Ireland is an unusual and mysterious country, the unique charm of which is given by evergreen hills, ancient castles, and, of course, amazing dances. National dances are performed only to Irish music and look very beautiful and spectacular, thanks to the speed of movement and rhythm. Currently, this dance direction is extremely popular in many countries. There are many schools and studios that teach jig, reel or hornpipe, but you can learn how to dance Irish dances on your own. Depending on the technique of execution and the number of participants, the following varieties are distinguished:

  1. Solo, represents rhythmic and clear movements of the legs, while the body and arms are motionless, one person is dancing.
  2. Group, performed by a group of up to 16 people, and include elements of solo dances with rebuilding in a circle, line or column and the inclusion of hands.
  3. Folk or social, characterized by simple movements reminiscent of a square dance, dancing in pairs.

For those who decide to learn how to dance Irish dances on their own, video lessons for beginners will be an excellent tool. It is better to start with a solo direction, which includes: jig, reel, hornpipe and solo sets.

Jig

Performed to the music of the violin. Fun and cheerful jig, consists of traditional jumps and special steps. The jumps are quite high, which makes a lasting impression, but at the initial stage, you should not jump high. First you need to learn how to properly hold the body and press your hands, and most importantly, land softly. Dynamic and spectacular Irish dances can be a serious challenge for beginners.

Ryl

It is believed that Reel is of Scottish origin, but has undergone strong changes, with the inclusion of true Irish elements. Great for beginners and is usually the starting point for learning how to dance Irish dance properly. May be fast or slow.

Reels performed at a fast pace have a set simple movements, while slow, are characterized by a more complex set of figures, including high jumps. The technique of execution, depending on the type of footwear, can be soft or hard.

Hornpipe

Includes jumps and tap dance elements, touching the floor alternately with the heel and toe, creates the effect of a drum roll. Hands are usually located on the belt or extended at the seams, and swings are made with a leg bent at the knee. It is performed only in hard shoes and is the most difficult to master. Somewhat similar to the reel, the hornpipe is notable for its particular dotted rhythm and emphasis on the first count. It can also be slow and fast.

Set solo dances

Distinctive feature- a special set melody, which can be traditional or author's, and differs in its structure from ordinary Irish music. Under such melodies, unique dance compositions are developed, intended for participation in competitions, which will include complex steps and non-traditional elements. From generation to generation in Ireland, the music and steps of solo sets created in the distant past and called traditional are transmitted.

Irish dancing is not only an amazing charge of positive and energy, but also a great way to increase stamina and improve physical form. Having mastered the basic elements, you can continue to use lessons for beginners to learn Irish dances, or contact a special studio. Speed, clarity and rhythm of movements will come with regular practice.

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 production. And then…
Then came the eradication of Irish culture. With the beginning of the colonization of Ireland by England, national dances and music became prohibited. 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. A distinctive feature is the 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.

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 a 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. Actually jig is national dance British and Irish, whose movements 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.

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 having 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 others.

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 has been discussion about the return of men to competition in this dance. 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