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of the West and Southwest |
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before the actual Do-si-do is danced. As any additions to a figure require more time to execute that movement, additional time must be given in the call for any such variants from the basic figure. This added time is achieved either by extra patter in the call, or by giving the call the required number of beats of "music only" to take up the added time. All variations of any basic figure should be identified by a name, and all variations of any basic figure should be danced only upon "call," so that all on the floor will dance the same figure without con-fusion.
All calls and figures in this book are timed and phrased for the basic Do-si-do danced in sixteen beats of music. If variations of the Do-si-do are danced instead of the basic figure, the calls must be altered to allow for the extra movements.
The basic Do-si-do can be danced by any number of couples and from any formation, such as a circle, star, a line formation, or a double circle. This is true of only one variation of the Do-si-do, the variation which differs from the basic in that it starts with a right hand to Corners instead of a left hand to Partners and finishes with a Left Hand Swing with Partners instead of the wheel-around finish. This variation requires twenty-four beats of music and is a very old form, often called the "Pioneer Do-si-do." The "Pioneer Do-si-do" is danced and established as the customary figure in many parts of the United States, especially among the older dancers.
Another widely used variation of the Do-si-do is that in which the two ladies (only two couples can dance this version, and it requires a Circle Four formation) pass each other by the left shoulder and then take left hands with their Partners and dance the basic Do-si-do, this variation requiring twenty beats of music. This time must be allowed for in the call to insure proper dancing of this variation, which is often called the "Colorado Do-si-do," and may also be given an identifying phrase in the call by saying: "Pass your ladies for a Do-si-do".
Regardless of the figure danced, one important point in the |
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