Grade 1 Highland Flashcards
Supporting foot
- Foot supporting the weight of the body = supporting foot.
-While dancing, it is always the ball of the working foot that is in contact with the ground. Landing from the elevated movements should be centered on the ball of the foot with the knee over the middle toe.
Working foot
- Other foot (not supporting weight) = working foot.
- When it has to be placed in or raised to any specified position whilst executing a movement of elevation, that foot arrives at the position simultaneously while landing on the ball of the supporting foot, unless otherwise stated.
- The dancer should land on the count during a movement of elevation unless otherwise stated.
Positions of feet
All (except 1st) with the working foot placed on the toe and with the supporting foot flat.
Placing on the toe
When in contact with the ground, without pressure, in a closed position with the foot vertical (it’s then pointed or placed on the toe).
Line of direction
-An imaginary line passing between the dancers heels when standing in 1st position.
- Angles of basic foot positions are measured from this line.
1st position
- Heels are together.
- Weight of the body equally distributed on both feet (turned out 90 degrees).
- Flat or balls of feet.
2nd position
- The working foot is extended directly to the side (90 degrees).
- Toe and heel of the working foot being in line with the heel of the supporting foot.
- Toe, half point, ball, heel or flat.
3rd position
- Toe, half point, ball or heel.
- The working foot touches the hollow of the supporting foot.
- When placed on toe, half point or heel it’s turned out 90 degrees.
- If weight is equally distributed on both feet, they’re turned out 45 degrees.
4th position
- The working leg is extended to the front with both heels in line with the line of direction.
- Toe or half point, is turned out 45 degrees.
5th position
- Working foot is in contact with the big toe joint of the supporting foot.
- Toe, half point, ball or heel.
- Turn out 90 degrees.
- When weight is equally distributed, turn out is 45 degrees.
3rd aerial position
- Knee of working leg pressed well back, outside edge of working foot in contact with supporting leg.
- Heights:
“Normal”- level with the heel slightly below the knee-cap.
“Low”- toe in line with ankle.
“Very low”- foot slightly off the ground above 3rd position.
3rd rear aerial position
-Working foot placed behind supporting leg at same height as 3rd aerial normal.
- Knee is held well back, no part of working foot is visible from the front.
Grouping of fingers
All positions (except 1st), fingers are lightly grouped, thumb in contact with first joint of the middle finger.
1st position of the arms
Both hands rest on the hips with backs of the hands to the front, the knuckles facing the body with the wrists straight, elbows pointing to the side.
2nd position of the arms
- One arm placed as in 1st, other is raised at the side, with the arm and wrist slightly curved.
- The hand above and forward from the head.
- Palms turned inwards.
- Arm is always raised on the side opposite of the working leg, except in a propelled pivot turn.
3rd position of the arms
Both arms raised as for 2nd, palms facing inward.
4th position of the arms
As for 3rd, but arms are closer and higher with the hands almost touching.
5th position of the arms
Arms are gently curved down in front of the body, hands quite close together with fingers almost touching the skirt.
Correct stance
- Body should be held in a natural manner without stiffness, strain or exaggeration.
- Dancer must develop core strength and control, without losing flow and grace of movements.
- Supporting leg should be turned out 45 degrees.
- Working leg should be turned out not less than 45 degrees, in many cases 90 degrees.
- Turn out should start at hips.
Hop
A movement of elevation begun on the ball of one foot and finished by landing on the ball of the same foot.
Spring
As for hop, but finished by landing on the ball of the other foot.
Round-the-leg
- Working foot is passed from 3rd rear aerial position to 3rd aerial position or vice-versa.
- Working foot must be kept as close as possible to the supporting leg with the knee held well back.
Shedding
Hop, Spring/disassemble pointing the working foot simultaneously in 2nd (count 1). Hop, take working foot to 3rd rear aerial (count 2). Hop, execute a round-the-leg movement to 3rd aerial position (count 3). Hop, execute a round-the-leg movement to 3rd rear aerial position (count 4).
Spring points
Spring, and point the working foot in an accepted open position, both feet touching the ground simultaneously.
Toe and heel
Hop or spring, simultaneously on landing point the working foot in a specified position (2nd, 3rd, 4th-opposite-5th, or 5th. 90 degree turn out), then hop, simultaneously on landing, place heel of the working foot in same position.
Counts: 1, 2
Bow
- Stand in 1st, bow by inclining the body forward slowly and return to original position.
- Take arms to first on the first count following the bow.
- Must not be exaggerated.
Spaces in swords
c 3c 3 3b b
4c C|B 2b
4 —— 2
4d D|A 2a
d 1d 1 1a a
Intro for Highland Fling
Bars 1 & 2: Stand in 1st (or arms by side)
Bars 3 & 4: 6 count bow
may rise on balls of feet, taking arms to 1st if not already so placed (count 7), pause (count 8).
Can you bow with your hands by your sides at the end of a dance?
No.
