| Being a beginner Irish Dancer is not very fun at times, and we all know, because even those girls who got up there and won the world Irish dance Championships were beginners at one point. There are several things that you have to remember, and it is really hard. But hang in there, you can do it!! For more information on what to do what you dance, click here. |
| ~*Beginners*~ |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| This is team dancing (aka ceili dancing or figure dancing) They are done in teams of two, three, four, eight etc. |
| This is a soft shoe (aka pump) and it is what most begginers use when they first start out. The three soft shoe dances are reel, slip jig and light jig. Figure dancing is also done in soft shoe. |
| This is a hard shoe, and once you get better you will learn to wear these. It takes a long time to make them sound proper, but don't give up. Treble jig, hornpipe and all set dances are done in hard shoe (for a complete list of sets, click here. |
| I myself am a really strong soft shoe dancer so jumps like this come easy to me, but for beginners they look really tough. Just keep your shoulders back, head up, and jump!! |
 |
 |
|
|
| On your first feis you may not know what to bring so heres a list of stuff that you should make sure you have. For a bigger and more detailed list, click here. ~ Money: $10-$20 should be good. You will need it for getting into the feis, a programme, lunch and snacks. ~Water, sancks, a book: Water is a MUST!! put it in the fridge over night to keep it cold. Sancks can be very expensive. Bring lots!! You know the Irish.... always running late!! Bring a book to pass the time! |
| Here is a few key terms you may want to know for the feis (say FESH)- ~ They never start on time so don't plan on it ~ When they do start, they start with figures(see below) and tir na nog (the little kids below 6) ~ Beginners dance after these two. ~ You dance two at a time with someone from a different school and you only do two steps ~ When you get there, estimate how long it will be until you will be dancing. Take your curlers out/ put your wig on 1/2 hour before you dance, and load up on hairspray ~ If you mess up while your dancing, just keep going, the judge may never know!! ~ If you forget your steps, make them up!! Chances are, no one will notice. ~ If you win, great job!! If you loose, keep trying!! |
 |
|
|
| Just so You Know- |