Basic Movements Flashcards
Bow
Stand with the feet and arms in 1st position, the arms may be by the sides or in 1st. Bow by slowly inclining the body forwards and return to the original position. If the arms are by the sides, they should be taken to 1st position on the 1st count following the bow (unless otherwise stated). The depth of the bow must not be exaggerated, and the count varies according to each dance.
Hop
A movement of elevation beginning on the ball of one foot and finished by landing on the ball of the same foot.
Spring
A movement of elevation begun on the ball of one foot, and finished by landing on the ball of the other foot.
Step
A transfer of weight from one foot onto the ball of the other foot. Can be executed with or without travel, and where specifically designated, the heel may be lowered to finish on the flat foot.
Assemble
A movement of elevation begun on the ball of one foot, and finished by landing simultaneously on the balls of both feet in 3rd or 5th position.
Disassemble
A movement of elevation begun in a closed position with the weight of the body equally distributed on the balls of both feet and finished by landing on the ball of one foot with the other placed in, or raised to, a specified position. There is no travel on this movement, and unless otherwise stated, during the elevation there is no extension of the foot upon which the dancer is to land.
Change
A movement of elevation begun with the weight of the body on the balls of both feet in 5th position and finished by landing on the balls of both feet simultaneously in 5th position with the other foot in front. During the elevation, there is no extension towards 2nd aerial position. This movement may also be executed using 3rd position.
Leap
A movement of elevation begun from the balls of both feet in 5th position, extending both legs towards 2nd aerial position, and finished by landing simultaneously on the balls of both feet in 5th position with or without change of feet. On the extension during elevation, both the legs should be straight.
Outwards Brush
The half point of the working foot lightly touches the ground in its progress from 3rd aerial position very low to an open aerial position, or from a rear position, through 1st position to 4th aerial position. When an outward brush is extended in conjunction with a spring or hop, the working foot touched the ground almost simultaneously on landing.
Inwards Brush
The half point of the working foot lightly touches the ground in its progression from an open aerial position to an accepted closed position (see shuffle) or to 3rd aerial position low (see hop-brush-beat-beat).
Shake
A shake is always executed in conjunction with a hop.
Shake for Seann Truibhas
The working foot is progressively extended by two or more subsidiary movements (called shake actions) from 3rd or 5th position to 2nd aerial high. The shake action come from the knee controlled by the thigh and they should be started while flexing the knee of the supporting leg in preparation for the hop, simultaneously on landing from which, the working foot arrives at its highest point.
Counting: “and and a 1”
Shake for Highland Fling
The movement is always preceded by a placing of the working foot in 3rd or 5th position from where it is extended to 4th intermediate aerial using only one subsidiary movement. Thus, the actual shake movement consists of 2 shake actions, the 1st finished with the working foot in 4th intermediate aerial low, and the second with that foot arriving at 4th intermediate aerial simultaneously on landing from the accompanying hop.
Counting: (including the preceding placing of the working foot) “1 and a 2” or “1 and a 2”
Pas de Basque
Preparing with an extension of the working foot to second aerial position low; spring to that side, bringing the new working foot to third or fifth position, placing it on the half point, then beat (without exaggeration) the ball of the other foot in third or fifth rear position, at the same time sharply extending the front, if required, to begin the next movement. The same position, third or fifth, must be used throughout the movement. When a turn, or part of a turn, is executed using two Pas de Basques, there is no extension to finish the first Pas de Basques, and the second is danced with little or no travel. This movement may also be danced with other than lateral travel, in which case the extension of the starting foot is along the required line of travel, generally towards fourth intermediate position.
Counting for 2 Pas de Basques:
Sword: “1& 2 3& 4” (imperfect half beat rhythm)
All other dances: “1 & 2 3 &; 4” (perfect half beat rhythm)
Open Pas de Basque
As in Pas de Basques, except that the front foot is placed in fourth-opposite-fifth position, and there is no extension at the finish. This movement is used only in the Sword dance, and in the quick steps is also executed using fourth position, fourth intermediate position and second position.
