Irish Dance

Although you may have heard the idiom "I could just dance a jig!", learning to dance a jig takes a lot of talent and practice. Irish dance is famous for its jigs, among other dances, and is a show of grace and talent. With some basic lessons, anyone can learn how to perform an Irish dance.

Steps

Getting Ready

1. Find a dance instructor. Irish dance is an incredibly complicated style unique unto its own in the dancing world. Because of its complexities, it is nearly impossible to teach it to yourself. You can begin to learn basic footwork on your own, but to become a successful Irish dancer it is imperative that you find your own dance instructor.
   • Most dance studios won’t offer Irish dance as a style, because it is so different from most other popular styles of dance. Try looking for Irish dance studios in your area that specialize only in this unique form. You can google it for nearby dance schools.
   • There are many private dance instructors/choreographers who can give private Irish dance lessons, so try looking for one in your area. Though it will offer a much different experience to joining a dance school.
2. Get the right shoes. As with most types of dance, certain shoes must be worn in order to perform a traditional Irish dance. Unfortunately, Irish dance shoes are not available in most dance or shoe stores, they are usually bought pre-used from your teacher or as a competition/feis, or even custom ordered online. Only do this once you have started dance lessons and are 100% sure that you want to continue.
   • Ghillies/Soft shoes are a type of soft-soled shoes used for dancing jigs and reels. They are similar to ballet slippers in appearance, but have more structure and only lace to the ankle.
   • Hardshoes are a special type of shoe with a heavy heel attached to the bottom to make sound during a dance. These are similar to tap shoes, but instead of a metal heel hardshoes are made with a wood or fiberglass heel.
   • If you are interested in eventually entering competitions with your Irish dance, it is good to have a special pair of performance shoes which you keep solely for the times you are in competition. This way, they won’t get scuffed and will always look neat and clean.
3. Find your perfect outfit. Only do this once you have started competing. Your dance school should have a school dress/vest but before that you will probably compete in a beginners outfit (white blouse, and a skirt that's your school colors knee-length skirt for girls and white button down shirt, and blue/black pants for boys). Irish dance emphasizes having traditional dance costumes during performances. Although to start you may not want to invest in some of the pricier outfits, eventually it will become necessary to purchase a classic dance costume.
   • Solo costumes are the most elaborate and are incredibly expensive. You won’t need to buy one of these fancy costumes at the beginning of your dance career, but when you begin to perform in shows having your own solo costume may be necessary.
   • Beginner, novice, and prizewinner dancers often dance in groups, so you will most likely have to buy a matching dance costume for this purpose.
   • Irish dancers put a lot of time and effort into their hair as a part of their costume. Typically, long hair is worn in incredibly tight ringlets. If you aren’t able or willing to achieve this style with your hair, you can purchase a wig to be worn for competitions.

Starting to Dance

1. Do the hurdlers stretch. To perform this, sit on the floor with one leg extended in front of you, and the other one drawn up with the knee bend and your foot flat on the floor. Reach forward with both your arms to touch the toes (or reach past the toes) on your extended foot. Keep your leg straight with no bend in the knee, and hold it for 5-10 seconds. Repeat this several times on both legs.
2. Do a plank. This is performed similar to a push-up and builds abdominal strength and endurance. Lay on your stomach, and then lift yourself up using your toes and your forearms, keeping your entire body straight as a board. Hold this for at least 15 seconds to start, and gradually add on time.
3. Stretch your ankles. You can do this a multitude of ways, but the easiest is to stand and lift one foot off the ground at a time, rolling your ankle in small circles in each direction.
4. Keep good posture. Pull your shoulders back and down. Make you neck long, and keep your chin parallel to the floor. You must only squeeze the inner-upper parts of your arms so they stay directly by your side, with your hands in the shape of fists. Your legs should be straight with locked knees. You should always be on your toes, and even if a leg in the air, all toes on both feet should be points. Also, your feet must be pointed outwards. It is a hard concept to grasp, but after a while of dancing it will be second nature to dance with your feet turned outwards. Try walking around home, school, work, etc, with your feet turned out for a half hour everyday. It will train your feet, telling them that they need to stick out. Another way to teach your feet to turn out is to go ice skating. When you skate, your feet have to be turned out to accelerate. Pay close attention to your feet next time you go ice skating

Learning a Jig

1. Take the first step. Start the jig by sticking your left foot out in front of you and then stepping on it, while simultaneously bringing your right foot directly behind it into a closed position. Your weight should shift from your front (left) foot to your rear (right) foot.
2. Hop on your right foot. At the same time, bring your left toe to meet your right knee.
3. Hold your left knee out in front of you. Do this while your left toes are held next to your right knee, and swing it as you hop again.
4. Place your left foot back on the ground. As you complete this hop, take three more steps backwards beginning with your right foot. You will then be returned to the starting position.

Learning a Reel

1. Take the first step with your left foot. Start the reel by sticking your left foot out in front of you and then stepping on it, while simultaneously bringing your right foot directly behind it into a closed position. Your weight should shift from your front (left) foot to your rear (right) foot.
2. Bend your right knee as you take a small hop. You should land on your right foot. Then, point your right foot in front of you and take seven quick steps forward. Then, lift your right foot and spring forward onto it.
3. Raise your right foot up to your right knee. Take a small hop, landing on your left foot.
4. Point your left foot in front of you. Take seven quick steps forward, and lift your left foot and spring forward onto it.
5. Step onto the ball of your left foot. This should leave your right foot behind it. Give three taps, and then repeat on the opposite foot.

Tips

• Your feet play a major role in Irish dance. Cross your legs over each other so that if you were to look in a mirror you could only see one knee. Stay as high up on your toes as you possibly can.
• Walk around your house on your toes and point your toes when you are watching TV or playing games. This will help you get higher up on your toes when you are dancing in actual competition.
• An Irish dancer must always turn their feet out. You can do this by positioning your feet so your toes are pointing out from you at 10 and 2 o'clock.
• Having a separate set of shoes for feiseanna is completely unnecessary. Judges will not be able to see small scuffs on your shoes from where they will sit. However, if want your shoes to look nice, you can polish them and wear nice buckles on the front.
• When jumping keep your posture up and don't slouch. You can loose points in competitions and you need to learn to keep up.
• Stay on Demi-Pointe never come down to flat foot unless you are bowing because the dance is finished.
• If you're having trouble with keeping your shoulders down and back, try taking a clothes hanger, putting it behind your back, and holding on to the far ends of the horizontal wire with both hands. Your shoulders will straighten out.

Related Articles

• Have Correct Irish Dance Form
• Dance an Irish Jig
• Dance the Intermediate Irish Dance Reel
• Find an Irish Dance Teacher
• Start Irish Step Dancing
• Practice Irish Dancing
• Have a Successful Feis
• Irish Step Dance

Sources and Citations

See also

• Dance an Irish Jig

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