Dance of the Week
Scott’s Rag
(USA)
Choreographed by Jim Gold 

Dear Dancers and Travelers,
Welcome to our folk dance family! 
Scott’s Rag is the Dance of the Week.
Music is from the USA.
Click on the links below.
See A Treasury of International Folk Dances
Written instructions: p 172   
(or see “Read More” below.)

Jim Gold Dancing Scott’s Rag

Here’s an extra story and song by Jim Gold.

Story:  Tom and the Hebrew Letters
Song:  Saga of Thomas Gilfry    
Tours: See exciting Folk Tour traveling offerings.  Click here

All  content created by Jim Gold. 
More information contact Jim
Blog history: blog archives

SCOTT’S RAG. . .USA

Choreography: By Jim Gold in Ragtime/American folk dance style.
Music: Scott Joplin
Formation: Open circle, hands free
Meter: 4/4
Jim Gold YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AJS26DDoIg
Introduction: 10 measures
Measures:

FIRST STEP
Ragtime Csardas
1 Step R to the right(ct 1), close L to R(ct 2),
step R to the right(ct 3), touch L next to R(ct 4)
2 Repeat meas. 1 opp ft and opp dir,
Suzie Q to the right, CCW
3 Begin with feet together. Then:
1. Spread feet in opp dir, heels touch(ct 1).
2. Place weight on L heel and R toes, twist L toes
diag right and twist R heel diag right,
toes touching(ct 2),
3. Place weight on L toes and R heel, twist L heel to left, twist R toes to right, heels touch(ct 3),
4. Place weight on L heel and R toes; twist L toes diag to right, twist R heel to left, heels touch(ct 4),
4 Repeat meas. 3
2 Charleston Steps
5 Step on R(ct 1-2), kick L(ct 3-4),
Step on L next to R(ct 1-2),
touch R far behind L(ct 3-4),
6 Repeat meas. 5
7-12 Repeat entire First Step.
On meas. 5(cts 3-4) short hold on R ft.

SECOND STEP
8-step cherkessia
1 Cross R over L(ct 1), step on L in place(ct 2),
step on R to side of L(ct 3), step on L(ct 4),
2 Repeat meas. 1
8-step grapevine to left, CW
3 Cross R over L(ct 1), step L to side of R(ct 2),
step R behind L(ct 3), step L to side of R(ct 4),
4 Repeat meas. 3
2 Charleston steps: Repeat meas. 5-6 from First
Step
5-8 Repeat meas. 1-4
9-12 Repeat meas 1-4
13-14 1 Charleston: Repeat meas. 5 from First Step
Turn right in full CCW circle: 4 steps
15 R(ct 1-2), L(ct 3-4),
16 R(ct 1-2), L(ct 3-4).

THIRD STEP
Happy Walk: Moving CCW:
1 Touch R heel forward, Arms move to the right(ct 1),
step on R ft in place(ct 2),
touch L heel fwd, arms move to the left(ct 3),
step on L ft in place(ct 4).
2-8 Repeat meas. 1 7x

FOURTH STEP
Simian gallop: Swing arms low
1 Fall on R ft(ct 1),
step on L about 4 inches from R(ct 2):
arms down and moving back
Fall on R ft(ct 3),
step on L about 4 inches from R(ct 4),
arms down and moving forward
2-4 Repeat meas. 1 3x
5-8 Repeat meas. 1-4 turn to right in a full CW circle.

ORDER OF STEPS
1. First Step: 1x, Second Step: 1x, Third Step: 1x, Fourth Step: 1x
2. First Step:
Break: During slow music:
Touch R forward(ct 1,2);
touch R toe to side(ct 3,4),
circle R ft(ronde de jambe)(ct 1,2,3),
touch R toe to floor(ct 4).
3. Second Step: 1x, Third Step: 1x, Fourth Step: 1x
4. 1. First Step: 1x, Second Step: 1x, Third Step: 1x, Fourth Step: 1x
5. 1. First Step: 1x, Second Step: 1x