left, lady right foot

 

  • Take 3 slide steps along LOD
  • Rise on toes standing in one position (or stamp each foot in turn)
  • Two slide steps back against LOD
  • Right, left, right, but do not complete 4th step with left, but bring left to right in brush and step back to centre on left
  • Back on right and balance in back sway and walk forward to wall ,
  • Left and right, brush left and right
  • Take two slides along LOD
  • Waltz

 

 

19. Maxina

  • Formation: Partners half side by side, gent shoulder behind ladies. Ladies left wrist in gents left hand and her right wrist in his right hand  Both start with left foot in front.

 

  • Rock forward, rock back (twice)
  • Three quick steps forward, turn and three quick steps backward (still in LOD)
  • Repeat in opposite direction
  • Four grape vine steps
  • Two slow steps forward
  • One grape vine step
  • Two slow steps forward
  • One grape vine step
  • Four steps forward
  • Lady turns under
  • Waltz 12

 

 

20. Swing Waltz (1939)

Formation : Couples side by side, gent hold ladies right hand.       Gent start left foot, lady right

  • Run 3 forward and lift right foot
  • Run back 3  (still facing LOD) turning on third to face partner.
  • Swing left through and back
  • Waltz 2
  • Two slides sidways along LOD and swing right through and back
  • Two slides back and swing left through and back
  • Step back to centre, change hands to have gents right holding partners right.
  • Gent crosses over in front of partner in two steps making half turn on right foot and stepping back       (he is now facing centre)
  • Change back at rear of partner in two steps turning on ball of left foot.
  • Take two handed hold and swing right ver left and left over right
  • Holding partners left hand step forward (facing LOD)
  • Left and right balance forward and back
  • Step forward and balance forward and back and turn to face partner
  • Take two slides along LOD while partner waltzes out and two slides back while partner waltzes back.
  • Waltz 4

 

 

21. Dorothea

Formation: Couples stand side by side facing opposite directions

Gent starts on left foot , lady on right

  • Walk two (gent forwards , lady backwards) turn
  • Walk two back, hesitating on each step
  • Walk two (gent forwards , lady backwards)
  • Walk two back,
  • Run three, kick right foot, run 3 back kick left foot
  • Balance 2, half reverse, balance 2 half reverse
  • Walk 2 , point and dip
  • Run 3 forward, 3 back
  • Waltz

 

 

22. La Rinka

Formation : Couples in side by side formation with promenade hold facing LOD

  • Two ‘skating’ steps diagonally outwards
  • Two ‘skating’ steps diagonally inwards
  • One ‘skating’ steps diagonally outwards
  • One ‘skating’ steps diagonally inwards
  • Partners separate and honour
  • Lady & man cross over and back
  • Two side steps against LOD 
  • Waltz (8 bars

 

 

23. Kings Waltz  (1880)

Formation: Couples in open ballroom hold facing LOD, men start with left , ladies start with right.

 

  • Both take four slow steps forward in LOD
  • Lady pivots to face man and take full waltz hold.
  • Both take four more slow steps LOD (lady travelling backwards)
  • Both take two side steps towards centre of floor and two side steps out again
  • Waltz two

 

 

24. Berlin Polka

Position  Skater's Hold. (The clasped left hands must be on top)

 

Dance: Man begins on left foot, lady on right.

  • Both polka forward along L.O.D.
  • Swing inside foot over and point, touching floor along L.O.D, man will point right foot, lady points left.
  • Both swing the foot that is pointed back and polka on it backing L.O.D., then swing other foot over and point it back against L.O.D.
  • Turn with polka steps. Keeping hands clasped, both turn under raised arms, the lady turning just before the man. He will be dancing the polka steps backward as he moves into the turn.
  • Repeat this turn. (The dovetailing of the turns is essential so that the lady turns under first and the man immediately afterwards, not both together otherwise they will get into impossibly uncomfortable positions back to back.) This turn is known as the 'wash the dishes, dry the dishes, turn the dishes over' turn in a children's dancing game.
  • Note This dance was collected from Nariel and is their unique version of this polka. The original version, based on a Bohemian peasant dance, was well known in colonial times. The Nariel musicians use an English tune called "Ask Old Brown to Tea" but other polka tunes can be used. These tunes must have the proper polka rhythm (a strong 3 quaver beat) as explained in

 

 

25. Highland Schottische  (before 1850)

Position  Couples in ballroom hold, side on to L.O.D.

Instructions

  • Man starts on left, lady on right foot. They take 2 heel and toe steps while hopping on the other foot, then 4 fast chasse (slip) steps to the man's left. Repeat on other side.
  • Fast circular turns (as in Barn Dance but faster tempo), or polka turns.
  • Notes  The above is the usual version done in country districts here, but some dancers prefer it done in the Scottish style, including step hops in turning, but still keeping in a ballroom hold.

Music Scottish tunes such as "The Keel Row", "Comin'Through the Rye", "Moneymusk", "Cawdor Fair", and "Kafoozalum", etc. Tempo 28-32 bars/min.

 

  • Change arms, so that right arms are raised, and left arms akimbo, and repeat the above sequence of 2 bars, moving left, back towards partner.
  • Link right arms, raising left arms, place right foot down in a step hop# (2 counts), and continue moving round one another with 3 more step hops.
  • Link left arms, raising right arms, and repeat step hops around the opposite way.

To make this dance progressive, the couples need to be in a fairly close circle, men's bac centre.

The change of partners is made in bar 6, during arming, when partners have moved halfway round one another. Men will progress around the circle in a clockwise direction, ladies in an anticlockwise direction, but keeping to the step hop. They will link left arms with these new partners for bars 7 and 8.

Music This dance was mentioned to folk collector, John Meredith by a traditional dance musician who always played "Pop Goes The Weasel" for it, and this tune suits it very well. Sheet music for this was advertised as a new tune in the Illustrated Sydney News in 1854 so that tune has been here a long time. Other lively Highland Schottische tunes can also be used, eg. "Moneymusk".

 

 

26. Polka Mazurka - Colonial Version

Notes  Only a few elderly dancers are able to dance this early version and it is usually known as the double Polka Mazurka. It is actually easier to do, than the modern version for anyone who has not danced a polka mazurka before.

Position  Ballroom hold sideways to L.O.D. with feet in third position, ie. gentleman's left heel rests against his right instep. Lady's right heel rests against her left instep. Gentleman faces wall. Gentlemen start on left foot, ladies on right.

Instructions

Mazurka step (advancing):Gentlemen slide left foot to the left along L.O.D*. a short step (1st beat of bar). Spring the right foot lightly into the place of the left, at the same time extending the left along L.O.D. at about ankle height with toe pointed (2nd beat). Hop on the right foot, bringing the left foot back behind the right, raised at about ankle height (3rd beat).

Polka step (turning):Gentlemen slide left foot to the left along L.O.D. (Ist beat of 2nd bar). Close right foot up, raising left foot and turning a quarter circle anticlockwise (2nd beat). Drop weight onto left foot, raising right foot behind to ankle height and turning another quarter circle, so gentlemen now face to centre (3rd beat), ready to start the first part again immediately.

Gentlemen commence on the right foot and repeat above but turning clockwise in the 2nd bar of the sequence*

Ladies do the same steps but with opposite feet.

Note  * In the earliest version, all turns were clockwise, the reverse turn was introduced later.

Music   The same music as used for the modern version is suitable. The colonial version has a full sequence of 4 bars while the modern version takes 8 bars. Tempo 52-54 bars/min.

 

 

27. Two Step

Position  Ballroom hold, sideways to L.O.D. with the man facing the wall.

 

Instructions   Man begins on left, lady on right foot. They both take 4 chasse steps sideways along L.O.D., turning clockwise on last step so man faces centre.

Man beginning on right, lady on left foot, repeat above, turning clockwise again. Circular waltz or circular chasse steps (in 6/8 time).

 

Music for Two Step.   Suitable tunes are "Mademoiselle from Armentieres", "Day Trip to Bangor", "Frog Puddles", "Repasz", "Blaze Away", "Washington Post". Tempo 56-60 bars/min.

 

 

28. Varsoviana

Formation  Ballroom hold, gentlemen facing wall.

Turn around and point step. Gentlemen, starting on left, take a small step along L.O.D

(A) (Ist beat), just beginning to turn anticlockwise, step on right finishing the half-turn anticlockwise so that back is now to wall (2nd beat), close left foot up beside right (3rd beat).

Point right foot along L.O.D. and pause (ie., one half-reverse turn and point).

Gentlemen take a small step on the right foot, just beginning to turn clockwise (Ist beat). (This will mean that although the weight is moved forward on to this right foot, the foot is actually moved back a little from its extended poisition in the point). Step on the left foot, continuing the half-turn clockwise (2nd beat), closing the right up beside the left (3rd beat), and pointing the left foot along the LOD

Mazurka step  Similar to that used in the polka mazurka.

Gentlemen start left, ladies on right. Gentlemen spring with a rocking motion (left shoulder dips down) to land on the left foot (Ist beat). Immediately bring right foot up with a springy movement to take place of the left foot, left shoulder rising again (2nd beat). Hop on right foot, raising left foot up toward L.O.D., not higher than ankle height (the knee is bent but not raised excessively). (3rd beat) Repeat above, gentlemen starting left foot again. Gentlemen make a reverse (anticlockwise) half turn, point right foot along L.O.D.

The Dance:

  • Do 8  complete ‘ turn and point steps’.
  • Do 2 mazurka steps,
  • Then  ‘turn and point’ is repeated, starting on the other foot, and turning clockwise.
  • Repeat on both sides again.

Notes The Varsoviana was one of the most Popular couples dances last century It was often known as the Waltz of Vienna or the Vars' 0 Vienna. It should always be danced smoothly and gracefully without any wild upward kicks

Music Many beautiful Varsoviana tunes have been collected from traditional dance musicians such as those published in John Meredith's Folksongs of Australia and Peter Ellis' Collector 9 s Choice, Volume 1. These include "Babes in the Wood", "Italian Skies", "Hand in Hand", "Put Your Little Foot In", and "Sally Sloane's Varsoviana". Tempo 52-54 bars/min.