Irish or Scottish dance (either or)

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Scottish Dance

Abstract

This analytical essay presents information about the Scottish country dance , its history , purpose , classification etc

Outline

Introduction

History

Purpose

Classification

Miscellaneous Information

Conclusion

Introduction

Scotland has a culture , and a deep-rooted tradition of music , song and dance . This can be asserted by discussing the Ceilidh , which is an evening full of dance , songs and no doubt drinking good whisky . In the Ceilidh , the Scottish country dance is performed , which

can be enjoyed by people in any way what so ever , whether formal or informal . Country dances are extremely genial and enjoyable . Because of this very feature which makes them attractive to people belonging to all the parts of the world and perhaps the only reason why it is extremely easy for a person to find Scottish country dance groups in any part of the world . Scottish country dancing , which is also known as SCD and even called reeling is a kind of dance for social purposes . The dance is basically a modern form of the country dance that was previously very famous in the eighteenth century across England and Scotland (Brinson 33 ) Scottish Country Dance is the customary communal dance of Scotland . The dances are poised of accurate footwork and arrangements that are set in a dissimilar series for each dance . The music varies from vigorous reels and jigs to the strathspey , which is a kind of music that is found nowhere in the world except Scotland (Hood 94

All of the Scottish dances the Scottish country dance in particular is done in well-organized formations that are generally known as sets These sets are usually made up of around three or four couples , even though certain dances require far more people which comes to around six or more couples . The couple formations are more often than usual mixed even though men dance with men and women dance with women , though this depends on the gathering . The most common shape is the longwise shape where the couples stand side by side in the formation of all the men on one side , facing all the women on the other side , with his man facing his partner . The man on the far left side and his partner are known as either the first or the top couple and the formation is such that the first couple is nearest to the band or what ever source of music is being used . Longer lines are formed when the hall is big (Flett and Flett 56 ) Other types of sets are also there , but those are very rare and include the triangular sets , square sets as well as the "round-the-room " dances

Scottish country dances are divided into various categorie such as reels , jigs , strathspeys and are categorised on the basis of the kind of music on which they are performed . The first two names of dances that are mentioned are generally called quick-time dances , because of the fact that they have tempos along with...