Triplets
DOSADO TRIPLET
By Dottie Welch May 2008
Formation: Proper Contra Lines of three couples
Music: "Come and See Me" on Lloyd Shaw 336
A1 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Right Ends Dosado;
A2 (8) Left Ends Dosado;
(8) Centers Dosado;
B1 (16) Lines of 3 Dosado;
B2 (8) Top Couple Pass Thru and go down around two;
(8) All Two-hand Circle to Place (optional 1/2 or 1);
RAINY DAY TRIPLET
Author: Pat Kelm – 2010 - This was inspired by Market Lass.
Formation: Proper Triplet but with 1st couple improper and facing down
Music: Try "Dusty Bob & Mouse in the Cupboard" on LS 1009
A1 (8) 1's go down the center, Separate around one to a line of three;
(8) Lines Forward and Back;
A2 (8) 1's turn Right three-quarters to lines facing up and down;
(The other dancers turn one-quarter to make these lines.)
(8) Lines of three Forward and Back;
B1 (8) 1's turn Right three-quarters to proper lines;
(8) All Dosado Partner;
B2 (8) 1's Pass Thru and Cast to the foot;
(8) All Swing Partner ending proper but new #1 facing down with
lady on right side of gent.
Double Stars
FOREST HEIGHTS TRIPLET
By Dottie Welch, November 2012
Formation: Three couples in proper contra lines
Music: "Earl Bley's and Fiddle Hill Jig" on Southerner's Plus Two
A1 (8) Top couple Pass Thru and Cast Down around one;
(8) Actives Star Right with couple Below;
A2 (8) Actives Star Left with couple Above;
(8) Right Ends Dosado;
B1 (8) Left Ends Dosado;
(8) All Six Circle Left Halfway around;
B2 (8) Just the Ends Pass Thru and U-Turn Back;
(8) Lines of three Forward and Back;
DOUBLE STAR TRIPLET
By Dottie Welch May 2008
Formation: Proper Contra Lines of three couples
Music: "Burns Hornpipe Medley" on Caledonia Ball LP
A1 (16) All 6 Skinny Circle Left;
A2 (16) All 6 Skinny Circle Right;
B1 (8) Top 4 Star Right;
(8) Bottom 4 Star Left;
B2 (8) Top Couple Slow Chasse to Foot;
(8) Lines of 3 Forward and Back;
Something Different
MINI VIRGINNY
By Dottie Welch, modification of the Virginia No Reel
Formation: Proper Contra Lines of three couples
Music: "Virginia Reel"
A1 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Turn Partner Right;
A2 (8) Turn Partner Left;
(8) Partner Dosado;
B1 (8) Top Couple Reel the Set, Turn Partner Right 1 1/2;
(8) Turn next Opposite Left, Turn Partner Right;
B2 (8) Next Opposite Left, Partner Right to bottom spot;
(8) (If time: Forward and Back);
FLIRT AND FOLLOW
Author: Pat Kelm – 2010;
Formation: Proper Triplet
Music: "Des Oignons/ Reel des Jeunes Maries/ Reel de Montreal" - track 12 on Faster than a Walk
A1 (8) Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Couple #1 Cross Over, Down around behind #2 and into middle;
A2 (8) Couple #1 and #2 make a Right Hand Star;
(8) Couple #1 and #3 make a Left Hand Star;
B1 (8) #1 Lady "flirt" with partner, continue on out and
loop around to foot while her partner follows her;
(8) Same Couple Swing at the foot;
B2 (16) All join hands, Circle Left full around;
(The idea for this came from observing gents in square dancing sometimes turning to follow
his partner during weave the ring and then surprising her from behind at the end for a swing.)
THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL
English Country Dance
Formation: Triplet (any partner combination)
(This triplet was called by Lissa Bengtson at Oklahoma City in 2013 and at Des Moines, Iowa in 2016.)
Formation: Contra lines of three couples with partners facing across.
Music: Traditional Irish tune “Leaving of Liverpool” or some other 64-count reel.
A1 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Centers Gatepost up;
A2 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Centers Gatepost down;
B1 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
B2 (8) Top couple pass right sides, go down behind one dancer and into the middle;
(8) Active couple pass right sides again, go down behind one dancer to the bottom;
Gatepost up: The center dancers hold adjacent hands with the dancer above and those two pivot
full around using the top dancer as the gatepost and the center dancer as the swinging gate.
Gatepost down: The same action as above, except the gatepost is the bottom dancer.
Last 16 beats: The top dancers go across the set passing right sides with their partner,
then out and down behind the second dancer. The actives come into the center again
passing right sides with their partner as they cross over, and finish by going down
behind the third dancer to end at the bottom of the set.
RIGHT HAND HIGH TRIPLET
By Dottie Welch, June 2002
Formation: Proper Contra Lines of three couples
Music: "Moon and 7 Stars Medley" by Kitchen Chair
A1 (8) Lines of three Forward and Back;
(8) Top Couple Cast Off Around One (face up, then out and go down one);
A2 (8) Center two Lead Right, Circle three once and a bit;
(8) Crosswise Lines of three Forward and Back;
B1 (8) Lines Pass Thru;
(8) Right Hand High, Left Hand Low, Reverse;
B2 (8) All six Circle Left 3/4;
(8) Center two Pass Thru and both go Left around one;
(Order at end is 3, 1, 2)
After Circle 3, same sex dancers separate hands to open out facing other line
crosswise of the hall with the lone sex dancer in the centre.
Right Hand High, Left Hand Low: Centre dancer make high arch with dancer on
their right, Left dancer duck through the arch, Right dancer make big loop to
reverse the line without releasing hands.
MONEY MUSK TRIPLET
Idea from Money Musk Traditional American Triple Contra
By Dottie Welch, June 2002 for Canadian National in Saint John, NB,
modified 2009, simplified 2012
Formation: Proper Contra Lines of three couples
Music: "Money Musk" on Folkraft 1148
or "Liberty & Old Grey Cat" by Kitchen Chair (or other Hornpipe)
A1 (8) First couple Dosado and Pass By;
(8) Go out and down around one to the center spot;
A2 (8) Forward six and Back;
(8) Actives two-hand Circle Left 3/4 round, Others turn 1/4 in;
B1 (8) New lines Forward six and Back;
(8) Actives two-hand Circle Left 3/4 round, Others turn 1/4 in;
B2 (8) Proper lines Forward six and Back;
(8) Actives Right-Arm Turn and go out and down to foot;
Actives Circle Left 3/4: After the first time the Actives Circle Left 3/4 the gent will
be facing up and the lady will be facing down. The others (inactives) turn
individually one quarter in to face up or down their own line. They reach out and
make crosswise lines of three with the actives in the center. When this is
repeated everyone should be back where they began.
SCOTTISH SPINOFF
By Dottie Welch, March 2013
Idea from Scottish Country Triplet used by Alex Ritchie at Golden Squares
Set Up: Three couples in proper contra lines
Music: "Ellwyn's Fairy Glen Medley" on Caledonian Ball (Marching Reels)
A1 (8) First couple Pass Thru and Cast Down around one;
(8) Actives Star Right with couple Below;
A2 (8) Actives Star Left with couple Above;
(8) Active Gent lead between ladies around to top and down the center;
B1 (8) Lines of three march down;
(8) Turn Alone and Come Back;
B2 (8) Active Lady go Right, Gent go Left around to foot;
(8) Lines of three Forward and Back;
From the Triplet Specialist in Hannover, Germany
FIRST HANNOVER TRIPLET
Author: Heiner Fischle
Formation: Triplet, couple #1 improper
A1 (8) Top couple Promenade down, U-Turn Back;
(8) Come up, Cast Off;
A2 (8) With the couple below Right-hand Star;
(8) With the couple above Left-hand Star;
B1 (8) With the couple below Right and Left Thru (up and down);
(8) Right and Left back;
B2 (8) Center (active) couple Half Sashay, go outside down;
(8) All Partner Swing;
THIRD HANNOVER TRIPLET
Author: Heiner Fischle
Formation: Triplet
A1 (16) Actives Balance and Swing;
A2 (16) With the ladies Siamese Hey for Three;
(Actives work as a unit; pass lady #3 right shoulder first)
B1 (16) With the gents Siamese Hey for Three;
(Pass gent #3 left shoulder first)
B2 (8) Actives down the center, California Twirl and face;
(8) Lines of three go Forward and Back;
HANNOVER TRIPLET #6
Author: Heiner Fischle
Formation: Triplet, couple #2 improper
A1 (8) Top couple Right and Left Thru;
(8) Same two Right and Left back;
A2 (8) Top couple Pass Thru, Cast to the foot;
(8) Lines of three go Forward and Back;
B1 (8) Bottom two couples Right and Left Thru;
(8) Same two Right and Left back;
B2 (8) Everybody Pass Thru, U-Turn Back;
(8) Lines of three go Forward and Back;
HANNOVER TRIPLET #9
Author: Heiner Fischle
Formation: Triplet, all 3 couples improper, face down
A1 (8) Promenade Down; Wheel Around;
(8) Come up, lead couple separate and go around one;
A2 (8) Lines of three go Forward and Back;
(8) Partner Dosado to an ocean wave;
B1 (8) Turn partner Right Half, those who can Turn Left Half;
(8) Turn Right Half, those who can Turn Left Half;
B2 (8) Turn Right Half, those who can Turn Left Half;
(8) Partner Swing and face down;
HANNOVER TRIPLET #12
Author: Heiner Fischle
Formation: Triplet, couple #1 improper and face down, others face up
A1 (8) Swing Thru;
(8) Spin the Top;
A2 (8) Right and Left Thru;
(8) Square Thru Four hands; *
B1 (8) Swing Thru;
(8) Spin the Top;
B2 (8) Right and Left Thru;
(8) Square Thru Four hands; *
* Those facing out after the Square Thru must do a California Twirl or
a Partner Trade.
HANNOVER TRIPLET #14
Author: Heiner Fischle
Formation: Triplet
A1 (8) Top two couples Balance and Circle Half;
(8) Bottom two couples Balance and Circle Half;
A2 (8) Lines of three go Forward and Back;
(8) Circle Six halfway;
B1 (8) Top couple Pass Thru, Cast Down One;
(8) Same two Pass Thru, Cast Down One;
B2 (8) Same two Pass Thru, Cast Up One;
(8) Lines of three go Forward and Back;
(Progression is 3-1-2)
Petronella Turns
PETRONELLA TRIPLET
Author: Dottie Welch, June 2016
Formation: Alternate Triplet with #1 and #3 crossed
Music: "Petronella"
A1 (8) All six Balance, Petronella turn (to next dancers spot);
(8) Balance the ring, Petronella turn;
A2 (8) Balance the ring, Petronella turn;
(8) All six Circle Left halfway;
B (8) Lines of three Forward and Back;
(12) Top four dancers Star Right once and a half;
(12) Bottom four dancers Star Left once and a half;
Hey for Three
HEY FOR THREE COUPLES
(the Inuit infinity symbol)
By Dottie Welch
Formaiton:Proper Triplet
Music: "Opera Reel" – Laufman or "Cherokee Maid"
Infinity symbol for the Metis, Big Circle for the Mi’kmaw
Both mean unity and unending.
A1 (8) All Forward 3 and Clap own hands, Back 3 and Clap;
(8) All Forward and Back;
A2 (8) Partner Dosado;
(8) Ones Face Down and the others face up, think big figure eight;
B1 (8) Couples Right Hey for Three (#1 & 2 Pass Right, then #1 between;
(8) #3 between, #2 between;
B2 (8) #1 between, #3 between);
(8) Ones Strut down the inside to the foot;
FERRY CROSSING
Author: Pat Kelm (May 2017 and revised later)
Formation: Proper Triplet
Difficulty: Intermediate (good for teaching a mirror hey)
Music: Major Mackey’s Jig on LS 196
A1 (16) First Lady lead the other ladies forward and around the other line of 3,
back to place;
A2 (16) First Gent lead the other gents forward and around the other line of 3,
back to place;
B1 (16) Actives face down for a Full Mirror Hey in each line
beginning on the inside;
B2 (16) Actives turn Partner Right and Cast to the foot,
while the other couples Balance and Swing
On our trip last Spring we were on a less traveled highway when we had to cross
the Illinois River on a ferry pushed by a tug boat.
There was no other choice and the highway lines were painted right on the ferry.
It was a delightful surprise.
Three Couple Versions of Two Couple Calls
TED'S TRIPLET #3 (DIP AND DIVE)
By: Ted Sannella
Formation: Triplet
Music: "Rose Tree"
A1 (8) Top two couples make a Right-hand Star;
(8) The other way back with a Left-hand Star;
A2 (8) First couple go down the center, cross over;
(8) Come up the outside to the top place;
B1 (16) First couple face down, the others face up,
Dip and Dive all six;
B2 (16) First couple cast down the outside and Swing
at the foot of the set;)
RIGHT AND LEFT THRU TRIPLET
By Dottie Welch, June 2002,
Formation: Proper Contra Lines of three couples
Music: "March to May & Bonaparte" on Kitchen Chair
A1 (8) All Swing your Partner, First couple face down, others face up;
(8) Top two Right and Left Thru, New Centers with a full Turn;
A2 (8) Bottom two Right and Left Thru;
(8) Bottom two Veer Left, Active wheel in behind (center), other Veer Right;
B1 (8) Leaders begin Grand Right and Left, all dancers go three hands;
(8) All Face In, Proper Lines of three Forward and Back;
B2 (8) Centers Star Right above;
(8) Centers Star Left below;
(order at end is 3, 1, 2)
Grand Right and Left: At the beginning all couples are facing down the hall.
The original couple #3 is leading at the foot. Couple #3 begins by facing each
other for a right pull by, then they left pull by with couple #1, and right pull by
with couples #2. Meanwhile couple #1 does a right pull by with each other and
then a left pull by with couple #2. Couple #2 finishes with a right pull by.
Star Right above and then Star Left below: Because these are Proper Lines, the
stars will be Boy-Boy-Girl-Girl. After the Star Right above, Gent #1 will lead Lady
#1 into the Star Left below.
LADIES LONG CHAIN TRIPLET
By Dottie Welch, June 2002
Formation: Proper Contra Lines of three couples
Music: "Earl Bley's & Fiddle Hill Jig" on Southerners Plus Two
A1 (8) Lines of three Forward and Back;
(8) All Swing your Partner, first couple face down, others face up;
A2 (8) Ladies Long Chain: Begin with top two couples but centers half turn;
(8) Bottom two couples Chain but centers half turn, top two Chain;
B1 (8) Bottom two Chain, top two Chain;
(8) Bottom two Chain and center half turn to face the top, Tops Veer Left;
B2 (8) Same couples Veer Right, Bottom couples Veer Righ;t
(8) Actives Wheel around at bottom, all face in;
(order at end is 2, 3, 1)
Ladies Long Chain: Ladies give right hands to each other and left to the gents.
Center gent turns half to pass ladies across the set. Original centre lady chains to
top, back to middle, to bottom and back to middle. The outside ladies chain all
the way through and all the way back. Each lady does four chains.
Contra Corners
APRIL FOOL
Author: Stew Shacklette, August 1996
Formation: Proper Triplet (3 couples) – #1 Active
Music: “I Don’t Love Nobody Medley”
A1 (8) Active Couple Swing and end facing down;
(8) Active Couple Down Center, Wheel Around;
A2 (8) Come Up, Cast Off with the 2’s;
(8) Lines of six go Forward and Back;
B1 (16) Active Couple Turn Contra Corners; - ;
B2 (8) Lines of six go Forward and Back;
(8) Active Couple Cast out and Down to foot;
MICROCHASMIC REEL
Author: Ann Fallon
Formation: Proper Triplet Contra Lines
Music: Reels
A1 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Opposite Dosado;
A2 (8) Centers start right hands turn Contra Corners;
(8) (Partner Right, Right Opposite Left, Partner Right, Left Opposite Left);
B1 (16) All Balance and Swing;
B2 (8) All Face Up, "Peel the Banana" (Leaders begin Cast Down the Outside);
(8) First Couple Arch, Others Go under;
INDICATOR TRIPLET (Anzeige Triplet)
Author: Carol David-Blackman, 2011
Formation: Proper Triplet (progression order after the first time through is 2-3-1)
Contra Calls: Pousette, Contra Corners
Music: “Portland Fancy
A1 (8) All Dosado Partner;
(8) Couples 1 and 2 Pousette Man 1 push and Man 2 pull;
A2 (8) Center couple point to the right opposite (4) and left opposite (8);
(8) Turn Contra Corners;
B1 (8) Finish Contra Corners;
(8) Actives Balance and Swing in the center (end facing up);
B2 (8) Actives come up, cast to the foot;
(8) All Forward and Back;
CONTRA CORNERS TRIPLET #2
By Dottie Welch, November 2006
Formation: Proper Contra Lines of three couples
Music: "Butterfly" on Global Music 508
A1 (8) Lines of three Forward and Back;
(8) Top couple down the centers (6 steps and turn alone);
A2 (8) Come back and Cast Off (unassisted);
(8) New Ends Dosado;
B1 (8) New centers Turn Contra Corners, (Partner right, right opposite left;
(8) partner right, left opposite left);
B2 (8) Actives Swing;
(8) Actives go Out and Below One to the bottom;
RORY O'MORE TRIPLET
Traditional, from American Dancing Master, by Elias Howe, Boston, 1862
Formation: Proper Triple or Triplet
Music: "Quigley's Reel & Southerners Hornpipe" on Southerners Plus Two (Ralph Page)
A1 (8) First couple cross over, down the outside below two;
(8) Up the centre, cross to place and Cast Off;
A2 (8) First couple join right hands, Balance, and Slide two steps to the right by each other;
(8) Join left hands and Balance again, and Slide two steps to the left by each other;
B1 (16) First couple (now in the center of threesome) Turn Contra Corners;
(Partner right, right opposite left, partner right, left opposite left)
B2 (16) First couple Balance and turn (Swing) to place;
(If a Triple turn to place in the center of the threesome, if a Triplet move to the foot.)