For those new to the captivating world of Irish dance, the terminology and techniques can seem like a whole new language. This guide aims to break down the essential Irish dance terms and steps, offering a step-by-step introduction to help you understand and appreciate this vibrant art form. Whether you’re considering taking your first class or simply curious about the different moves, this resource will provide a helpful starting point.
Types of Irish Dances: Stepping into Rhythm
Irish dance encompasses a variety of styles, each with its unique rhythm, steps, and footwear. Understanding these different types is your first step in learning Irish dance step by step.
Reel: This is a lively and flowing soft shoe dance, characterized by its even rhythm. Think of it as a brisk walk, counted as 1-2-3-4. The music, in 4/4 or 2/4 time, encourages a light and airy feel, making it a great starting point for beginners. Imagine gliding across the floor with each step perfectly timed to the music.
Light Jig: Bouncier than a reel, the light jig is another soft shoe dance that brings a playful energy. Its rhythm is uneven, often counted as ONE-2-THREE or 1-2-3-FOUR, reflecting the 6/8 time signature of the music. Picture yourself skipping lightly, with a spring in your step, perfectly matching the upbeat tempo.
Slip Jig: Known for its graceful and flowing movements, the slip jig is a soft shoe dance with a more complex rhythm. Counted as ONE-2-THREE-4-FIVE-6, the 9/8 time signature creates a smooth, almost waltz-like feel. Visualise long, elegant strides and seamless transitions, embodying the fluidity of this dance.
Alt text: Graceful Irish dancers in soft shoes executing reel steps, showcasing the light and flowing movements characteristic of reel dances, a fundamental style in Irish step dance.
Treble Jig: Switching to hard shoes, the treble jig is an energetic dance with a distinctive 1-2-THREE rhythm. The 6/8 time music drives the powerful, rhythmic sounds of the hard shoes. Envision sharp, percussive movements, each step creating a clear and impactful beat, demonstrating the strength and precision of hard shoe dancing.
Hornpipe: Another hard shoe dance, the hornpipe has a catchy 1-TWO-1-TWO rhythm, set to 2/4 or 4/4 time music. It’s known for its sharp, deliberate steps and often incorporates nautical themes in its styling. Imagine a sailor’s dance, strong and grounded, with each beat clearly defined by the rhythmic tapping of the hard shoes.
Treble Reel: Performed in hard shoes, the treble reel maintains the even 1-2-3-4 rhythm of the soft shoe reel but amplifies it with the percussive sounds of hard shoes. It’s all about fast footwork and creating intricate rhythms with your feet. Think of the reel, but now with added power and complexity from the hard shoe steps, demanding speed and precision.
Set Dance: These hard shoe dances are choreographed to specific pieces of traditional music, either in treble jig or hornpipe tempo. A traditional set is a fixed choreography and music combination, passed down through generations. A non-traditional set or contemporary set offers more freedom, with original choreography set to traditional music. Consider set dances as mini-performances, each telling a story through pre-set steps and music, showcasing both tradition and creativity.
Solo Dances: As the name suggests, these are dances performed by an individual, allowing dancers to showcase their personal style and skill.
Figure Dances: These are team dances, requiring coordination and precision among multiple dancers, creating intricate patterns and formations on stage.
Essential Irish Dance Skills and Techniques: Building Blocks to Mastery
Understanding the fundamental techniques is crucial to learning Irish Dancing Step By Step. These terms describe the core movements and positions that form the foundation of Irish dance.
Cross: This refers to positioning your legs so that one knee appears to be behind the other. This crossed position is a hallmark of Irish dance posture and is almost always paired with “turnout.” Imagine drawing your knees together, creating a slender and elegant leg line.
Turnout: This is the rotation of the legs outward from the hips. Proper turnout is essential for Irish dance technique and aesthetics. It ensures that when legs are crossed, heels are pushed forward, and toes point towards the midline. Crucially, turnout should originate from the hips, not forced from the feet or knees. Think of rotating your legs from the hip joints, allowing your knees and toes to follow naturally in the same outward direction.
Point: A basic yet fundamental movement. It involves hopping on one foot while extending the other foot forward, pointing the toes. The pointed foot should gently brush the floor in a quick, staccato motion. A proper “point” displays a strong arch in the foot, with the heel visible inwards, the top of the foot turned outwards, and toes extended and tight. Practice lifting onto the ball of your supporting foot while extending the other leg, focusing on creating that sharp, clean line from your hip through your pointed toes.
Alt text: Close-up shot of an Irish dancer’s foot demonstrating a point, highlighting the arched foot, turned-out leg, and extended toes, key elements of proper point technique in Irish dance.
Hop 1-2-3’s: A foundational traveling step. With legs crossed and feet turned out, you step forward “right, left, right, hop (on right foot), left, right, left, hop (on left foot),” and repeat. This step builds rhythm and coordination, crucial for many Irish dances. Start slowly, focusing on maintaining turnout and cross while stepping and hopping in the rhythmic pattern.
7’s & 3’s: Another basic step sequence for lateral movement. Dancers step sideways “right, left, right, left…” for seven counts, then step “right back-2-3, left back-2-3” and repeat. This step emphasizes rhythmic footwork and controlled side-to-side movement. Practice shifting your weight smoothly from side to side, maintaining turnout and cross throughout the sequence.
Switch: A jump performed in place where you switch which foot is in front and which is in back while in the air. This adds a dynamic element and helps develop jump height and control. Focus on jumping straight up and down, cleanly swapping your feet positions mid-air, and landing softly with control.
Over: A leaping movement from one foot, extending one leg while tucking the other underneath, and landing on the opposite foot. Over-the-bridge refers to an “over” performed in reel tempo, sometimes called “over-2-3.” Imagine leaping across a small obstacle, extending one leg high while neatly tucking the other, and landing gracefully on the opposite foot.
Batter: A hard shoe movement where the tip of the shoe brushes the floor outwards and then inwards, creating two distinct sounds. Other schools might call this a “treble” or “rally.” Focus on using your ankle and foot to create a sharp, brushing motion with the tip of your hard shoe, aiming for two clear, separate sounds with each batter.
Click: In hard shoe dancing, this involves passing one foot by the other and clicking the heels of the hard shoes together. Clicks can also be simulated in soft shoe, though the heels don’t actually touch. Practice bringing your heels together sharply and quickly as you pass one foot by the other, creating a clear, clicking sound with your hard shoes.
Irish Dance Competition Terms: Navigating the Feis World
For those interested in competitive Irish dance, understanding these terms is your next step.
Feis: Pronounced “FESH,” this Irish word means “festival” but refers to a sanctioned Irish dance competition.
Feiseanna: The plural of feis, pronounced “FESH-nah.”
Oireachtas: Pronounced “O-ROCK-tus,” meaning “gathering” in Irish, this generally refers to the Regional Championships in Irish dance.
Southern Region Oireachtas (SRO): The regional championship for the Southern region, a qualifying event for major competitions.
Majors: Championship events like the North American Irish Dancing Championships, with strict entry requirements based on qualification.
North American Irish Dancing Championships (NAIDC): A major championship event, sometimes called “Nationals” or “North American Nationals” (NANs).
Teelin School Dress: The official competition costume for dancers representing the Teelin School of Irish Dance in solo feiseanna and figure dancing championships.
Alternate School Dress: A less formal dress option for Teelin dancers, often worn by beginners and younger dancers.
Solo Dress / Solo Costume: Unique and often elaborate costumes worn for champion level solo dance competitions.
Abbreviations for Competition Levels and Teelin Classes:
- Beg: Beginner Grade
- Adv Beg (AB): Advanced Beginner Grade
- AB/N: Advanced Beginner/Novice Grade
- Nov (N): Novice Grade
- N/PW: Novice/Prizewinner Grade
- PW: Prizewinner Grade
- Prelim: Preliminary Championship
- Open: Open Championship
Acronyms for Organizations and Certifications:
- CLRG (An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha): The Irish Dancing Commission based in Dublin, the main governing body of Irish Dance.
- TMRF: Teaching certificate awarded by CLRG for ceili dance instruction.
- TCRG: Teaching certificate from CLRG for solo and ceili dance instruction.
- ADCRG: Adjudicating (judging) certificate awarded by CLRG to certified teachers.
- IDTANA (Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America): Organization for Irish dance teachers in North America.
- NAFC (North American Feis Commission): Governing body for feiseanna in North America.
- CCE (Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann): International organization for Irish traditional music and culture.
The Story Behind Teelin School of Irish Dance
Teelin School of Irish Dance carries a rich heritage. Maureen Berry, the founder, named the school after Teelin (Teileann), the birthplace of her mother, Brigid Berry, in County Donegal, Ireland.
Teelin, a picturesque coastal village in northern Ireland, is known for its natural beauty and strong Irish traditions in music and language. “Teileann an tSeanchias agus an Cheoil” translates to “Teelin of Tradition and Music,” reflecting the deep cultural roots that inspire the Teelin School of Irish Dance in Maryland. The dramatic cliffs of Slieve League near Teelin, among the highest sea cliffs in Europe, echo the powerful and dynamic spirit of Irish dance itself.
Alt text: Panoramic view of the majestic Slieve League cliffs in County Donegal, Ireland, showcasing the dramatic height and rugged beauty of the landscape that inspired the name Teelin School of Irish Dance.
Conclusion: Your First Steps in Irish Dance
This guide provides a foundational understanding of Irish dance terms and techniques. Learning Irish dance step by step is a rewarding journey. Embrace the rhythm, practice the steps, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of Irish dance. Whether you aim to dance socially or competitively, understanding these basics is your first step on a path filled with music, movement, and cultural connection. For further learning, consider exploring instructional DVDs and, most importantly, finding a qualified Irish dance teacher to guide you on your dance journey.
