Contra dancing and square dancing share many of the same basic steps, including swings, promenades, do-si-dos, and allemandes. However, a square dance set comprises only four couples. The number of couples participating in a contra dance set is unlimited, usually determined by the length of the dance hall.
During a square dance, dancers are prompted or cued through a sequence of steps throughout the entire set. In contra dancing, however, the caller uses choreographed dances. The caller explains the steps, walking the dancers through the sequence before beginning the dance. The dancers begin to remember the sequences after running through them a few times, requiring less direction from the caller. Contra dancers claim they are able to concentrate less on the caller, enabling them to listen and enjoy the music.
