Plus
Cut the Diamond
Links: Define – Standard – Analyze – Module – Other – Extend
Choreography for Patter Teaching with Singing Call Options:
Teaching Tips:
Cut the Diamond
A) Points must slide together without turning, then trade once they have made contact.
B) Points will meet with their center (inside, pointing) hand. “Hiyah!” chopping styling.
C) For both Cut the Diamond and Flip the Diamond, the initial points wind up facing the opposite wall (it turns them around 180 degrees).
D) On all diamond calls, the centers always circulate. The points do all the other work.
More teaching suggestions:
— Points are following the same path as they would for a Cross Run.
— For normal Diamonds, points finish beside the dancer they were following.
Quick quote: “Points slide in and trade, others Diamond Circulate”
Teaching Standard Applications:
Short Singer:
Heads Lead Right, Veer Left,
Ladies Hinge, Very Centers Trade,
Diamond Circulate, Cut the Diamond,
Patter: Girls Circulate, Half Circulate and Bend the Line, Home
Short Singer: California Twirl, [and Roll and Swing], Promenade
Longer Version:
Heads Lead Right, Veer Left,
Ladies Hinge, Very Centers Trade,
Diamond Circulate, Cut the Diamond,
California Twirl, Ferris Wheel,
Centers Pass Thru, Left Swing Thru,
Patter: Boys Circulate, Girls Fold, Single File Promenade Home
Singer: Girls Run, Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Four Ladies Chain Across,
Heads Pass the Ocean, Extend,
Swing Thru, Boys Run,
Girls Hinge, Diamond Circulate,
Cut the Diamond, Tag the Line,
Patter: Girls Trade, Star Thru, Couples Circulate, Half Tag, Trade and Roll, Allemande Left, Face In, Home
Singer: Face Left, Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heads Promenade Halfway,
Down the Middle Pass the Ocean,
Extend, Single Hinge,
Split Circulate once and a half,
Diamond Circulate, Cut the Diamond,
Patter: 3/4 Tag the Line, Girls Face Right, Cut the Diamond, Ferris Wheel, Centers Slide Thru, Home
Singer: California Twirl, [and Roll and Swing], Promenade
(Note: first 3 lines = Heads Square Thru, Touch 1/4)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heads Promenade Half,
Heads Pass the Ocean, Extend,
Girls Run, 3/4 Tag the Line,
Boys Face Right, Diamond Circulate,
Cut the Diamond,
Patter: Girls Circulate, California Twirl, Promenade (short)
Singer: California Twirl, Couples Circulate, Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Boys Cut:
Heads Square Thru Two, Touch 1/4,
Split Circulate once and a half,
Girls Swing Thru,
Cut the Diamond, Couples Circulate,
Half Tag, Single Hinge,
Patter: Boys Run, Promenade
Singer: Girls Circulate, Boys Run (or Swing), Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
With other Plus Calls:
Heads Half Sashay and Star Thru,
Veer Left, Ladies Hinge, Very Centers Trade,
Diamond Circulate, Very Centers Trade,
Cut the Diamond, Cast Off 3/4,
Load the Boat,
Patter: Allemande Left, Face In, Home
Singer: Swing and Promenade (short or full around)
(Note: Shorten by replacing Load the Boat with Slide Thru)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heads Lead Right, Veer Left,
Ladies Hinge, Very Center Ladies Trade,
Diamond Circulate, Cut the Diamond,
Ferris Wheel, Double Pass Thru,
Track Two, Recycle,
Patter: Allemande Left, Promenade
Singer: Swing and Promenade Short
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *