Why not learn the dances, and accompany them, with your own dance band! If you're choosing your own tunes you will need to select appropriate ones; make sure they work in 3/4 and arrange them in an order which is musically sensible. Think about which key changes work best, and about how well the end of one melody flows into the beginning of the next.
Saint Bernard’s Waltz
1. Join up with your partner in a waltz hold - one arm round your partner's
waist and the other hand joined out in front of you.
2. Going anti-clockwise you sidestep
forward, and again and again, then stamp feet twice (say "one, two, three,
stamp stamp!).
3. Then go back for two.
4. Step into the centre for two,
then back out for two.
5. Next the lady spins under the
man’s arm once.
6. Waltz in time to the music until
the end of the part and start all over again.
Some popular tunes suitable for this dance include Glencoe, Rothesay Bay and The Auld Hoose.
The Lomond Waltz
The famous Scottish music broadcaster, Robbie Shepherd, said that this dance
is a particular favourite with people from the Lothians and Borders. He also
recalls it being a favourite of Bobby MacLeod, the great 20th century accordionist
from Mull. Bobby Macleod was also a respected dance band leader, piper and Highland
dance enthusiast.
The tune Comin’ thro’ the Rye, also a song, is a popular choice
for this dance. Like the Saint Bernard’s it is a couple dance, and
the same waltz hold is used.
1. The gentlemen lead by taking 2
steps to their left, then 2 steps backwards, then 2 steps to the right, then
2 steps forwards (the ladies should have been following their partners steps
up to this point).
2. The couple should now have completed
a square movement.
3. Next there comes a half turn back
to back, then a half turn back to face your partner again.
4. Then holding both hands the couple
balance forward and back then change places, lady going under the gent's left
arm.
5. Repeat step 4
6. Gentlemen point left foot to the
side, cross the right foot over, point left foot and close feet together (ladies
mirror your partner's actions).
7. Repeat step 6 going the opposite
way.
8. Waltz 3 full turns to finish.
These steps should take one full
playing of a 32 bar tune.
Main Waltz page