Double / Single
Bars: 2.
A "double", and a "single" are specific steps which made their way into English Country Dancing from French predecessors. A "single" consists of a step forward and then a close, while a double consists of three steps forward and a close. I've also seen people go up on tip-toes for the close.
The phrase "up a double and back" was probably the most common usage, part of the "up a double/siding/arming" trio. When doing an "up a double and back" a couple would turn to face up, take hands, dance up a double, fall back a double, and turn to face. Even if you do two up a doubles in a row, take a moment to face and acknowledge your partner between the two.
History
Arbeau uses these terms in his Orchésographie (page 26 or Arbeau's numbering, page 53 of the pdf), and defines them over the next few pages: first the single (page 27, or 55 in the pdf)
CapriolDeux simples suyuent le branle, comment fault-il les faire?ArbeauVous marcherez en auant du pied gauche pour la premiere mesure: Puis mettrez le pied droit ioinct auec ledict gauche pour la deuxieme mesure: Puis auancerez le piel droit pour la trosiesme mesure: Et à la quatrieme mesure & battement ioindre le pied gauche auec ledict pied droit
CapriolTwo simples follow the branle, how must I do them?ArbeauYou step forward with the left foot for the first beat: Then place the right foot to join it for the second: then advance with the right foot for the third and on the fourth join it with the left.
Then the double (page 27, or 56 in the pdf)
Le double se faict en quatre mesures & battements du tabourin: Sur la premiere mesure, fault auácer le pied gauche. Sur la seconde mesure, il fault aduancer le pied droit. Sur la troisiesme mesure, il fault encor auancer le pied gauche: Et sur la quatrieme mesure, il fault ioindre le droit auec ledit gauche. Et ainsi en 4. mesures sera complet le double: Et s'il y a deux doubles: L'aultre double suyuant se faict au contraire du premier, auanceant le pied droit, puis le pied gauche, puis encor le pied droite: Et à la quatrieme mesure fault ioindre le pied gauche auec le droigt:
The double is done in four beats (or raps on the tambor) On the first beat advance your left foot, on the second the right, on the third the left again, and on the fourth beat you must join the right to the left. Thus 4 beats complete a double. And if there are two doubles, the other double is done opposite to the first: advancing the right foot, then the left, the right again, and then close with the left.
The Lovelace MS does not seem to use the term "up a double", instead it just says "Lead up".
Some dances which (probably) use this figure
- Dances for which I have animations
- Dances in (R)SCDS Books
Note: This list may be incorrect or incomplete.
See Also
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