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Schottisch Espagnole

(Scottisch Espagnole, Scottish Espagnole,
Schotis Español, Spanish Schottische)

(France, 1920s)

The Steps

The steps below are generally described as starting on the Lead's right, Follow's left, as was the custom in Parisian salons at the time.

• Marche / Pas Marqué (Walking Steps): Back the Follow (or the Lead) with slow steps (two beats per step). Style pointers: rise slightly on the toes on the first count (1), and lightly relax the heels back down on the second count (and). Though not explicitly stated, it is generally assumed that this slight rise and fall accompanies all slow steps in the dance. In addition, forward and backward steps are generally executed with "opposition d'épaule" (shoulder opposition), i.e., the left shoulder comes forward slightly as the right foot steps forward, and vice versa [JH20, LR20a, LR20b, PR20, AM21, LM21, AB22, LL22].
• Pas Courus / Petits Pas / Pas du Jazz (Running Steps / Little Steps / Jazz Step): Back the Follow (or the Lead) three small steps in QQS timing (1, and, 2) [LR20a, LR20b, PR20, AM21, LM21, AB22, LL22]. One source has the free foot lifted and elongated in front or behind on the slow step [PR20]. Here are several variations based on the Pas Courus:
  • Petits Pas Répétés (Little Steps Repeated): Do several Pas Courus in a row, on one foot and then the other [LM21, AB22].
  • Marche et Courus (Walk and Run): Two slow walking steps (1, 2) plus three running steps (3, and, 4) [LM21]. Or four slow walking steps (1, 2, 3, 4) plus three running steps (5, and, 6), forwards, backwards, or to the side (in promenade position, crossing the feet) [JH20]. Or three slow walking steps plus two running steps (1, 2, 3, 4, and) [AM21].
  • Petits Pas Tournantes (Little Steps Turning): Do them in place, turning either direction [LR20a, LR20b, LM21].
  • Pivot et Courus (Pivot and Run): Pivot forward to the left on left foot (1), then run backwards (2, and, 3), then pivot back to the right on left foot (4) and run forwards (5, and 6) [LM21].
• Habanéra / Balancé Sur Place (Habanera / Balance in Place): The Lead rocks forward, back, forward in QQS timing (1, and, 2), as the Follow dances opposite [AM21, LM21, AB22, LL22]. One source notes that this step can also be danced with all quick steps, in which case you will dance four Habanera steps across three measures of 4/4 music [LL22].
• Balancé de Coté / Balancé Simple (Side Balance / Simple Balance): Side (1), close without weight (and), and repeat opposite (2, and) [AM21, LM21, AB22].
• Double Balancé (Double Balance): Side, close, side in QQS timing (1, and 2), then bring the free foot behind the supporting foot without weight (and). Repeat opposite (3, and, 4, and) [LM21, AB22]. The fourth action is also sometimes described as a simple close without weight, with a bend of the body [AM21].
• Un et Deux (One and Two): Half of a side balance on one foot (1, and) followed by half of a double balance on the other (2, and, 3, and) [LM21].
• Échappés a Droite (Slides to the Right): A single side (1), close with weight (and) before continuing the Marche [AB22].
• Petits Pas Croisés (Small Crossing Steps): A slow four slide galop to the right (1, and, 2, and, 3, and, 4) and to the left (5, and, 6, and, 7, and 8) [LR20a, LR20b, LL22].
• Pas Espagnol (Spanish Step): A slow eight slide galop to the right (1, and, 2, and, 3, and, 4, and, 5, and, 6, and, 7, and 8) and to the left (9 to 16) [LL22].
• Pour Tourner (To Turn): A slow turning two-step in QQS timing [PR20, AM21, AB22].
• Promenade et Tour (Promenade and Turn): Promenade two slow steps (1, 2), then half two-step around (3, and 4). Repeat opposite (5, 6, 7, and 8) [PR20].
• Voltes (Pivots): Slow pivots, turning to the right [PR20] or left [LM21], taking either two [LM21] or four steps [PR20] to make a complete turn.
• Adapting Other Dances to Schottisch Espagnole: One source notes that steps from Fox Trot or Tango are often added to the Schottisch Espagnole [LM21, LL22].

Sources

• JH20 — Prof. J. Helena and E. Lamare. (c. 1920). Les Danses Modernes, Nouvelle Méthode De Danse. Paris.
• LR20a — L. Robert (dance), E. Gareri (music). (1920). Oye Mariano! Schotis Español [Sheet Music with Dance Description]. Paris.
• LR20b — Professeur Robert (dance), Learsi (music). (1920). El Schotis Español de Los Cascabelles [Sheet Music with Dance Description]. London.
• PR20 — Professeur Riester (dance), J. Chanaud (music). (1920). Scottisch Espagnole pour le Piano [Sheet Music with Dance Description]. Paris.
• AM21 — Albin Michel (ed.). (c. 1921). Les Danses Nouvelles. Paris.
• LM21 — L. Moutin. (1921). Theorie Simplifiee Des Danses Modernes. Paris.
• AB22 — A. Baïssas. (1922). Aide-Mémoire du Danseur, Théorie de Diverses Danses Modernes. Poitiers, France.
• LL22 — L. Lévitte. (c. 1922). Les 15 Danses Modernes Pour Devenir Un Parfait Danseur Mondain. Alger, Algeria

© 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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