Notebooks: We ask each dancer to bring a notebook or note cards with them to class. This is so that they can write down their steps and practice them at home! Irish solo steps are taught in sets of 8 bars of music, so 1 “step” is actually a series of steps done to 8 bars of music. We give each “step” a name so that it is easier to remember; however, once you have learned 10 or more reels (or light jigs or hornpipes, etc.), they can sometimes get jumbled in your head. Hence, the notebook.
Practice: Should your dancer practice at home? YES!!!! Irish dance is like any other sport or lesson. The more your student practices outside of class, the faster he or she will learn and progress. That is another reason we have students write down the steps. It is much easier to practice when you know what you’re supposed to be practicing!
There are not only steps to practice, but technique to practice, too. Irish dancers must keep a rigid, non-moving upper body and arms while their feet must stay fluid. Toes must be pointed, knees kept straight, especially in jumps, feet should be kicking the backside in 3s and other skipping movements, feet must stay turned out and crossed (have your dancer show you 5th position – the goal is for their feet to come to rest there at any point their feet are not in motion during a step. They should be ‘landing’ there after jumps, etc.) and feet must stay lifted off of the heels (relevé in ballet).
