Set Dancing Steps
A wide variety of set dancing steps is incorporated in local dancing styles. To learn these properly, dancers should study the style and steps of older traditional dancers in the areas from which the sets originate or, if this is not possible, they should learn them from a competent dancing instructor. Nowadays many of the popular sets are danced in a uniform style which in some cases bears little resemblance to the traditional form of the set. While a certain degree of uniformity is, I suppose, inevitable, we must at all times endeavour to preserve the unique style and steps of the various sets. The extra effort required to assimilate the individual traits that give each set its character and appeal will be well rewarded. Indeed it is my belief that it is necessary to do this, in order to enjoy different sets. Like the people who developed them. and danced them. locally for generations, all of the dances are special. Keeping this in mind, I believe it best to describe here just the standard basic steps to each music form. It is practically impossible to describe in written form, or indeed to learn from such descriptions, the intricacies involved in and the visual effect of the more traditional steps: one has to see them to understand. We may say that there are two [polka - reel] basic steps from which most of the others are created.