Dance Movement for Folk Dance Descriptions

Folk Dance Movement

By Dick Oakes

Chain	A dance form in which dancers stand in a line, semi-circle, or circle and are joined by holding hands with the person on either side. The hand hold may vary (low, elbows bent, elbows straight, shoulder hold, belt hold, front basket, back basket, etc.).

Couple	A set of two people.

Gesturing Leg, Foot, Arm, Hand	The limb which is not carrying weight and is free to move as the dance dictates.

Supporting Leg, Foot	The leg or foot which is carrying the body's weight.

Place	The spot where the feet are when standing still with feet together. Place moves to the new spot beside the supporting foot when weight is transferred from one foot to the other.

Trio	A set of three people.

Steps

Bounce	Raise and lower the heels without leaving the floor.

Brush	A gesture by the free foot in which the ball of the foot contacts the floor as the foot is swung forward or backward.

Cabriole	A hop in which the supporting foot rises to meet the free foot in the air and the heels touch together.

Chug	An abrupt slide forward, backward, or sideward on either or both feet, usually accompanied by a plie of the supporting knee(s).

Extend	The act of straightening a joint to its fullest range of motion.

Flex	The act of bending a joint (knee, ankle, elbow, wrist).

Hop	Begins with the weight on one foot, moves into the air, and lands on the same foot.

Jump	Beginning on either or both feet, springing into the air and landing on both feet.

Kick	With weight on on foot, thrust the other foot in any direction, depending on the requirements of the specific dane.

Leap	A change of weight from one foot to another with both feet being off the floor at some time during the change.

Lift	Begins with the weight on one foot, moves into the air, and lands on the same foot except that only the heel of the supporting foot leaves the floor; usually danced with a straightening of the supporting knee and a lifting gesture of the free leg (sometimes called a "lilt").

Pivot	A movement in which the body spins in place on the ball of the supporting foot or both feet.

Plie	A movement in which the body is lowered by bending (flexing) the knee(s) and ankle(s) of the supporting leg or legs.

Point	A gesture by the free foot in which the foot lightly contacts the floor without taking weight or creating noise and in which leg and foot are extended.

Scuff	A gesture by the free foot in which the foot is swung forward, brushing the heel on the floor.

Stamp	A vertical downward movement which strikes the heel or flat of the free foot on the floor without taking weight, but which creates an audible noise. Generally accomplished by lowering the body in a plie of the supporting leg and striking the floor with a flexed free leg. May be with weight (stamp) or without weight (sometimes called a stomp).

Step	A change of weight from one foot to another with at least one foot remaining in contact with the floor throughout the change.

Swing	With weight on one foot, swing the other foot lightly in any direction, depending on the requirements of the specific dance.

Tap	A movement from the ankle which lightly strikes the floor vertically with the ball or toe of the free foot without taking weight.

Touch	A gesture by the free foot in which the foot lightly contacts the floor without taking weight or creating noise. Either knee may be flexed or stretched.

Two-Step Combinations

Buzz	A series of steps where one foot leads continually and the other foot pushes, looking like limping or like a child on a scooter.

Gallop	A step forward with the leading foot, usually with a soft knee flexion, followed by a low leap into place on the trailing foot; usually danced in a series.

Heep-and-toe	Touch one heel to the floor, then the toe of the same foot. In some dances, the heel is touched forward and the toe back. In other dances, the heel is touched diagonally to one side and the toe is touched to the floor across the instep of the other foot.

Hop-point	Hop on one foot and, either at the same time or a beat later, point the other foot.

Hop-Step	Begins with the weight on one foot, moves into the air, and lands on the same foot, followed by a change of weight from one foot to another with at least one foot remaining in contact with the floor throughout the change.

Reel	A series of step-hops or hop-steps with the foot taking weight stepping in front of or behind the supporting foot; may travel or stay in place.

Skip	A hop followed by a step on the free foot, usually in an irregular quick-slow rhythm.

Run	A series of leaps, usually continuing in the same direction.

Shuffle	A brush forward and backward with the free foot.

Slide, Glissade, Chassé	A step to the side with the leading foot, usually with a soft knee flexion, followed by a low leap into place on the trailing foot; usually danced in a series.

Step-close	Step to one side with one foot, then bring the other foot up to it (may or may not have a shift of weight).

Step-draw	Step to one side, then lightly drag the other foot to the supporting foot (may or may not be with a shift of weight).

Step-hop	Change weight from one foot to another with at least one foot remaining in contact with the floor throughout the change, followed by a movement that begins with the foot with the weight, moves into the air, and lands on the same foot.

Step-swing	Step on one foot and, either at the same time or a beat later, swing the other foot in any direction, depending on the requrements of the specific dance.

Step-touch	Step in any direction, then lightly touch the other foot to the floor. The touch may be beside the supporting foot or in any direction.

Toe-and-heel	Touch one toe to the floor, then the heel of the same foot. In some dances, the toe is touched back and the heel forward.

Three-Step (or more) Combinations

Grapevine	Step on one foot across in front of the other, step on the trailing foot to the side, step on the lead foot behind the other foot, step on the trailing foot to the side. Usually done in a series, repeating the action with the opposite footwork.

Mazurka	Step forward on one foot, step forward on the trailing foot (either next to to forward of the lead foot), hop on the lead foot. Usually done in a series, repeating the action with the opposite footwork.

Pas-de-Bas	(Pronounced: pah-dee-bah.) Leap to one foot, step across in front of the supporting foot with the trailing foot, step on the lead foot in place. This is usually danced in a series, repeating the action with the opposite foortwork.

Polka	Hop on one foot, step with the trailing foot, step with the lead foot next to or forward of the trailing foot. Usueally danced in a series, repeating the action with the opposite footwork.

Schottishce	Step on one foot, close the trailing foot to the lead foot, step on the lead foot, hop on the lead foot. Usually done in a series, repeating the action with the opposite footwork.

Threes or triplets	Three quick steps in place, alternatiing footwork. Sometimes there is more emphasis on the first step or on the last step, depending on the requirements of the specific dance.

Two-step	Step on one foot, bring the other foot to the supporting foot and shift weight, and step on the lead foot again. This is usually danced in a series, repeating the action with the opposite footwork.

Varsouvianna	Sweep one foot across the other, step diagonally on that foot, and close with the trailing foot without weight, pause. Usually done in a series, repeating the action with the opposite footwork.

Varsouvienne	Step forward on one foot, step forward on the trailing foot, step forward on the lead foot, point the trailing foot forward, pause. Usueally done in a series, repeating the action with the opposite footwork.

Waltz	Step on the lead foot, step with the other foot, bring the lead foot to the trailing foot (with a change of weight). Usually danced in a series, repeating the action with the opposite footwork. Most often, the waltz is danced smoothly and lightly.

Waltz-Balance	Step forward or backward on one foot, step on the trailing foot beside the lead foot while rising up on the balls of both feet, step again in place on the lead foot. Usually danced in a series, repeating the action in the opposite direction with the opposite footwork.