How does one dance a jig?

Question

I play some tin whistle and like to play jigs and I was wondering what are the essential elements to dancing a jig....

Answer 1

Well, I took Irish Step Dancing class for a short amount of time and I can give you some tidbits.

First of all, jigs are usually counted like "one two three four five six seven, one two three, one two three."  This means the meter changes from 7/8 time to 3/8 quickly.  The pattern, obviously, is 7/8, 3/8, 3/8, 7/8, 3/8, 3/8, and so forth.

The arms are always straight at the sides.  They never move, traditionally.  The hands are as follows: the thumb is placed across the palm and the other fingers wrapped over it, in a sort of fist.  The hands never move from the sides.  Remember to always keep the shoulders back and the chest out in an Irish jig.

A jig starts out with a basic pattern of steps that are repeated and added on to for interest.

Start out with your feet turned out and your right foot in front.  Point the right foot and bend the right knee so that the toes are touching the ground.  Now, hop for the first seven counts to the right hand side, alternating feet.

For the next three counts, hop and bring the leg up to the front on one, bring the leg into possé (if you don't know what that is, look on http://www.abt.org/education/dictionary/... ) on two.  Now bring the leg to the back on three.  Repeat that on the left leg.  You should end up with your right leg in front again.

Sometimes, the choreographer will add turns or special run-offs to that structural pattern, but that's the core of it.  Good luck and hope this helped.  Remember, you can always contact me with further questions.♥

Answer 2

How to Dance an Irish Jig.  Try this link.

http://www.wikihow.com/Dance-an-Irish-Ji...