grade 6 theory

Question 1

propelled pivot turn

Answer 1

-danced during a reel by two dancers, facing opposite directions, with the shoulders parallel.
-the inner arm of each dance in extended diagonally forward and LINKED with their partner and the outer arm in 2nd position and the head turned slightly towards the partner
-“inner arm linked”: this means, the inner forearms are in contact with each other, with the palm of the hand lightly supporting the underside of the partners arm and just above the elbow.
-the thumb must not encircle or grip the partners upper arm
-when danced to the right, the movement is begun by the partners moving forwards with a slight spring on the RF and linking their right arms (1). they now place the LF on the 1/2 point in 2nd, to allow slight travel of the RF (& 2) the turn is now continued by repeating this as often as required so that while the RF takes the main weight, the LF acts as the “propelling force” to make the turn happen. both knees are slightly relaxed.
when danced to the left, the movement begins by moving forward on the LF and linking left arms. The LF then becomes the main supporting foot and the RF is the “propelling force”
counting: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Question 2

high cut in front

Answer 2

• as for a high cut but the raised foot is taken through 4th intermediate aerial position to 3rd aerial position and the re-extension is towards 4th intermediate aerial position.
• high cuts in front are not performed in series and in some cases (leap and high cut or double high cutting) the extensions are toward 2nd aerial.
• counting varies depending the step

Question 3

progressive strathspey movement

Answer 3

• begin with the RF in third aerial, step with that foot, along the line of travel, to 4th intermediate position (1)
• close the ball of the LF to 5th rear, extending the RF to 4th intermediate aerial (2)
• spring onto the RF along the line of travel bringing the LF to 3rd rear aerial (3).
• hop on the RF with slight forward travel, executing on round-the-leg movement with the LF to 3rd aerial (4).
• on the first two counts, the body is at an angle of 45 degrees to the line of travel with the right shoulder leading, on the 3rd count, the body faces along the line of travel, and on the 4th count, the body is at an angle of 45 degrees to the line of travel with the left shoulder leading
• this movement is also done with the other foot.
• the head is always along the line of travel
• counting: 1 2 3 4

Question 4

progressive highland reel movement

Answer 4

• hop on the LF taking the RF to 3rd aerial, then step with the RF along the line of travel to 4th intermediate (&1)
• close the ball of the LF to 3rd or 5th rear position, then step with the RF along the line of travel. (& 2)
• this movement is also done on the other foot.
• the body positions are the same as the progressive strathspey movement, beginning to change the shoulder lead on the step prior to the hop.
  counting: &1 & 2 &3 & 4

Question 5

spring point turn-bar 4-2nd step sword dance

Answer 5

• dance four spring points over the second sword
• RF in A, LF in 4th position in B (1)
• make a 1/2 turn to the right, LF in B, RF in 4th position in A (2)
• make a 1/8turn to the right, RF in B, LF in 4th intermediate in A (3)
• make a 1/8 turn to the right LF in A, RF in 2nd position in B (4)
• arms in 1st

Question 6

the raising and lowering of arms

Answer 6

• when an arm is raised or lowered, there should be minimal movement of the elbow and no part of thhe arm of hand should come in front of the dancers face.
• the exception to this is bar 4 on the intro of S.T where the arms come in front of the face from 5th to 4th position AND in 1st and 2nd steps of S>T when arms are circled from 1st or 5th positions