The Culver City Collection

Sweet Sixteen

Teaching Hints for the Sweetheart


At first glance the Sweetheart formations appear more intimate than other SCD formations which are typically arms-length. If you compare it to the Allemande, however, you will note many similarities, including the closeness of the partners, the turning of the lady under the man's arm, and the importance of a sure lead by the man. The Windup and Unwind may seem complex because of their relative unfamiliarity. It pays to spend a little time working out the arming because Scottish Country Dancers are generally unfamiliar with effective use of arms above shoulder level.

Before teaching the entire movement, work on the transition between bars 1 and 2 both forward and backward. The position at the end of bar 2 is also called a "pretzel" for obvious reasons. Have the couple practice winding up and unwinding between bars 1 and 2, slowly at first, reminding the man to keep his left hand high and the right hand low. The man should not grasp the lady's hands at any time--only a pressure between open hands is required. He should start by offering his hands with palms up; the lady accepts by placing her hands on his palms down. The lady's pivot into and out of the pretzel is aided by the man drawing his right hand (her left) toward his left side while rotating his hand counter-clockwise so his palm ends facing down. As she turns clockwise under his left arm, the man will rotate his left hand about 3/4 clockwise so that his palm faces away from him.

Note that all the lady's pivots (Bars 1-2 and 5-6) have the lady turning under the man's left arm while his right arm remains at waist level. Dancers will definitely get into trouble if the man's right arm is raised and his left is dropped.

Here are some rhythmic cueing mnemonics I have used for the Sweetheart formations:

Rhythmic Cueing Mnemonic for the Sweetheart:
Turn 2, 3, and Pivot Lady right, dance around 2, 3, dance around 2, 3, unwind 2, 3 and pivot to face down, peel out 2, 3 and dance to place.

Rhythmic Cueing Mnemonic for the Double (progressive) Sweetheart:
Turn 2, 3, and Pivot Lady right, dance around 2, 3, dance around pass under, travel right 2, 3, and out to partners side, and cross 2, 3 and cross 2, 3.


© Copyright, 1992, by Oberdan Otto
184 Estaban Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010-1611, U.S.A.

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