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The Society of Folk Dance Historians (SFDH) Round Dance Glossary By Lambert Knox, 1982 [ Home | About | Encyclopedia | | Publications | Members ] CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

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DANCE SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS

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BASIC STEPS AND MOVEMENTS

      TWO STEP RHYTHM STEPS

1. Basic Two Step – In designated position, stp,cl,stp,–;
2. Forward Two Step – In designated position, fwd,cl,fwd,–;
3. Side Two Step – In designated position, sd,cl,sd,–;
4. Back Two Step – In designated position, bk,cl,bk,–;
5. Two Turning Two Steps – A right face turning figure consisting of six steps and generally using two meas of music.

   In Closed Position using a blending action step side left, close right to left, side and diagonally across line of progression left and pivoting 1/2 right face on left, hold; step side right, close left to right, side right pivoting 1/2 right face on right, hold; (sd,cl,trn,–;).

   Woman – Step side right, close left to right, side right pivoting 1/2 right face on right, hold; step side left, close right to left, side and diagonally across left pivoting 1/2 right face on left, hold;

   Ending position and facing direction may change with choreography – that is, SCP, SCAR, et cetera.

6. Face-to-Face and Back-to-Back – A two-measure figure, side left, close right to left, side left turning away from partner (Man left face and Woman right face) to a back-to-back position, hold; side right, close left to right, side right turning toward partner (Man right face and Woman left face) to designated position, hold;
7. Box – A two-measure figure, partners facing. Man steps side on left, close right to left, step forward on left, hold; side on right, close left to right, back on right, hold; (sd,cl,fwd,– sd,cl,bk,–). Woman does counterpart.
8. Reverse Box – A two-measure figure, partners facing. Man steps side on left, close right to left, step back on left, hold; side on right, close left to right, forward on right, hold (sd,cl,bk,–; sd,cl,fwd,–;). Woman does counterpart.
9. Hitch – A step in direction of movement, followed by a close step, followed by a step in opposite direction, followed by a hold; (fwd,cl,bk,cl; OR bk,cl,fwd,cl;).
10. Hitch Four – The basic step can be modified by adding the word "four" to indicate an additional close on the fourth beat (fwd,cl,bk,cl; OR bk,cl,fwd,cl;).
11. Limp – A four-count movement similar to a Vine, but cross behind on each alternating step (sd,bhnd,sd,bhnd;).
12. Limp (Front) – Same as Limp except crosses will be in front (sd,front,sd,front;).
13. Slow Right Face Couple Pivot – With a blending motion, from Closed Position, Man step back left turning on ball of foot approximately 1/2 right face (Woman step forward right between Man's feet), hold one count, Man step forward right between Woman's feet (Woman step back left) continuing right face to turn to end in position and facing direction as indicated, hold one count (pivot,–,2,–;).
14. Balance (Two Step) – A three-step action in any direction or position with each step on the beat and a hold on the fourth count. Examples:
    • Balance Left or Right – side, behind, in place hold;
    • Balance Forward – forward, close, in place, hold;
    • Balance Back – back, close, in place, hold;

15. Away Step Step – Step diagonally away, in place step, step, hold;
16. Together Step Step – Step diagonally together, in place step, step, hold;
17. Scissors – A figure in which partners cross free foot past the other on the third count. Instructions will indicate which partners cross in front and which cross in back as they change to Sidecar, Banjo, or other position (sd,cl,cross,–;).
18. Thru Scissors – Same as Scissors except BOTH partners cross in front.
19. Progressive Scissors – Same as Scissors but partners progress in direction indicated.
20. Forward Lock Forward – A step forward followed by crossing the other foot in back of the suppoorting foot and taking weight on the crossing foot, then stepping forward again followed by a hold.
21. Back Lock Back – A step backward followed by crossing the other foot in front of the supporting foot and taking weight on the crossing foot, then stepping backward again, followed by a hold.
22. Scoot – A series of forward, close steps (can be done in any number of counts). Scoot four in any position (fwd,cl,fwd,cl;).

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WALTZ RHYTHM STEPS

1. Standard Waltz – Three foot movements to a three beat musical measure done by two steps and closing on the third step.
2. Away and Together – Movement away from partner then toward partner with progression in a given direction.
3. Balance (Waltz) – Same action as in two step rhythm but in waltz time.
4. Forward Waltz – See standard waltz.
5. Right Turning Waltz – Starting in Closed Position, step on free foot (back on left or forward on right) turning 1/4 right face, continue to turn right face on next foot continuing progression started on first step, close free foot to supporting foot having completed a 1/2 turn.
6. Twinkle – A figure in which partners cross free foot past the other on the first count. Instructions will indicate which partners cross in front and which cross in back as they change to sidecar, Banjo, or other position (cross,sd,cl;).
7. Thru Twinkle – Same as Twinkle but partners progress in direction indicated.
8. Progressive Twinkle – Same as Twinkle but partners progress in direction indicated.
9. Thru Side Close – See separate definitions for each word.
10. Turn Face Close – See separate definitions for each word.
11. Box (Waltz) – A three-step figure starting with partners facing. The first step is to the side, turn to open or left open rocking backward on second step, recovering to facing position on third step.

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MULTI-RHYTHM STEPS

1. Breakaway – A three-step figure starting with partners facing. The first step is to the side, turn to open or left open rocking backward on second step, recovering to facing position on third step.
2. Circle Away and Together – In prescribed rhythm, partners release contact and move away from each other and together in a circular pattern.
3. Maneuver – Any type of turn necessary to end in Closed Position, Man facing Reverse Line of Progression, with Man's left and Woman's right foot free.
4. Pickup – The action in which the Man leads the Woman in front of him, commencing on the inside foot, to end in a Closed Position. The usual movement is from Semi-Closed Position leading the Woman to Closed Position as the Man moves forward.
5. Rocking Steps – a series of steps with a rocking action transferring the weight from one foot to the other by stepping either forward backward, or sideward. The number of steps as indicated.
6. Run – A series of fast steps taken without closing the feet.
7. Solo Roll – A right face or left face individual turn progressing in designated direction to end in designated position. The number of steps used is determined by rhythm and choreography.
8. Twirl – A progressive right face turn by the Woman under her right hand and Man's left hand.
9. Reverse Twirl – Same as Twirl except change right face to left face turn.
10. Vine Three – Side right or left, following with a cross in back, with another side in same direction.
11. Vine Four – Side right or left, following with a cross in back, with another side in same direction.
12. Vine Eight – Do a Vine Four two times in succession (sd,bhnd,sd,front;sd,bhnd,sd,front;).
13. Twisty Vine – Same as the Vine except the Woman crosses opposite from Man.
14. Vine (Open) – Same action as regular Vine except both Man and Woman turn to left Open or Open Position as they take the crossing steps. Can be used for both Two Step or Waltz.
15. Twirl Vine – Woman twirls left face as Man moves withe her in a Vine figure.
16. Reverse Twirl Vine – Woman twirls left face as Man moves along with her in a Vine figure.
17. Wheel – A series of steps in a Side by Side Position, partners turn as a couple with the inside feet as a common pivot point.
18. Wrap – From an Open Position retain the inside hand hold at waist level as Woman makes a complete left face turn to face the same direction as the Man, resulting in wrapping the Woman's left arm in front of her waist and Man's right arm behind her waist. Join the free outside hands in front at chest height.
19. Unwrap – Reversing the conditions of a Wrap to a designated position.

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MOVEMENTS OTHER THAN STEPS

1. Brush – The ball of the free foot is moved lightly on the floor in the direction indicated without taking weight.
2. Chug – A short backward movement with weight on both feet, bend knees and straighten quickly causing feet to slide.
3. Close – A step bringing feet together and parallel changing weight.
4. Face – A step turning to face partner.
5. Heel – Touch heel to floor slightly diagonally forward and sideward.
6. Hop – With supporting foot or feet rise slightly form the floor returning to the floor on the same foot or feet.
7. Kick – Lifting the knee, then quickly straightening the leg, toe pointed down.
8. Lift – A slight rise on the ball of the supporting foot. The free foot moving forward, leg straight and toe pointing forward.
9. Point – The toe of the free foot touching the floor in the direction indicated.
10. Recover – Returning weight to original supporting foot.
11. Rock and Recover – Transferring weight from supporting foot to free foot in direction indicated, then returning weight to original supporting foot. No progression is involved in either action (roc,–rec,–; OR roc,rec,roc,rec;).
12. Thru – Both partners bring foot between each other taking weight.
13. Toe – Touch toe to floor at the instep of supporting foot.
14. Together – Movement toward partner.
15. Touch – Toe of free foot touches floor at the instep of the supporting foot.
16. Turn – Change of direction as indicated.

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EXPLANATORY TERMS

1. Bridge – A short figure between parts of a dance or between repeats of a dance.
2. Interlude – Same as Bridge except normally used to designate a longer passage of music.

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DOCUMENT

• How Folk Dancing Grew, an article.

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Reprinted from the 1982 University of the Pacific (Stockton) Folk Dance Camp syllabus.

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This page © 2018 by Ron Houston.
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