24-bar Reel for a 4-Couple Set, RSCDS I

This is a fun little dance. I say “fun” because the triumph hold and the traveling pousette are very rare in the canon, and both offer challenges and opportunities for practicing precision. It’s often found in the beginning or near the end of programs because the dance is not physically demanding. It is “little” because it is 24 bars in length, while the standard length of the average dance is 32 bars.

I like “Triumph” and will often choose to dance it with a newer dancer so they can learn the traveling pousette.

Characteristics

• Set Management: it’s a one-person dance, which means that if only one person in the set knows how it goes, they can get the other seven through it
• Technical Requirements: moderate (pas de basque, skip change, one-couple traveling pousette)

Teaching Points

• Figure – the traveling pousette benefits from being taught/learned in the classroom setting, but it is not strictly necessary as it can be picked up on the dance floor
• Footwork – must have a three-beat pas de basque with a proper jeté to be able to progress through the traveling pousette
• Foot change(s) – M1 switches from left to left on bar 16, then from right to right on bar 24
• Handing – getting into and out of the Triumph hold should be natural and unobtrusive
• Deportment – especially crucial when dancing up “in triumph” and dancing the traveling pousette
• Phrasing – the phrasing of the traveling pousette requires attention

Social Program

“Triumph” can appear anywhere in the program except the end, but it’s a good idea to place it in the midst of more physically-demanding dances as it offers a respite from a lot of activity.

• 6 – would not recommend
• 12 – 3rd or 9th dance
• 15 – 6th or 12th dance
• 18 – 6th, 12th, or 15th dance

Physical Experience

• Minimal impact on the body, so a good choice for all sorts of dancers

Regional Variation

• (None known to the author)