SAMPLE_GR1_uncomplete

SAMPLECover
Page

Highland Dancing Theory | Grade One



SAMPLEsdt grad on requirements

A. Barre Work: Count (if applicable), demonstrate and describe
1. Positions of Feet - Al (except 1st position) with the working foot

placed on the toe and with the supporting foot flat. 1st, 2nd, 3rd,
3rd Aerial, 3rd Rear Aerial, 4th and 5th
2. Basic Movements
- Hop
- Spring
- Shedding
- Toe and Heel
- Spring Points in 4th position
B. Centre Work: Candidates are required to demonstrate
- The Grouping of fingers
- Correct stance
- Positions of arms (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th)
- Bow
- Spaces, Corners and Sword Numbers and auxiliary spots in Swords
(place working foot on the ½ point)
- Line of Direction
- Demonstrate, describe and count introduction for Highland Fling.
- Head Positions (1st and 2nd)
C. Practical
- Highland Fling – First, Toe heel, Cross Over, Last
- Sword Dance – First, Open Pas De Basque or Pointing, Crossing
and Pointing.

Highland Dancing Theory | Grade One

A ou Foo Positions

The Line of Direction is an imaginary

The Line of Direction line that goes from the front to the
back. It passes between our heels
when we are in first position.

SAMPLEGround Position Aerial Position

(both feet are touching the ground) (the working foot is off the ground)

Closed Open Rear
Position Position Position

Both feet are touching When the leg and The working foot
OR the working foot is the foot are NOT or working leg
are behind the
touching the touching. supporting foot.
supporting leg

Supporting Foot Working
Foot
This is the foot that is supporting your body.
The ball of this foot is in contact with the The working foot is the
ground. We should always try to land in the foot that is doing the
center of the ball of the foot, and make movements.
sure that our knee is over our toes.

Highland Dancing Theory | Grade One

Positions o th Fee

1st Equal amount of weight on each foot. Toe
Your heels are together. Half Point
45 45 Each foot is turned out at 45 from Bal
90 the line of direction. 45 + 45 = 90 Heel C L O S E D
Flat
2nd The working leg is placed to the side
90 from the line of direction. Toe
3rd The toe of the working foot is in line Half Point
with the heel of the supporting foot. Bal
SAMPLE4th
Heel open
5th
Flat

The working foot touches the inside Toe
(holow) of the supporting foot.
Working foot is turned out at 45 Half Point
from the line of direction.
Bal

Heel C L O S E D
Flat

The working leg is extended towards Toe
the front with both heels in line with Half Point
the line of direction, Bal
Working foot is turned out at 45
from the line of the direction. . Heel open

Flat

The working foot is in contact Toe
with the big toe joint of the Half Point
supporting foot. Bal
Working foot is turned out at 45 Heel C L O S E D
from the line of the direction. Flat

Highland Dancing Theory | Grade One

Aeria Positions

THIRD AERIAL THIRD REAR AERIAL

very low very low
low low
normal normal
high high

Knee of the working leg is pushed Knee of the working leg is pushed back.
back. The working foot is placed behind the
The outside of the working foot is supporting leg at the same height as 3rd
touching the front of the supporting aerial normal.
foot. Inside part of the foot is touching the calf
You CAN NOT see the working foot (its
Aerial Heights needs to be well hidden)
SAMPLE
high - toe in line with the center of the knee cap
normal - toe in line with the center of the calf

low - toe in line with the ankle
very low - foot just off the ground

Highland Dancing Theory | Grade One

SAMPLEYou notes

Highland Dancing Theory | Grade One

4th Notes

SA SMPALMEPLE 45• 45•
90• 90•

1st 45•
45•

4th Rear

Highland Dancing Theory | Grade One

SAMPLEGrouping o th Fingers

The fingers are lightly grouped. The thumb is touching the
first joint of the middle finger

Hea Positions

First Position Of The Head

The head faces the front with the eyes level.

Second Position Of The Head

The head is directed diagonally to the right or left
The chin is slightly raised
When the arms are in second the head is turned
away from the raised arm

Th Correc Stanc

The body should be held in a natural easy manner, without
stiffness strain or exaggeration.

Th Bo

1. Stand with feet, head and arms in first position.
2. Incline the body forward slowly and return to the original position.

Side Notes:
The bow should not be exaggerated
The counts are different for every dance.

Highland Dancing Theory | Grade One

Ar Positions

Both hands rested on the hips

1st Backs of the hands to the front with the
knuckles facing the body, wrists straight
Elbows pointed directly out to the side.

One arm is placed as in first position the other raised

2nd at the side, with your arm and wrist slightly curved
Hand slightly above and forward from the head-line
Palms turned inwards
SAMPLE
3rd Both arms are placed as described
for the raised arm in second position.
The palms are facing inwards
towards each other.

4th Closer and higher form of third position
Hands are almost touching

5th Arms are gently curved down
In front of the body
Hands close together
Little fingers almost touching the kilt.

Highland Dancing Theory | Grade One

Th FlingBo

Bar One (1, 2, 3, 4) Stand
Bar Two (5, 6, 7, 8) Stand
Bar Three (1, 2, 3, 4) Bow
Bar Four (5, 6) Bow
Bar Four (7) Rise {MAY Rise}
Bar Four (8)
Pause Basi Mo ements
SAMPLE
Hop - Movement of Elevation begun on the ball of one foot and landing on the ball of the same foot.

Spring - Movement of Elevation begun on the ball of one foot and landing on the ball of the other
foot.

Shedding

Count 1: Spring, Hop or Disassemble and simultaneously on landing extend the working foot
to second position.

Count 2: Hop taking the working foot to 3rd Rear Aerial position.
Count 3: Hop executing a round the leg movement with the working foot to 3rd Aerial

position.
Count 4: Hop executing a round the leg movement taking the working foot to 3rd Rear

Aerial position

Toe- and- Heel

This movement occupies two beats of music.
The specified position for this movement can be: 2nd, 3rd, 4th-opposite-5th or 5th.
Count 1: Hop or spring and simultaneously on landing point the working foot in a specified

position.
Count 2: Hop and simultaneously on landing place the heel in the same specified position.

Spring Points in 4th position
Spring and point the working foot in 4th position, both feet touching the

ground simultaneously.

Highland Dancing Theory | Grade One

SAMPLESpots an Spaces
o th S or

Highland Dancing Theory | Grade One

Sid notes

Movement of Is when you: jump, hop, spring, assemble, disassemble, leap,
Elevation change or entrechat. Basically if you have to try and fly it is a
movement of elevation.

Hop A movement of elevation begun on one foot and landing on that
same foot. An example would be when you are doing shedding.
SAMPLE
Spring A movement of elevation begin on the ball of one foot and landing
on the ball of the other foot. An example would be highcuts.

Simultaneously Simultaneously means it happens at the same time. Here are two
examples:
1. When you are doing highcuts, when you land from the hop
your working foot lands in 3rd rear aerial simultaneously to do
the highcut.
2. When you do an assemble both your feet land in 3rd at the
same time.

Round the Leg This is when you take your foot from 3rd aerial to 3rd rear
Movement aerial or from 3rd aerial to 3rd rear aerial. Like when you are
doing shedding.

Teache Definitions

Highland Dancing Theory | Grade One

SAMPLEYou notes

| Highland Dancing Theory |