The jig is considered one of the most ancient Irish dances, preserved to this day in this national culture, although it is currently performed mainly in staged form

This expressive Irish dance has several versions. At what they are divided according to rather unusual classifications - depending on the speed that the dancers gain, and depending on the types of shoes used.

History of occurrence

It is believed that the name of the dance was given by the melody of the same name, which as early as the 12th century was played on the violin during public fairs.

The jig dance was originally a pair dance. However, picked up by the sailors, the jig turned into an energetic, fast and comical solo dance.

English colonization involved the eradication of Irish culture, so in the 17th century there was a ban on national music and dancing. For more than a century and a half, folk dances were taught secretly under the guidance of wandering teachers.

The emergence of the first dance schools in the 18th century is connected with the dance masters, who pass on their skills to everyone who wishes. The activities of the Gaelic League to standardize and formalize Irish dance in the 20th century increased the demands for learning and performance.

Currently, jig, among other solo dances, exists both as a competitive form and as a dance show. The dynamism, expressiveness of the movements of the jig, the emotionality of the performance amaze the imagination and fascinate the audience.

Thanks to the spectacle Irish dances became popular in many countries of the world, they are studied, as well as in Ireland, in specially organized dance schools.

What is a jig?

The term "jig" denotes both the dance itself and the music to which it is performed. Different types of music correspond to specific types of jigs. However, the musical size of all types of jig, except for the slip jig, is 6/8, and the latter is performed to music with a time signature of 9/8.

For each type of jig there are requirements in what type of shoes it must be performed - in hard or soft. Hard shoes are shoes, usually black, with a special heel on the toe, a small heel and an additional fastening in the form of a strap. Soft shoes for women are soft leather slippers with long laces without a heel, somewhat similar to ballet flats, for men - boots with soft soles and a small heel.

Types of jigs and their features

Depending on the musical size and nature of the dance, several types of jigs are distinguished:

  • simple, soft or single - single jig (single jig)
  • double - double jig (double jig)
  • triple - treble jig (treble jig)
  • slip jig (slip jig)

According to the types of shoes worn during the dance, we can distinguish:

  • light jig
  • heavy jig

single jig

One of the most common and simplest types of jigs. It is performed more often by beginner dancers and usually in soft shoes, i.e. performed without percussive movements and sounds.

Double jig

Performed in both soft and hard shoes. By the nature of the movements, this is a predominantly male dance with the spirit of a warrior inherent in it. The main drawing in the choreography is the line. It is danced at a faster pace than the single jig, with a beat.

treble jig

By the nature of execution, it is slower than other types. Performed exclusively in hard shoes. The dance contains characteristic jumps, pirouettes and swings. The traditional treble jig is danced at 92 beats per minute, while the unconventional treble jig is danced at a slower pace of 73 beats per minute, which requires special skill.

Slip jig

It currently exists exclusively as a female dance. Although in the middle of the 20th century it was performed both by men and in pairs. It differs from other types of jig in musical size and performance in soft shoes. Due to the special manner of performing the slip jig is called the "Irish ballet". This is due to specific movements in the form of pirouettes, swings and jumps. For example, the “deer jump” is performed with a hang, as if lifting the dancer above the stage. This dance is technical because of the intricately organized groups of movements.

History of the jig

Originally, the jig was a pair dance; however, among sailors it spread as a solo, very fast dance of a comic nature. William Shakespeare in his plays emphasized the buffoonish nature of the jig. Soon the jig made its way into professional music as well. Pieces under this name are found in English virginal and lute collections of the 16th century. In the 17th century, the jig entered the dance life of many countries of Western Europe, although in different countries its development was different.

At the turn of the 17th-18th centuries, the Italian jig acquired pan-European significance. It was she who entered as the final part in the pre-classical sonatas and suites of Arcangelo Corelli, Antonio Vivaldi, JF Rameau. The finale of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, without the designation of a jig, also reveals the inherent character of this dance.

Squeezed out of European salon life by new dances (minuet, gavotte and others), the jig gradually loses its significance in professional music throughout the 18th century. In the future, the jig was mainly used by the people, successfully preserved to this day in Ireland and Scotland. In the twentieth century, some composers again turn to the jig as a musical genre. Among them are Claude Debussy ("Images", 1912), I. F. Stravinsky ("Concert Duet", 1932; septet, 1952-53), Max Reger (op. 36, 42, 131c), Arnold Schoenberg (op. 25 and 29).

Jig in Irish dancing

The jig is one of the most popular Irish dance tunes. Presented in several versions. Depending on the speed of the melody in which the dance is performed, single jig, double jig and treble jig are distinguished. Depending on the shoes in which the dance is performed, light and heavy jig are distinguished. The slip jig, performed to a special 9/8 rhythm and exclusively in soft shoes, stands apart from the rest.

single jig

Double jig

treble jig

Slip-jiga is currently performed exclusively by women in competitions, but until about 1950, competitions were held for this dance among both men and pairs. Since the 1980s, there have been discussions about the return of men to competitions in this dance. The slip jig, danced on 9/8, is the most graceful and graceful dance performed in soft shoes and highlighted in the Riverdance show.

A slip jig is sometimes called a slide jig or a hop jig. But sometimes a slide jig is also called a single jig.

see also

Notes

Initially, a small violin was called a jig, on which the dancers were accompanied. Back in the 12th century, the jig was a pair dance, but among sailors it became solo dance and with comic overtones. For example, William Shakespeare in his plays emphasized the comical nature of the jig.

The jig has migrated to melodies of Irish origin. Today the jig is found in various types Irish dances. Jig is presented in various versions.

1. Single jig

One of the simplest melodies that is danced in 6/8 or 12/8 time. This type of jig is very popular in Europe, but they do not like to perform it in the USA. Such a jig is performed by beginners in dancing and those who continue to learn, dance it in soft shoes.

2. Double jig

It is performed both in soft and hard shoes, always with the beating of the rhythm. If performed in hard shoes, then in time 6/8 and then it is called a heavy jig.

3. Treble jig

It is performed in hard boots. This is the slowest type of jig. It is characterized by pirouettes, swings and jumps. Beginners dance the treble jig at 92 beats per minute, but the pros dance at 73 beats.

4. Sliding Jig

It is also called slip jig. Performed in 9/8 bars. Because of the slower phrases, the melody is also slower. This kind of dance is performed on very high toes and therefore it is called Irish ballet. This jig is often performed by women. She is a very graceful and airy dance.

We all remember the beautiful jig-jump dance of the Hatter from the movie "Through the Looking-Glass" by Johnny Depp. In fact, the jig is the national dance of the British and Irish, the movements of which are quite complex and require intensive and constant training. Jiga is very incendiary, it charges with its mood and manner of performance.


Jiga is an old British dance. Its origin is Celtic. The speed of the jig is fast. The jig is one of the main melodies used in Scottish and Irish dances.




The jig got its name from musical instrument, namely, the small size of the violin. Melodies for dancers were played on such a violin in the 12th century. At first, the jig was a pair dance, but gradually it began to spread as a solo, and later as a solo comic dance. At the beginning of the 18th century, the Italian jig was widely developed. In the 18th century, the jig gave way to the minuet, gavotte and other increasingly popular European dances and gained a foothold among the people.

Jig in Irish dancing

The jig subsequently became the basis for many Irish dances, and its melody, as a rule, sounds in three versions. Depending on the speed that the dance gained, the jig was divided into single jig, double jig and treble jig.

single jig

Single jig is one of the simplest varieties of this dance. This type is most widespread in Europe. In modern times, jig training begins with a single jig, since this type is easier to learn.

Double jig

The double jig is played at a faster pace. When dancing a double jig, the dancers put on soft shoes and during the dance they beat the rhythm in the manner of Irish tap dancing.

treble jig

The treble jig is danced at a slower pace. The dancers wear hard shoes. The main dance elements are all kinds of pirouettes, jumps, swings. Many dance moves performed by alternating single jig, double jig and treble jig, thereby changing the pace of the dance.

At the present stage, jig is popular in narrow circles. In some European countries and the United States, specialized schools are being created to teach this historical dance.

Jig on the bar and on the tables
Only folk dance can be so expressive and expressive. Ireland is associated all over the world with red-haired beauties, St. Patrick's Day, bright green quatrefoil and, of course, tart ale.
Local pubs have always been a place of fun and mischief, which is impossible to imagine without playing a jig. Moreover, any, even the most insignificant, piece of free space, including a table and a bar counter, is suitable for this.

This ancient dance owes its name to the name of the traditional Irish violin, which was entertained by fair people in the Middle Ages (the first written records date back to the 11th century). Later, the jig began to be performed during fesh (feis - a peasant party with music and dancing).
According to one version, the word is of French origin - gigue, or "gigue", according to another - Italian (read as "giga"). Also, the word "jiga" refers to the music that accompanies the dance. It was she, fast, bright, spectacular, that made people start dancing.

At first, the jig was performed in pairs, however, sailors, pub regulars, picked up a colorful dance and turned it into a solo one. In Shakespeare's time, the jig was played in a clownish key at the end theatrical performance. And then…
Then came the eradication of Irish culture. With the beginning of the colonization of Ireland by England national dances and music became banned. From the 17th century to the middle of the 19th century, teaching the traditional arts was severely punished.
The culture was preserved thanks to the efforts of itinerant teachers, who became the forerunners of dance education. Masters moved from one village to another, stopping to stay in one of the peasant houses. The classes were massive: students of different ages came to them and mastered the original Irish dance skills. It was thanks to wandering dancers that the forms of jigs known to us today developed.

At the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th century, the first "stationary" dance schools began to appear illegally. At the same time, the first competitions arose: teachers competed with each other, demonstrating skills polished over the years. Soon, the students also showed interest in dance tournaments, and then the “pie” competitions arose. This culinary creation was in the center of the dance floor on a special table. It got to the winner.

At the end of the 19th century, the Gaelic League took shape, the main task of which was the standardization and formalization of Irish dances, music, and literature. The members of the league carefully studied the numerous varieties of jigs, reels, and other dances, and zealously followed the observance of certain canons in them.

In 1930, a special committee was organized - the Irish Dance Commission, or An coimisiun le rinci Gaelacha. Its competence is the regulation of all issues related to the preservation, development and dissemination of Irish dances, as well as the organization of competitions.

Such a different jig!
Common to all varieties of jigs is a high speed of movement of the legs and a completely static upper body. Shoes for performance can be soft (for women - leather ballet flats with laces, for men - shoes with small heels and soft soles) or hard (leather shoes with a heel on the toe, an additional fastening strap and a small heel).

Light (light) jig is the fastest of the types of this dance. It is performed in 6/8 time with a rhythmic pattern of three levels of difficulty - beginner, primer and intermediate. Dancing in soft shoes. Steps (steps) are very fast and can vary greatly from school to school.

The single jig, or hop jig, is 12/8. For it, as well as for a light jig, soft shoes are required. This is one of the simplest forms of Irish dance and is most widespread in Europe. It is with single jigs that they begin training in dance schools.

Slip (sliding) jig is performed in time signature 9/8 with emphasis on the first beat. Sometimes this variety is called Irish ballet because of the performance on high "half-toes" of legs shod in soft shoes. Graceful movements, as it were, lift the dancer above the platform, giving the effect of light soaring. However, the lightness is only visible: slip jig is one of the most difficult types of Irish dance.

Double jig - male dance. In every movement - the spirit of a warrior, the nature of the dance - assertive, warlike, the choreography pattern is linear, the accents are in the beating of the rhythm. It can be performed in both soft shoes and hard shoes. Has a faster beat than the single jig.

The treble jig is 6/8 in size with a strong beat on the count of three. Unlike other varieties, this one is performed in hard shoes. A slow pace, a lot of pirouettes, swings, jumps are the main features of the treble jig. The traditional performance is 92 beats per minute (usually chosen by beginners). Experienced and skilled dancers prefer a slow triple jig with 73 beats per minute.
By the way, at almost all festivals of Irish culture, it is the treble jig that is performed, which is complex both in terms of rhythmic pattern and performance technique.

The hornpipe, as well as the treble jig, is performed in hard shoes and has a complex rhythmic syncopated pattern. Distinctive feature- size 4/4.
A set is a dance performed to music of a certain size (for example, a hornpipe or a treble jig). The traditional set has different levels difficulties.

Irish jig has long gone beyond the alma mater. Today it is danced in Europe, the USA and Russia. They say that to see yourself dancing a jig in a dream is a harbinger of fun and many pleasures. Because this dynamic, cheerful and beautiful dance gives truly vivid emotions.