Irish Dance Glossary
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Glossary of Irish dance - Helpful guide to those new to Irish dancing
There are 36 entries in this glossary.H
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Hard Shoe |
Black leather shoes with fiberglass heels and taps on the toes. Also called jig shoes, heavy shoes. These shoes consist of fiberglass, composite or steel tips and heels. The tips and heels are used to make a rhythmic drumming sound when performing hornpipes, hard jigs, sets and treble reels. Irish Step Dancing is currently recognized through primarily hard shoe, professional performance shows like Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. However, dances with hard shoes are more difficult to perform and thus are reserved for later when the dancer gains the more basic steps. |
| Hornpipe |
The hornpipe was originally danced exclusively by males in hard shoes, but now, both men and women compete. The hornpipe is in 4/4 time, reminiscent of a slow reel with accents on the first and third beat (ONE-and-a two-and-a three-and-a four-and-a). The apparent slowness of the music, allows for many intricate dance elements in a short amount of time. A notable feature is the frequent use of a rocking motion with the ankles. |