Tipple Chasse & Ripple Chasse

by Wayne & Barbara Blackford

The basic Chasse is a method of one foot chasing the other. In Round Dancing, the steps are side, close, side and may start with either foot. Adding a “ripple” or a “tipple” to your Chasse is a matter of using side stretch. Don’t drop one shoulder or raise the other, but incorporate sway into your whole torso.

Swaying or directing your shoulders away from your line of progression is a Ripple. For the man, it is a right sway in semi-closed position where the partners straighten up on the 4th step.

The Tipple is when the couple normally sways in the direction of the Chasse and gives the impression of “tipping.” It usually starts in closed position facing reverse line of dance. The man steps back with his left foot turning ¼ right-face. He then steps side right/close left to right with slight left side stretch. This stretch is the Tipple – tipping the upper body in the direction of progression. He then steps side and forward right with another 1/8 turn to face line of dance and center in closed position. The figure may begin with the trailing foot in which case the turn would be to the left, the stretch right-side, and ending line and wall.

A Tipple Chasse Pivot is a combination of the Tipple Chasse and a one-step pivot action done on the last step of the Chasse.