The picture below shows the start of a typical dance, actually a moment after it started, captured from a video of a Hamilton English Dancers dance.

They are dancing Jack's Health the configuration of which is known as a duple minor longways set, probably the most common English Country Dance configuration. In a longways set dancers form a line of couples, any length, partners face each other. The top of the set is usually the end of the line where the band is and caller stands. Duple minor means that for each verse pairs of couples dance as a group. The longways set is divided into as many minor sets as possible, in this case four are visible.

The caller, who typically stands at the top, will address dancers using certain terms based on which position within their minor set they were at when the dance verse started. In the picture annotation is shown in different minor sets for clarity, but each position applies to each minor set.

Within each minor set the first man is nearest the top with the top to his left. Similarly his partner, the first woman, is nearest the top with the top to her right. The second man and his partner, the second woman, stand just below the first man & woman respectively.

Within each minor set dancers on the same side of the set, i.e. facing the same way, are neighbors.

Dancers in opposite corners are referred to as follows: first corner means the first man and second woman; second corner means the second man and first woman.

At the end of each verse of music dancers will have progressed meaning that each couple will now be next to a new couple with whom they form a new minor set. This may be easiest to understand by watching specific couples in the video.

For example, if you watch the first couple at the top (first man dressed in pale green & first woman dressed in pale yellow) you will see they move down away from the top as the dance progresses. If you watch a second couple, say the couple man in red, women in violet, you will see that they move up the set toward the top as the dance progresses. By the third verse these particular two couples have progressed so that they are dancing together in the same minor set.

On alternate verses there will be one couple out at the top and, or, at the bottom. When you are out at the top you will change from dancing in first couple position to second couple position. Vice versa at the bottom. In the video the you will see a couple out at the top during the second verse. In the first verse they danced in second position in their set, in the third verse they start to dance in first couple position.

Dance instructions for first and second couples are slightly different, so while you are out it is important to watch the couple next to you who are dancing the steps you will be dancing in the next verse. In simple dances there is not much difference between first and second couple instuctions, but in complex dances you need to pay attention to this point.

You may have notied that the first "man" and second "man" look more like women! It is often the case that the numbers of men and women dancing are not equal. In such cases some women will dance in the dance positions of men, or vice versa. The evening this video was shot it must have been ladies night since it appears that eveyone dancing is in fact a women, however I like the video because of the view point which makes it easy to follow all dancers.

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Common Variations

Improper Dance

In an improper dance, don't panic it's not what you think, the first couple (usually) in each minor set changes place before the dance starts. Position names remain the same so in an improper dance neighbours are now opposite gender and corners are same gender. A very important point, when you as a couple are out in and improper dance you must change places as well as paying attention to the couple ahead of you.

Triple Minor Dance

A triple minor dance is similar in most respects to a duple minor except that each minor set comprises three couples referred to as first couple, second couple & third couple. Corners refers to the extreme corners e.g. first man and third woman. To refer to the first man and second woman in this case the caller may say the person on your right diagonal.

Other Dance Formations

The dances described above are sometimes referred to as longways (for as many as will). Other Set dances are specifically for two couples, or three couples etc. up to five of more. In these there is no progression between sets only within the set (although this does not mean sets do not interact, read on). Other formations which may crop up every few weeks are Four couple square and Sicilian circle (any size).

This video shot at an English Country Dance workshop session in Durham, North Carolina, at Sun. They are dancing Trip to the Manors for a two couple set. You will see that the couples at which the camara is pointed never progress, they always dance together. Notice also how other sets on the floor are alernately oriented at right angles so that they do not bump when they lead out.

Trip to the Manors, is a type of dance often refered to as a USA dance. These dances have a 6 part structure as follows: Up-a-double; chorus; Siding; chorus; Arming; chorus. The three chorus parts are all the same, but this is not the case in all USA dances. Not all USA dances are so tricky so don't rush to sit out when the caller says the next dance is a USA dance. Rough timing of the parts in the video is: Starts with up-a-double; 1st chorus starts (set to partner) at 0:09, siding at 0:36; 2nd chorus at 0:42; arming at 1:06; and final chorus at 1:14.

Expect Almost Anything

There are many less common variations but the caller will emphasize these so again, no need to panic. For example in Duke of Kent's Waltz you will turn, by right hand, the person on your right diagonal (see illustration to the left) who may be in an adjacent set. Or, in Sun Assembly, mid verse, you will dance a star figure with folks in an adjacent minor set before finishing up the verse.