Positions of the arms

Question 1

Grouping of Fingers

Answer 1

In all positions of the arms except first, the fingers are lightly grouped with the thumb in contact ith the first joint of the middle finger.

Question 2

First Position

Answer 2

Both hands rest on the hips with the backs of the hands facing the front, the knuckles facing the body, the rests kept straight and the elbows pointed directly to the side.

Question 3

Second Position

Answer 3

One arm is placed as in 1st position , the other us raised at the side, with the arm and wrist slightly curves, the hand slightly above and forward of the headline, the palm facing inwards. In this position, the raised arm is always on the opposite side of the working leg, except in a propelled pivot turn.

Question 4

Third Position

Answer 4

Both arms are raised at the sides, with the arms and wrists slightly curved, the hands above and forwards of the headline and the hands facing inwards towards each other.

Question 5

Fourth Position

Answer 5

A closer and higher form of 3rd position with the hands almost touching.

Question 6

Fifth Position

Answer 6

The arms are gently curved down in front of the body with the hands quite close together and the little fingers almost touching the apron of the kilt.

Question 7

Note

Answer 7

When an arm is raised or lowered, there should be a minimum displacement of the elbow and no part of the arm or hand should come in front of the dancers face. Exceptions are in the 4th bar of the introduction to the Seann Triubhas, where the hands come up in front of the body from 5th position, and also in the 1st and 2nd Seann Triubhas steps where the arms are circled from 1st or 5th position.