The Morris Book, Part 1 eBook

Cecil Sharp
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 65 pages of information about The Morris Book, Part 1.

The Morris Book, Part 1 eBook

Cecil Sharp
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 65 pages of information about The Morris Book, Part 1.

This is called in the Notation—­Go-and-Come.

THE RING.

In this, wherever it occurs, partners simply alter positions so that the whole side forms a ring, or circle.  It is sometimes used at the finish of a dance; and in “Bean-setting” it occurs at the beginning. (See diagrams, p. 51.)

This is called in the Notation—­Ring.

STEPS IN FOREGOING EVOLUTIONS.

Unless special instructions are given to the contrary, the step used in bars 1 and 2 of “Chain,” “Cross-over,” “Back-to-back” and “Go-and-come,” is always 4/3 or 6/3, according to time, and 4/2 or 6/2 in bars 3 and 4; likewise, 4/3 or 6/3 in bars 5 and 6, and 4/2 or 6/2 in bars 7 and 8.

THE JUMP.

The manner of the Jump has been described already (see p. 33).  It remains to tell of the different ways in which the movement is employed, and to assign to each a Notation number.

The Jump is used in two ways only, as follows:—­

1.  In position.  That is, the dancer jumps where he stands, without changing front.

This is called in the Notation—­Ju.

2.  To make a half-turn.  That is, in military phrase, to make a “half-right—­or left—­turn.”

This is called in the Notation—­j.

For direction—­to left or right—­of turning, see instructions under
“Positions, and change of position.”

The following rules as to the Jump apply to Handkerchief and Corner dances, and are invariable.  In Stick dances tapping to a great extent takes the place of jumping, but in these, where the Jump is to be used, it will be found marked in the Notation.  Movements of the hands, which invariably go with the Jump, will be found under heading “The Hands.”

The first general rule is this:  Every dancer whose turn it is to execute any movement whatsoever, must jump on last half-bar before that movement begins.  This applies, as the case may be, to the whole side, or to any pair of opposites about to execute any figure or movement.

For instance, the whole side is to dance Down-and-back and Up-and-back, so on last half-bar of “Once to Yourself,” the whole side jumps together—­then starts the figure.  Also in all figures executed by the whole side in common—­in “Chain,” “Cross-over,” “Back-to-back,” “Go-and-come”—­all jump together on last half-bar before the figure begins.

It is the same with pairs or opposites.  In Corners and Capers each pair whose turn it is to dance together jump on last half-bar before they begin.  As each pair finishes the next must be ready to jump on last half-bar before their turn.  So with the third pair; and as they finish, and the whole side takes up the next figure in common, then the whole side jumps together on last half-bar.

So much for the Jump as an invariable preliminary to all figures in the Stick and Handkerchief dances.  We come now to the Jump as made at the middle and end of figures.

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The Morris Book, Part 1 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.