Positions
What are the 5 basic positions of the feet?
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
What is the difference between a hop and a spring?
A hop begins on the ball of one foot and finishes on the ball of the same foot, while a spring begins on the ball of one foot and finishes on the ball of the other foot.
How many counts are used in one shedding movement?
4 counts. Count 1 (extension to 2nd), count 2 (3rd rear aerial), count 3 (3rd aerial), count 4 (3rd rear aerial).
What are the Highland dances?
Fling, Sword, Seann Triubhas, Strathspey, Reel, Reel of Tulloch (reels may be combined in various ways)
In what movement are the working foot and the raised arm in 2nd position on the same side of the body?
Propelled Pivot Turn
How many head positions exist in Highland Dancing?
2 head positions (1st position of the head and 2nd position of the head)
What is the only dance in which propelled pivot turns appear?
The Reel of Tulloch
What are the two different ways to count a pas de basque?
In the sword: 1& 2
In all other dances: 1 & 2
Open pas de basques only happen in what dance?
The Sword dance.
In Fling turns, must the arms be in 2nd position?
No, they may be in 2nd position, but they may also be in first position on Fling turns. The dancer must be consistent with her/his choice throughout a step.
What are the three different levels for 3rd aerial position?
Normal - heel just below the knee, toe in line with the mid-calf
Low - toe in line with the ankle of the supporting leg
Very low - just off the ground above third position
To what level do the extensions (of each leg) during a leap go?
Normal.
What are the two, different counting options for the shakes in the Highland Fling?
3 and [a] 4 or 3 [and] a 4
In what movement do we use 3rd crossed?
Pivot Turn
In a bow, must the arms always be in first position?
No, they can also be by the sides.
What's the difference between 4th position, mid-4th position, and 4th intermediate position?
4th position is stretched directly forward, 4th intermediate position is stretched directly to the corner, and mid-4th position is between the two.
Do backsteps always have to start/finish in 3rd aerial position?
No, they can also start/finish in 3rd rear aerial position.
All bows are either X counts or X counts. What two numbers could take the place of X in the previous statement?
4 or 6. All bows are either 4 or 6 counts.
When do we use 4th-opposite-5th and 4th-opposite-5th rear positions?
Open pas de basques
Toe and heels in the sword
What are the two arm options for a travelling balance movement?
1) begin in 3rd position, bring to 5th position on the steps back, bring back to 3rd position on the steps forward.
2) begin in 3rd position, bring to 4th position on the steps back, bring back to 3rd position on the steps forward.
Fill in the blanks. In 4th-opposite-5th position, the BLANK of the front foot is in line with the heel of the back foot and the BLANK of the front foot is in line with the toe of the back foot.
BLANK 1= toe of the front foot
BLANK 2 = heel of the front foot
What body angles are used in the Progressive Strathspey Movement?
Counts 1 and 2 - the body is turned 45º to the corner
Count 3 - the body squares off (no degree of turn)
Count 4 - the body is turned 45º in the other direction
Challenge Question: How do you count the first step of the sword dance in beats and bars?
1& 2 3& 4, 2& 2 3& 4, 3& 2 3 4&, 4& 2& 3& 4&, 5& 2 3& 4, 6& 2 3& 4, 7& 2 3 4&, 8& 2& 3& 4&, 9& 2 3& 4, 10& 2 3& 4, 11& 2 3 4&, 12& 2& 3& 4&, 13& 2 3& 4, 14& 2 3& 4, 15& 2 3 4&, 16& 2& 3& 4&
What is an example of a step in which a high cut in front movement is used?
leap and high cut step of the ST
entrechat and high cut step of the ST
high cut in front and balance step of the ST
In a propelled pivot turn, which foot acts as the propelling force?