Simple Jigs

These steps were taught to me by Mike Whelan in St. Paul way back in the 1990s. Where he got them from, I do not know.

Lead Around
Threes - 8 times starting with Right

Side Step
Seven and Rise & Grind to the Right

Repeat to the Left

Step One - Skips
Sink & Grind
Hop Step Forward
Hop Step Forward
Hop & 4 Steps in place
Hop Step Backward
Hop Step Backward
Hop & 4 Steps in place
Rise & Grind

Repeat on the Left

Step Two - Heels
Sink & Grind with Right Foot
Jump onto Right Foot
Put out Left Heel
Turn out Left Foot
Hop on Right Foot
Step in place 4 times (L R L R) with Left Foot in back
Jump onto Left Foot
Put out Right Heel
Turn out Right Foot
Hop on Left Foot
Step in place 4 times (R L R L) with Right Foot in back
Rise & Grind with Right Foot

Repeat on the Left Foot

Step Three - Bell
Sink & Grind with Right Foot
Step out on the Right
Step together with Left Foot in back
Step out on the Right
Step together with Left Foot in back
Hop on Left
Step in place 4 times (R L R L) with Right foot in back
Step Right, Step Left letting legs swing like a bell
Step out on the Right
Step together with Left Foot in back
Step out on the Right
Step together with Left Foot in back
Rise & Grind with the Right Foot

Repeat on the Left Foot

Irish Reels Fall 2008

Okay, I said I'd post some video. So here goes. Also, here's my disclaimer: This is not good dancing. It is just to jog your memory.

The Steps:



The Routine:



The Dance goes like this:

LEAD AROUND
Threes in a circle 8x

SIDE STEP
("1-2-3-4-5-6-7. Hop-Heel-Step, Hop-1-2-3")
Sevens to the Right
Hop on the Left
Step onto the Right Heel
Step onto the Left Foot in back
Hop and Land on the Left
Step Right Foot in back
Step Left Foot in front
Step Right Foot in back

Repeat Side Step on opposite foot

STEP 1
Hop and Land on Left Foot 2x (Right foot dangles next to Left knee)
Jump onto Right Foot
Step onto Left foot in front
Step onto Right foot in back
Hop and Land on Right Foot 2 x
Jump onto Left Foot
Step onto Right foot in front
Step onto Left foot in back

Step on Right Foot in front
Step on Left Foot in back with foot twisted in
Step on Right Foot in back with feet turned out
Step on Left Foot in front
Step on Right Foot in back twisted in
Step on Left in back turned out

Repeat Step 1 on opposite foot

STEP 2
Hop and Land on Left foot (right foot dangles by Left knee)
Step Right foot front
Step Left foot in back
Hop and Land on Left foot again
Step Right foot front
Step Left foot in back
Sevens while turning a complete circle clockwise (hop-r-l-r-l-r-l)

Step on Right and point Left Toe in front
Step on Left and point Right Toe
Step on Right and point Left Toe
Hop and Land on Right
Step on Left Foot in back
Step 2x in place (step on Right in front, Left in back)
Step on Right and point Left Toe
Step on Left and point Right Toe
Hop and Land on Left
Step Right Foot in back

Repeat Step 2 on opposite foot

Repeat Lead Around
Take a bow

Sean-nos Notes

Last weekend we were at Irish Fest in Milwaukee. Brian Ó Cuinneagáin shared some old style steps.

Shuffle = Strike the heel, drop the toe
Step = Step putting all weight on that foot
Stamp = Strike the floor with whole foot, do not transfer weight

Step 1
Shuffle (R)
Shuffle (L)
Step (R)
Stamp (L)

Shuffle (L)
Shuffle (R)
Step (L)
Stamp (R)

Step 2
Tap Toe (R)
Tap Toe (R)
Drop Heel (L)
Drop Heel (L)
Shuffle Shuffle Step
Shuffle Shuffle Step

Step 3
Step out (R)
Drag together (L)
Shuffle Shuffle Step
Shuffle Shuffle Step

Step 4
Shuffle (R)
Step (L)
Shuffle (R)
Step (L)
Shuffle (R)
Step (L)
Step (R)
Shuffle Shuffle Step
Shuffle Shuffle Step

Step 5
Heel Out
Toe to Back
Shuffle Shuffle Step
Shuffle Shuffle Step

Hornpipe (Very) Basics

Practice these little movements until they are crisp and clear. All of this should be done with the ball of your foot striking the floor for the best/loudest sound.

Tip-Down (aka Brush-Step or Flap in tap dancing)
Weight is on Left Foot
Brush the Right Foot forward making 1 sound as the ball of the foot strikes the floor
Step or jump onto the Right Foot making 1 sound as you land on the Right Foot
Weight is not on the Right Foot
Brush the Left Foot forward
Step or jump onto Left Foot

repeat alternating feet ad nauseum.

Treble (aka Batter, Rally or Shuffle in tap dancing)
Weight is on the Left Foot
Brush the Right Foot forward making 1 sound
Brush the Right Foot backward making 1 sound

This step doesn't alternate - you need to step or something in order to switch feet.


NOW THE GOOD STUFF

Step One

"Single Shuffle"
Tip Down with Right
Tip Down with Left
Treble with Right
Hop on Left
Step on Right close behind the Left

Tip Down with Left
Tip Down with Right
Treble with Left
Hop on Right
Step on Left close behind the Right

Tip Down with Right
Tip Down with Left
Treble with Right
Hop on Left
Step on Right close behind the Left

"Over-2-3's"
Leap onto Left
Step on Right in front
Step on Left in back

Leap onto Right
Step on Left in front
Step on Right in back

Leap onto Left
Step on Right in front
Step on Left in back

"Treble Hop Back"
Treble with Right Foot
Hop on Left Foot
Step on Right Foot close behind the Left

"Single Shuffles"
Tip Down with Left
Tip Down with Right
Treble with Left
Hop on Right
Step on Left close behind the Right

Tip Down with Right
Tip Down with Left
Treble with Right
Hop on Left
Step on Right close behind the Left

"Double Shuffle"
Step on Left Foot
Treble with Right Foot (bringing it up by knee in a cut)
Hop on Left Foot
Treble with Right Foot
Hop on Left Foot
Step Right Foot close behind the Left

Repeat all on the other foot:

Single Shuffle pattern 3x (L, R, L)
Over 2-3's 3x (R, L, R)
Treble Hop Back with Left Foot
Single Shuffle 2x (R, L)
Double Shuffle with Left Foot (step on Right to start, treble with the Left)

Old Style Irish Reel Steps

Here are two simple old style steps I learned at a Patrick O'Dea* workshop a number of years ago.

Cork Sevens and Threes

These Sevens start by going to the Left. There are no jumps like in modern style; just step your foot to the back instead of jumping to get the correct foot in front.

Start with weight on Left Foot
Step Right Foot behind the Left, step out with the Left, behind with the Right, and so on to complete "Seven."

We do this 3 times, so:
Sevens to the Left (step R-L-R-L-R-L-R)
Sevens to the Right(step L-R-L-R-L-R-L)
Sevens to the Left (step R-L-R-L-R-L-R)

Follow with 2 Threes:
Step Left Foot to the back
Step Right Foot in front
Step Left Foot in back again

Step Right Foot to the back
Step Left Foot in front
Step Right Foot in back again

Repeat other side:
Sevens to the Right
Sevens to the Left
Sevens to the Right
Threes stepping R-L-R
Threes stepping L-R-L

Threes Up Front
Weight is on the Left Foot
Brush Right Foot Forward
Brush Right Foot Backward
Step on the Right
Step on the Left
Threes stepping R-L-R
Threes stepping L-R-L
Sevens to the Left
Threes stepping L-R-L
Threes stepping R-L-R

Repeat other side:
Weight is now on the Right Foot
Brush Left Foot Forward
Brush Left Foot Backward
Step on the Left
Step on the Right
Threes stepping L-R-L
Threes stepping R-L-R
Sevens to the Right
Threes stepping R-L-R
Threes stepping L-R-L

*Patrick O'Dea teaches set and old-style workshops around the world. If you want to see a fun little sean-nos, or old style, dance-off, check out this video. Patrick O'Dea is the 2nd to dance, in the lighter colored jeans:

Mick Mulkerrin vs Patrick O'Dea

Beginner Reel Routine

This it the reel routine taught to students of the UW Continuing Studies Irish Dance class in Summer 2008

Lead Around
(Counted and-a 1-2-3, and-a 2-2-3, and-a 3-2-3, and so on to and-a 8-2-3)

Do 8 Threes in a circle (see post below for how to do Threes)

Side Step
(Counted jump-2-3-4-5-6-7, hop-back-2-3-, hop-back-2-3)

Do Sevens to the Right (start with a jump straight up, landing right foot in front)

Hop on Left Foot
Step Right Foot behind the Left
Step on Left Foot in front
Step on Right Foot in back again

Hop on Right Foot
Step Left Foot behind
Step Right Foot in front
Step Left Foot behind again

Do Sevens to the Left (start with jump straight up, landing Left Foot in front)

Hop on Right Foot
Step Left Foot behind
Step Right Foot in front
Step Left Foot behind again

Hop on Left Foot
Step Right Foot behind
Step Left Foot in front
Step Right Foot behind again (DON'T put all your weight on RF this time)

Step 1
(Counted hop-hop-1-2-3, hop-hop-1-2-3, up-2-3-4-5-6-7, hop-hop-1-2-3, repeat)

Hop 2 times on Left Foot while holding Right Foot in front of Left Knee
Jump onto Right Foot
Step on Left Foot in front of Right
Step on Right Foot close behind Left

Hop 2 times on Right Foot while holding Left Foot in front of Right Knee
Jump onto Left Foot
Step onto Right Foot in front of Left
Step on Left Foot close behind Right

Do Sevens to the Right

Hop 2 times on Left Foot while holding Right Foot in front of Left Knee
Jump onto Right Foot
Step on Left Foot in front of Right
Step on Right Foot close behind Left

Repeat other side:
Hop 2 times on Right Foot while holding Left Foot in front of Right Knee
Jump onto Left Foot
Step onto Right Foot in front of Left
Step on Left Foot close behind Right

Hop 2 times on Left Foot while holding Right Foot in front of Left Knee
Jump onto Right Foot
Step on Left Foot in front of Right
Step on Right Foot close behind Left

Do Sevens to the Left

Hop 2 times on Right Foot while holding Left Foot in front of Right Knee
Jump onto Left Foot
Step onto Right Foot in front of Left
Step on Left Foot close behind Right

Step 2
(Counted up-2-3, up-2-3, up-2-3-4-5-6-7, & point & point & point-hop-back, jump, switch, turn & back)

Hop on Left Foot
Step on Right Foot to the Right
Step on Left Foot close behind the Right

Hop on Left Foot
Step on Right Foot to the Right
Step on Left Foot immediately behind the Right

Do Sevens to the Right

Jump onto Right Foot and point Left Toe to the front
Jump onto Left Foot and point Right Toe to the front
Jump onto Right Foot and point Left Toe to the front
Hop on Right Foot
Step Left Foot close behind the Right

Jump Straight up, land with Right Foot in front
Jump Straight up, land with Left Foot in front
Jump and turn 90 degrees Right, land on Left foot with Right Toe pointed
Jump and turn 90 degrees to face front, land on both feet Left foot in front

repeat other side
Hop on Right Foot
Step on Left Foot to the Left
Step on Right Foot close behind the Left

Hop on Right Foot
Step on Left Foot to the Left
Step on Right Foot immediately behind the Left

Do Sevens to the Left

Jump onto Left Foot and point Right Toe to the front
Jump onto Right Foot and point Left Toe to the front
Jump onto Left Foot and point Right Toe to the front
Hop on Left Foot
Step Right Foot close behind the Left

Jump Straight up, land with Left Foot in front
Jump Straight up, land with Right Foot in front
Jump and turn 90 degrees Left, land on Right foot with Left Toe pointed
Jump and turn 90 degrees to face front, land on both feet Right foot in front

Lead Around

Repeat Lead Around from beginning and take a bow!

Irish Reel Threes - Huh?

I got an email request to explain those "threes" we do for the reel.

So here's an attempt:

Stand with your weight on the Left Foot
Point your Right Foot in front of you

Lift your Right Foot off the ground (as high as is comfortable) - you have all weight on LF
Jump off your Left Foot (and kick yourself in the pants with it if you can) - you are airborn!
Land on your Right Foot - you have all weigh on RF
Immediately put your Left Foot in Front of the Right Foot - you have all weight on LF
Tuck your Right Foot very close behind your Left Foot - you have all weight on RF

Lift LF off ground - Count "and"
Jump off your RF - Count "a"
Land on LF - Count "1"
Step on RF in FRONT - Count "2"
Step on LF close behind RF - Count "3"

Keep repeating until you get the hang of it.

Notice you start the step by jumping from one foot onto the other.

For those of you who do better to watch than read a step:
I don't often refer people to Youtube because there's so much bad and incorrect dancing on there. However, here is a clip of master teacher and judge, Olive Hurley, trying to teach a reel to the editor of Irish Dance Magazine. Pay no mind to the other steps she does - we're not doing those. But do look at how she does the lead around:

Click here for IDM Reel

A Simple jig

This is a simple light jig routine.

Lead Around
8 Threes starting with the Right Foot

Side Step
Sevens to the Right
Rise and Grind
Sevens to the Left
Rise and Grind

Step One
Sink and Grind with Right Foot in Front
Skip Forward (Hop Step R, Hop Step L, Hop Step R, L, R, L)
Skip Backward (Hop Step R, Hop Step L, Hop Step R, L, R, L)
Rise and Grind with Right Foot in Front

Sink and Grind with Left Foot in Front
Skip Forward (Hop Step L, Hop Step R, Hop Step L, R, L, R)
Skip Backward (Hop Step L, Hop Step R, Hop Step L, R, L, R)
Rise and Grind with Left Foot in Front

Step Two
Sink and Grind with Right Foot Front
Hop on Left then Step R, L, R, L with Right in Front
Hop on Left then Step R, L, R, L with Right in Back
Sevens turning clockwise
Rise and Grind with Right Foot

Sink and Grind with Left Foot Front
Hop on Right then Step L, R, L, R with Left in Front
Hop on Right then Step L, R, L, R with Left in Back
Sevens turning counter-clockwise
Rise and Grind with Left Foot



Step Three
Step on Right then Kick with Left
Hop on Right then Step L, R, L, R with Left in Back
Step on Left then Kick with Right
Hop on Left then Step R, L, R, L with Right in Back
Tap Right toe to Back
Tap Right heel to Front
Jump and land Right foot in Back
Jump and land Right foot in Front
Rise and Grind with Right Foot

Step on Left then Kick with Right
Hop on Left then Step R, L, R, L with Right in Back
Step on Right then Kick with Left
Hop on Right then Step L, R, L, R with Left in Back
Tap Left toe to Back
Tap Left heel to Front
Jump and land Left foot in Back
Jump and land Left foot in Front
Rise and Grind with Left Foot

Lead Around Again and Take a Bow!

Bonfire Dance

Name: Bonfire Dance / Rince Mór na Tine
Time: Reel
Form: Everyone in one circle, partner stands next to you

1. Advance and Retire
Dance 4 Threes forward
Dance 4 Threes back

2. Rings
Dance Seven to the Right and 2 Threes in place
Dance Seven to the Left and 2 Threes in place

3. Advance and Retire again

4. Rings
Dance Seven to the Left and 2 Threes in place
Dance Seven to the Right and 2 Threes in place

5. Step In and Out
Face partner
Everyone dances Seven to the Right and immediate Seven back to Left
Turn partner half turn by the Right Hand into partner's spot
Turn partner half turn by the Left Hand back into your spot

Everyone dances Seven to the Left and immediate Seven back to Right
Turn partner half turn by the Left Hand back into partner's spot
Turn partner half turn by the Right Hand into your spot

6. The Rose
Ladies dance into the center and hold hands to make a smaller circle
Ladies dance Seven to the Right
Ladies dance 2 Threes while turning so they are facing out from the circle
Ladies rejoin hands and dance Seven to the Right and 2 Threes in place
Ladies dance out to partner and turn him by Right Hand

Gents dance into the center and hold hands to make a smaller circle
Gents dance Seven to the Left
Gents dance 2 Threes while turning so they are facing out from the circle
Gents rejoin hands and dance Seven to the Left and 2 Threes in place
Gents dance out to partner and turn her by Right Hand

7. Swing and Exchange
Couples now take crossed hands and swing each other around for about 4 bars
Gent drops Lady off on his Left side
Couples bow to each other, and bow to person on the other side of them who is now
their new partner

8. Repeat
Everyone is now back in one big circle, but with a new partner next to them
Repeat entire dance

This dance is sometimes called "The Bonfire Reel."

Some communities Advance and Retire doing 2 Threes forward and back twice instead of 4 Threes forward and back once, FYI. Either way it comes out to the same amount of time/bars of music.

More refined people dance the last swing slowly and take time to drop off their partner politely. The "real" way people dance it at parties, at least around here, is to spin like mad 'til you're good and dizzy.

Haymaker's Jig

Name: Haymaker's Jig / Baint an Fheir
Time: Double Jig
Form: Line of Gents facing Line of Ladies, partner across from you
Dance is ideally done with 5 couples, although it can be done with any number

1. Advance & Retire
Dance 2 Threes Forward, 2 Threes Back
Dance 2 Threes Forward, 2 Threes Back again
Dance 2 Jig Steps
Dance 2 Threes Forward, 2 Threes Back one more time

2. Turn in the Center
Top Gent and Bottom Lady turn by Right Hand
Top Lady and Bottom Gent turn by Right Hand
Top Gent and Bottom Lady turn by Left Hand
Top Lady and Bottom Gent turn by Left Hand
Top Gent and Bottom Lady turn with a Long Swing
Top Lady and Bottom Gent turn with a Long Swing

3. Link Arms
Top Couple turn with Right Hand
Top Lady turns next Gent in Line with Left Hand, Top Gent does same with Lady Line
Top Couple continues Right Hand to each other, Left to the next in Line until
they reach the bottom
Top Couple swing each other back to the top of the set

4. Cast Off
Gents dance Threes to the Left, Ladies dance Threes to the Right
Top Couple meet at the bottom and make a bridge
Everyone goes through the bridge

5. Repeat
Everyone is lined back up, the Top Couple is now the Bottom Couple
Entire dance is repeated

Bridge of Athlone

Name: Bridge of Athlone / Droichead Atha Luain
Time: Double Jig
Form: Line of Gents facing Line of Ladies, Partner is Across from You

1. Rising Step, Advance & Retire
Two jig steps
Advance and Retire
Two jig steps
Advance and Pass Through the other line

Two jig steps
Advance and Retire
Two jig steps
Advance and Pass Through the other line

2. Down the Center
First 1, 3 or 5 couples (caller's choice)
Dance Seven down the Center, two Threes in place
Dance Seven back up the Center, two Threes in place

3. Cast Off
Gents line dance Threes to the Left, Ladies dance Threes to the Right

4. The Bridge
Top Couple(s) make a bridge and everyone else goes through the bridge
Everyone else makes a brige
Top Ladies go up under bridge while Gents go up to the left of Briddge
Top Gents go down under bridge while Ladies go down to the right of Bridge

5. Start over
Everyone should be back in 2 lines, the former Top Couple(s) now at the bottom
Repeat entire dance

Irish Dance - Faking It

I've been involved with Irish dance in some capacity for over 15 years. In that time I've seen just about every variation on steps, figures and ceili dances. Some good, some not so much.

But allow me to vent a brief moment on "faking it."

There seems to be a proliferation of teachers and online posters putting up faked or dumbed-down versions of dances. This is ridiculous, and I'll tell you why: people always start faking it when they are tired regardless of what you teach them.

So why not teach it correctly from the start? There's no need to teach a ceili dance taking out all the jig steps or more vigorous footwork simply because you think it's over the heads of the dancers or beyond their stamina and coordination. They will, they always do, replace the harder steps with simple walking or skipping as it suits them...even when you encourage them not to wimp out.

I have no issue with people doing less strenuous steps or simpler figures - sometimes time doesn't allow to teach a dance fully. Sometimes, after 2 hours of dancing, doing more Rise & Grind steps are way too much to ask. But if things are posted for others' education, they should be noted when they are not the full version, and that they are a modified version. Otherwise, we have ceili groups popping up (and I've witnessed this) who are self-taught incorrectly.

Dancing in Madison

There are currently a few options for adults to try out Irish Dance in Madison, WI.

ALL of these classes are open to beginners with no previous experience.

No special shoes are required; just don't wear your dirty shoes in off the street onto dance studio floors (clean tennis shoes, ballet slippers, dance sneakers, or anything that does NOT have a thick tread is fine).

Step Dancing for Adults
This class is for adults who want to learn solo step dancing. The class covers three basic routines: a jig, reel and a hornpipe. 122 State St., 3rd Floor. 7:30-8:30pm. Wednesdays. Registration Required here:
UW Continuing Studies

Survey of Irish Dance for Adults
This class is a sampling of solo step dancing as well as set and ceili dancing. Class is held at local schools through Madison School & Community Recreation. Mondays or Thursdays. Registration Required here:
MSCR

Irish Dance Drop-In Lessons for Adults
This class covers solo step or ceili dancing depending on how many people attend. Every week is a little different from the one before since it is drop-in. But basics are always covered at least briefly. Great for people who want to try out Irish Dance without having to commit to a full semester. 212 N Henry St. Wednesdays. 5:15-6:16pm. Studio Information Here: Dance Fabulous, LLC