Military Schottische

(Military Schottisch/sh, Pas de Quatre,
Dancing in the Barn, Barn Dance,
Kentucky Jubilee, Star Schottische,
L'Américaine, Schottische Militaire)

{1880s - Present}

Introduction

The Military Schottische is a late 19th century modification of the mid-century Schottische.

Instead of dancing the first part in closed position into and out of the room, the first part is danced in open position along LOD.

This version of the Schottische is still popular to this day, and now includes many creative variations.

The Dance

The Position

First Half: Side by side facing LOD, in half closed position [AD88, MG90, ES92, GW98, MW99, AD00, WL03, AN03, FN14] or holding inside hands [RC88, ES92, JL94, EB95, PD95a, PD95b, JL95, HS95, PA98, JS98, TL99, AW02, AN03, PW04]. Perhaps with Lead's left hand on hip, Follow's right hand holding dress [JL94, EB95, PD95a, JL95, WL03].

           

Second Half: Waltz position [RC88, AD88, MG90, JL94, JL95, HS95, JS98, AD00, AW02, WL03, PW04].

The Steps

• 📽 Part I: Starting outside feet, run three steps (1, 2, 3) and hop (4) along LOD. Then repeat with inside feet (5, 6, 7, 8) [RC88, MG90, PD95b, JL95, HS95, PA98, JS98, TL99, BB12, FN14]. Some sources specify that the free foot is raised in front on the hop [RC88, JL95, HS95, PA98, TL99].
• OR: Starting outside feet, slide (1), cut (2), leap (3), hop (4) along LOD. Then repeat with inside feet (5, 6, 7, 8) [AD88, ES92, GW98, AD00, AW02, PW04]. Some sources specify that the free foot raised in front on the hop [ES92, AW02, PW04].
• 📽 OR: Starting outside feet, slide (1), close (2), slide (3), hop (4) along LOD. Then repeat with inside feet (5, 6, 7, 8) [JL94, EB95, PD95a, AN03]. Most sources specify that the free foot raised in front on the hop [JL94, EB95, PD95a].
• OR: Starting outside feet, slide (1), close (2), leap (3), hop (4) along LOD. Then repeat with inside feet (5, 6, 7, 8) [MG90, MW99, WL03]. All sources specify that the free foot is raised in front on the hop [MG90, MW99, WL03].


• 📽 Part II: Two full clockwise rotations as a couple using four hopped 180° pivot steps: step-hop (Lead backing), step-hop (Follow backing), step-hop (Lead backing), step-hop (Follow backing) (1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8) [RC88, AD88, MG90, ES92, EB95, PD95a, PD95b, PA98, JS98, GW98, TL99, MW99, AD00, AW02, PW04, FN14]. Some source specifies that the free foot is raised behind the hopping foot, close to the ankle, toe pointing the floor [AW02, PW04].
• 📽 OR: Two full clockwise rotations of Waltz [RC88, MG90, ES92, JL94, EB95, PD95a, PD95b, JL95, HS95, AW02, AN03, WL03, PW04, FN14]. Exactly what kind of waltz isn't always specified, but one good option for waltzing in schottische time is Waltz Galop [MG90].

Variations

Several sources provide variations that can be added to the dance:

• Continuous Pivots: "There are some who only use the motions of the second phrase throughout the entire dance," meaning continuous pivots [AD88, GW98, AD00]. As a more reasonable variation, one iteration of the first half can be replaced with extra pivots, for 12 continuous pivots.
• Reverse Pivots: The pivots in the second part can also be danced counterclockwise, with the Follow backing around first [AD88, GW98, AD00].
• Pursuit: The second part can also be danced backing the Lead (or backing the Follow) [AD88, AD00].
• Underarm Turn: Holding inside hands, the Follow turns under the arm on Part II, while the Lead travels forward. The number of turns is unspecified, but two full turns (as she usually does) is logical [MG13].
• Rollaway: On Part II, both partners turn away from partner, spinning solo. The number of turns is unspecified, but two full turns (as they usually do) is logical [MG13].
• Casting: From crossed hands (right-in-right and left-in-left), the Follow crosses in front of the Lead, passing to the inside lane. "Repeat to regain places," which could mean either that the Follow goes in front to the outside lane, or the Lead goes in front to the inside lane [MG13].
• Double It: One source has both parts doubled, i.e., do Part I twice, then Part II twice [RC88].

The Music

Schottische music, usually specified at 76 bpm [AD88, MG90, AD00, WL03].

The dance's various nicknames (Pas de Quatre, Dancing in the Barn, Barn Dance, Kentucky Jubilee) come from songs that it was popularly danced to at the time.

Sources

• RC88 — R. M. Crompton (dance), Meyer Lutz (music). (1888). Pas de Quatre, The Enormously Successful Dance from Opera Burlesque "Faust Up to Date." London.

     See Original Description



• AD88 — Allen Dodworth. (1888). Dancing and Its Relations to Education and Social Life (New and Enlarged Edition). New York.

     See Original Description





• MG90 — M. B. Gilbert. (1890). Round Dancing. Portland, ME.

     See Original Description







• ES92 — Edward Scott. (1892). Dancing as an Art and Pastime. London.

     See Original Description






• JL94 — J. Lagus (dance), Paul Chabeaux (music), C. Léon (history). (c. 1894). Biarritz Pas de Quatre. Paris.

     See Original Description




• EB95 — E. Beïsson. (1895). Pas de Quatre pour Piano. Paris.

     See Original Description



• PD95a — Paul Dedieu-Petérs. (1895). La Chasse, Pas de Quatre avec la Théorie. Paris.

     See Original Description



• PD95b — Paul Dedieu-Petérs. (1895). Royal-Gardénia, Pas de Quatre pour le Piano. Paris.

     See Original Description



• JL95 — J. Lagus. (1895). Reglas Para Los Bailes De Salon. Barcelona.

     See Original Description




• HS95 — Henri de Soria Fils. (c. 1895). Manuel Du Maintien Et De La Danse (Deuxième Édition). Paris.

     See Original Description







• PA98 — Paul André. (1898). Royalty, Pas de Quatre. Paris.

     See Original Description



• JS98 — J. Scott Skinner (ed.). (c. 1898). The People's Ball Room Guide and Manual of Dancing. Dundee.

     See Original Description



• GW98 — George E. Wilson. (1898). The Little Dancing Master. New York. [Abbreviated copy of AD88.]

     See Original Description




• TL99 — T. Ledgett-Byrne (1899). Terpsichore, Her Votaries and Fashions. Dublin.

     See Original Description





• MW99 — Marguerite Wilson. (1899). Dancing. A Complete Guide to all Dances, with a Full List of Calls, the Music for each Figure, Etiquette of the Dances, and One Hundred Figures for the German. Philadelphia.

     See Original Description




• AD00 — Allen Dodworth, T. George Dodworth. (1900). Dancing and Its Relations to Education and Social Life (New and Enlarged Edition). New York. [Copy of AD88.]

     See Original Description





• AW02 — Prof. A. C. Wirth. (1902). Complete Quadrille Call Book and Dancing Master. Chicago.

     See Original Description







• WL03 — Washington Lopp. (1903). La Danse. Paris.

     See Original Description




• AN03 — Albert W. Newman. (1903). A Complete Practical Guide to Modern Society Dancing. Philadelphia.

     See Original Description




• PW04 — Professor Wilkinson. (1904). Dancing without an Instructor. Philadelphia. [Abbreviated copy of AW02.]

     See Original Description







• BB12 — Prof. B. Bottallo. (1912). Guide du Bon Danseur. Paris.

     See Original Description




• MG13 — M. B. Gilbert, Susan Hoffman Gilman (ed.). (1913). School Dances. New York.

     See Original Description



• FN14 — Frank H. Norman, Sr. (1914). Complete Dance Instructor. Montreal.

     See Original Description

© 2015, 2018 Nick Enge

For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.

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