Figure 1.--Here an Irish-American boy perfornms his sets ata a Feisana, an Irish dabncing competition. With a few exceptions such as beats, the boys and girls do the same dance sets.

Irish step dancing gets its name because each move in Irish dance is called a step. Irish step dancing evolved as the creation of Irish dancing masters, subsequent to their appearance in the late 18th century. Dancing masters would often travel from town to town, teaching basic dancing steps to those interested and able to pay for them. Since the basic folk dances had been done for centuries in their absence, one must suspect that their appearance was motivated by a desire to learn the "upscale" dance styles then beginning to be introduced from France. The dance masters often paraphrased these dances to fit the traditional music available and, in doing so, laid the basis for much of today's traditional Irish dance--ceili, step, and set. The codification of style that defines modern step dance took place in the 1920's and provided a basis for judging of competitions. Although none can deny the great response and popularity induced by competitions, they also tend to push style into emphasizing extremes in preferred characteristics rather than overall balance of effect. The early (sean-nos) dance style for step emphasized a close form and posture - legs kept together, no high kicks, little or no turning and, obviously, no traveling. Irish step dancing has a distinctive, recognizeable timing. For those who are musically inclined and care about the timing of these dances: the reel is in 2/4 time; the light jig is in 6/8 time; the slip jig is in the complex 9/8 time; the hornpipe is also in 2/4 time, although with a different structure than that of the reel. Irish dancing includes a wide range of different types of dancing, including solo, pair, and group dances. Round and Long dances are group dances, requiring a minimum of four dancers depending on the dance. Round dances are known in step dancing as figure dances, e.g., six-hand reel, eight-hand reel, four-hand jig.) There are four basic Irish step dances (solos): reel, (light) jig, slip jig, and hornpipe. There are, of course, many many variations of reel, light jig, slip jig, and hornpipe steps. Each dancing school has its own versions of the steps.

History

Irish step dancing evolved as the creation of Irish dancing masters, subsequent to their appearance in the late 18th century. Dancing masters would often travel from town to town, teaching basic dancing steps to those interested and able to pay for them. Since the basic folk dances had been done for centuries in their absence, one must suspect that their appearance was motivated by a desire to learn the "upscale" dance styles then beginning to be introduced from France. The dance masters often paraphrased these dances to fit the traditional music available and, in doing so, laid the basis for much of today's traditional Irish dance--ceili, step, and set. The dance masters taught steps, the 8-bar units out of which most Irish traditional dance is constructed. The steps involved both the movements needed for various dances and the foot percussion, called battering, used for rhythmic emphasis. Competitions were often held in which the demonstrations of steps by masters were performed on a table-top or similar small stage. In fact, dancing in a limited space was viewed as such an important aspect of the style that one of the greatest tributes to be paid to a dancer was to note that they could "dance on the top of a plate."

Body Posture

The intricate foot work of step dancers is what captures most ofv the attention. It is, however, the upper body posture that is the modtv destibctive feature of Irish steop dancing. Dancers keep thev body erect abdc their arms still at their side. You can see that with the dabncer here (Figure 1).

Steps

Irish step dancing gets its name because each move in Irish dance is called a step. A dancer puts steps together for the right amount of beats of the music, and then reverse them and does the same thing on the other foot. Then they havecompleted an Irish step dance. The most common steps performed by the dancers include beats, cuts, overs, lifts, and sevens. Some of the more complicated steps are front clicks, hit-it-throughs, and bicycles. This is a little complicated because different regions and schools use different names for steps. A beat does not have the same meaning as in music. A 'beat' in Irish dancing is while high on the toe and hopping on one foot, the other foot puts its toes to the opposite knee. This is a step mostly done by the girls. You rarely see the boys doing it. A 'cut' is a move in which the dancer brings one foot up with a sharp point to the opposite hip.

Structure

The codification of style that defines modern step dance took place in the 1920's and provided a basis for judging of competitions. Although none can deny the great response and popularity induced by competitions, they also tend to push style into emphasizing extremes in preferred characteristics rather than overall balance of effect. The early (sean-nos) dance style for step emphasized a close form and posture - legs kept together, no high kicks, little or no turning and, obviously, no traveling. The preferred style for competition step-dancing changed through the 1950's and 1960's. The availability of lorries, then small stages in halls, and then larger stages, especially in the larger cities made it possible to perform the traveling steps, circular lead-in's, sevens-and-threes, and turns we see as a characteristic of modern step-dance.

Timing

Irish step dancing has a distinctive, recognizeable timing. For those who are musically inclined and care about the timing of these dances: the reel is in 2/4 time; the light jig is in 6/8 time; the slip jig is in the complex 9/8 time; the hornpipe is also in 2/4 time, although with a different structure than that of the reel.

Types

Irish dancing includes a wide range of different types of dancing, including solo, pair, and group dances. Most to the comoetitions at feisana are the solo dancing. There are also group dances, both pairs and even multiples. Irish stepdancing is most characterized by a stiff upper body and rapid, precise movements of the feet. The solo Irish stepdances can be divided depending on the type of shoe worn: hard shoe and soft shoe dances. Irish stepdances include 1) reels, 2) light jigs some times just called jigs, 3)slip jigs, and 4) hornpipess. There are, of course, many many variations of these dance steps. Each dancing school has its own versions of the steps. Most competitive stepdances are solo dances, but many step dancers perform and compete in large or small groups. We notice pairs competionns as well as groups. Pairs dancing is even more difficult than solo dancing. You not onlyy have gto concentrate on your own steps, but have to be aware of those of your partner. This is a little complicated for the child and teen performers as therec are so manybnmore girls than boys involved. And these dances are intended for boy girl pairs. So often the groups arecomposed of girls are mistly girls. Round and Long dances are group dances, requiring a minimum of four dancers depending on the dance. Round dances are known in step dancing as figure dances, e.g., six-hand reel, eight-hand reel, four-hand jig.)

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Created: 2:08 AM 7/6/2013
Last updated: 2:08 AM 7/6/2013