Today, SCD uses ballet steps; ECD walking steps; although in earlier times there were prescribed steps in ECD.
A dance (duple minor or triple minor) done in a longwise set is danced a fixed number of times in SCD, with a major set of four couples; in ECD, in a major set for “as many as will,” and not danced a fixed number of times.
For the above reason, the most frequently danced SCD dances are triple minors; the most frequent ECD dances are duple minors.
- Thus, in ECD, many formerly triple minor dances have been changed either to three-couple or to duple minor.
- Some ECD duple minor dances interact with the next minor set.
For the same reason, ECD dances are danced to the same tune for every repetition; in SCD, the band usually plays the “proper” tune on the first and last time through, but may play any appropriate tune for the other repetitions.
SCD uses only four dance tempos: reel (and hornpipe) (2/4, 2/2, or 4/4 time), jig (6/8 time), strathspey (a slow reel: unique to SCD), and waltz (3/4 time) (rarely; usually in Ceilidh dances). (In “horsey” terms, a strathspey is like a walk, a reel like a trot, and a jig like a gallop or canter. [However, usually the most challenging dances are reels rather than jigs.]) ECD uses all these (except strathspey), and also slip jigs (9/8 time), and dances in 3/2 time.
SCD dances are almost always in 8 bar phrases; ECD occasionally uses 6 and 10 bar phrases.
Terminology is usually common, but there are exceptions: what is called a hey in ECD (and in contra dancing) is called a reel in SCD.
In SCD, “double progression” means two sets of couples are dancing at once: in a duple minor longways set, the first couple starts with the second couple, progresses one place, then the first couple dances with the third couple and progresses one place; then the first couple dances with the fourth couple while the second couple dances with the third couple. In ECD, “double progression” (for triple minor longways sets) means the dancing couple(s) progress two places instead of one.
The figure “hands across” is often called a “star” in ECD (also in square dancing and contra dancing) but a “wheel” in SCD.
The figure “Allemande” means different things in different styles of dancing: in contra dancing and square dancing, it means a hand-in-hand turn; in ECD and SCD it is a more complicated figure.
- ECD Allemande
- SCD Allemande
- In Modern Western Square Dancing, “Allemande” is almost always “Allemande Left,” although “Allemande Right” is called occasionally: it is a turn with left (or right) forearms.
- In contra dancing and traditional square dancing, “Allemande” (right or left) is a turn with an “arm wrestling” turn.
- In ECD and SCD a hand-in-hand (or “handy-hand” turn) is (usually) with a “handshake” turn.
In the heyday of country dancing (18th and early 19th centuries) longways dances were danced in long sets for “as many as will.” To start, the first couple would dance with the next couple (duple minor) or next two (triple minor), progressing down the set one place in each repetition. The second couple would start on the third repetition (duple minor) or fourth repetition (triple minor), and would progress one place also. When each couple reached the bottom, they would progress up, and the dance would continue until the first couple reached the top of the set once again. This could take perhaps a half hour. Further (as I understand) couples were engaged for two dances, rather than one, as is the practice today. After the two dances, there would be a break, for meals or refreshments. The practice of keeping couples together is continued today in Modern Western Square Dancing, but not in contra, ECD, or SCD. The practice of only one couple beginning a dance (rather than every two [duple minor] or every three [triple minor]) is continued today only in SCD in duple minor dances (“two couple dance in a four couple set”).

Comparison of English Country Dance (ECD) with Scottish Country Dance (SCD)

Web sites for Scottish Country Dancing

Web sites for English Country Dancing

Other sites