PROGRESSION IN CONTRA DANCING

As the dance progresses, #1 couples progress AWAY from the band; #2 couples progress TOWARDS the band. A couple's number stays the same, UNTIL the end of the line is reached (as indicated in the following tables).

When a couple reaches the end of the line (front or back) they may "sit out" for one repetition. When they re-enter, their number CHANGES (from #1 to #2, or from #2 to #1). Since couples #1 or #2 often have different moves in contra dancing, it is important to keep track of your number!

NOTATION in the following table:
There are 12 unique people, indicated by the lowercase letters a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l.
"M" denotes a Male, and "W" denotes a Woman.
"1" denotes a #1 couple; "2" denotes a #2 couple.
For example, "hW2" denotes person h, a Woman, #2 couple.
The group of four that dances together in each repetition is highlighted with the same color.

• LINE UP: Line up, men and one side, women on the other.
• IMPROPER: For an "improper" contra dance, #1 couples switch men/women positions. Notice that each column now alternates men and women.
• PROGRESS#1: By the end of the first repetition, within each group of four, the couples have switched position. Notice that #1 couples have all moved one position farther from the band; #2 couples have all moved one position closer to the band. At this point, the first and last couples will "sit out" one repetition. When they re-enter the dance on the next repetition, they will SWITCH NUMBERS AND POSITIONS!
• PROGRESS#2: While each couple "sits out" one round, they switch men/women positions. Also, they SWITCH THEIR NUMBER as they re-enter the dance.
• CLICK ON any person to see how they progress throughout the dance!

Many thanks to Karl Finger for his excellent suggestions on improving this web page.