I like triple minors where the 1s can really help the 2s and 3s know which role they are dancing  are good for helping people new to the formation.  A couple that are good for this are "Young Widow" and "Sackett's Harbor."  If the 1s are assertive they can make it plain to the others which role they are dancing.

Jonathan

From: Jacob or Nancy Bloom via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2025 9:39 AM
To: Allison and Hunt Smith <huntandallison@gmail.com>
Cc: Contra Callers <contracallers@sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Easy Triple Minor?
 
Hi Allison,
I recommend the 18th century dance Swiss Allemande.  Historical note: Swiss Allemande and Allemande Swiss were two different tunes, and multiple dances were written to both of them.  The dance below was published by the dancing master Benjamin Walker in 1784.  More information is available on my blog at dancehistoryalive.com/blog/2018/0

Swiss Allemande  Proper Triple Minor  Walker 1784

The (Ladies/Ravens/First Line/People Facing The Door) take hands and the first (whatever) leads their line around the other three people and back to place
The (Gents/Larks/Second Line/People Facing The Windows) do the same
First couple down the center, return and cast off one place
All clap (own hands, right hand with partner, own hands, left hands with partner, own, right, own, left), two hand turn with partner

At the start of the next time through the dance the former second (whatever) is likely to have to run to catch up with the two people in their new minor set.  Let the dancers know in advance that this is likely to happen, and that it's part of the fun of the dance.

Jacob Bloom



On Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 9:33 AM Allison and Hunt Smith via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I've had a request which I would love to honor, to teach Moneymusk to my dance community. It's a perpetual "advanced beginner/intermediate" group, with some very good dancers here and there. I think that with time, we could make it work, but I would love to introduce the concept of triple minor with something simpler. I could certainly do any number of ECDs, but do any of you know of a relatively easy contra in triple minor? Sort of a "Triple Minor 101"?
Thanks!
Allison in Maine

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