1. Introduction to British Folk Dances
Introduction to British Folk Dances
British folk dances have been around for centuries, and have been a part of the cultural landscape for as long as anyone can remember. They are often seen as a representation of the country’s history and culture, and are often passed down from generation to generation.
The traditional folk dances of Britain are usually performed in a circle, and involve a variety of steps and movements. The dances are often accompanied by traditional music, and can be performed both indoors and outdoors.
The most popular folk dances of Britain are the Morris Dance, the Long Sword Dance, the Rapper Sword Dance, the Irish Jig, and the Maypole Dance. These dances are often performed at festivals and special occasions.
Morris Dance
The Morris Dance is a traditional English folk dance, and is one of the most popular and widely performed dances in Britain. It is usually performed by six or eight dancers, and is accompanied by traditional music. The dance involves a variety of steps and movements, and is often performed with sticks and bells.
Long Sword Dance
The Long Sword Dance is a traditional English folk dance, and is usually performed by six or eight dancers. The dance involves a variety of steps and movements, and is often accompanied by traditional music. The dance is usually performed with long swords, and is often performed at festivals and special occasions.
Rapper Sword Dance
The Rapper Sword Dance is a traditional English folk dance, and is usually performed by four or five dancers. The dance involves a variety of steps and movements, and is often accompanied by traditional music. The dance is usually performed with flexible steel swords, and is often performed at festivals and special occasions.
Irish Jig
The Irish Jig is a traditional Irish folk dance, and is usually performed by two or three dancers. The dance involves a variety of steps and movements, and is often accompanied by traditional music. The dance is usually performed with handkerchiefs, and is often performed at festivals and special occasions.
Maypole Dance
The Maypole Dance is a traditional English folk dance, and is usually performed by six or eight dancers. The dance involves a variety of steps and movements, and is often accompanied by traditional music. The dance is usually performed around a maypole, and is often performed at festivals and special occasions.
2. History of British Folk Dances
History of British Folk Dances
British folk dancing has a long and varied history, stretching back to the Middle Ages. In the 16th century, court dances such as the galliard and the pavane were popular amongst the nobility, while country dances such as the Morris dance were popular amongst the commoners.
In the 18th century, the minuet and the quadrille were popular social dances, while the waltz became increasingly popular in the 19th century. The 20th century saw the emergence of the foxtrot, the tango, and the Charleston, all of which were derived from traditional folk dances.
The Morris Dance
The Morris Dance is a traditional English folk dance that dates back to the 15th century. It is usually performed by a group of dancers, accompanied by musicians playing traditional instruments such as the accordion, melodeon, and tabor. The dancers typically wear bells on their legs, as well as brightly coloured ribbons and other decorations.
The Waltz
The Waltz is a popular ballroom dance that originated in Germany in the late 18th century. It is characterised by its three-beat rhythm and its graceful, circular movements. It is typically performed by a couple, with the man leading and the woman following his lead.
The Foxtrot
The Foxtrot is a popular ballroom dance that was invented in the early 20th century. It is characterised by its smooth, gliding steps and its use of swing rhythms. It is typically performed by a couple, with the man leading and the woman following his lead.
The Tango
The Tango is a popular ballroom dance that originated in Argentina in the late 19th century. It is characterised by its passionate and intense movements and its use of syncopated rhythms. It is typically performed by a couple, with the man leading and the woman following his lead.
3. Popular Folk Dances in Ballroom Dance
Popular Folk Dances in Ballroom Dance
The Waltz
The Waltz is one of the most popular of all ballroom dances. It is also known as the ‘Viennese Waltz’ and is characterized by its graceful and elegant movements. It is a 3/4 time dance that is usually danced in a closed position and is known for its flowing, circular movements.
The Foxtrot
The Foxtrot is another popular ballroom dance that is a favorite among many dancers. It is a smooth and graceful dance that is done in 4/4 time and is characterized by its walking steps and long gliding movements. It is a great dance to learn for beginners and is a classic style of ballroom dancing.
The Quickstep
The Quickstep is a fast-paced ballroom dance that is full of energy and excitement. It is a 4/4 time dance that is characterized by its quick and intricate footwork. It is a great dance to learn for those who want to add some pizzazz to their ballroom dancing.
4. The Playford Jig
The Playford Jig
The Playford Jig is a traditional British folk dance that dates back to the late 17th century. It is a lively, jig-style dance that is usually performed in a circle. The dance is named after John Playford, the English publisher who published the first edition of the dance in 1651.
The dance is composed of 8 bars of music, and each bar is 8 beats. The steps are simple and can be adapted to fit the music. The steps involve a series of skips, hops, and jumps, and the dancers must keep time with the music.
Steps
The Playford Jig is a simple dance that can be adapted to fit the music. The steps involve a series of skips, hops, and jumps, and the dancers must keep time with the music.
The first step is to join hands and form a circle. The second step is to skip to the right three times, and then to the left three times. The third step is to hop three times on the spot, and then to hop to the left three times. The fourth step is to jump three times on the spot, and then to jump to the right three times.
The fifth step is to skip to the right three times, and then to the left three times. The sixth step is to hop three times on the spot, and then to hop to the left three times. The seventh step is to jump three times on the spot, and then to jump to the right three times. The eighth step is to repeat the steps from the beginning.
Variations
The Playford Jig can be adapted to fit the music. Variations of the dance can include different steps, such as skipping to the left and right four times instead of three, or hopping four times instead of three. The steps can also be changed to fit the tempo of the music, such as hopping faster or slower.
The Playford Jig can also be performed with different formations, such as a line or a square. The steps can also be adapted to fit the formation, such as skipping in a line or hopping in a square.
5. The Strip the Willow
5. Strip the Willow
Strip the Willow is a popular and energetic Scottish folk dance, which is still frequently seen in ballroom dance competitions throughout the UK. It is a partner dance, usually performed in a circle formation, and it is characterized by its fast-paced and intricate footwork.
The dance begins with the partners facing each other and holding hands. The man then takes a step forward and the woman takes a step back while the man swings his arms up in a circular motion. The woman then follows the man’s lead, and the couple circles around each other in a counter-clockwise motion.
The dance then continues with the couple alternating between the ‘strip’ and the ‘willow’. The ‘strip’ involves the couple taking a series of small steps while the man swings his arms in an arching motion. The ‘willow’ involves the couple taking a series of larger steps while the man swings his arms in a circular motion.
The dance ends with the couple returning to their original positions, and the man taking a step forward and the woman taking a step back.
Variations
Strip the Willow is a very versatile dance, and there are a number of variations that can be used to add variety and complexity to the dance. Some of the most popular variations include the ‘skip the willow’, which involves the couple skipping in a circle, and the ‘clap the willow’, which involves the couple clapping in time with the music.
Music
Strip the Willow is usually performed to traditional Scottish music, such as marches, reels, jigs, and strathspeys. However, it can also be performed to a variety of other styles of music, including waltzes and polkas.
6. The Dashing White Sergeant
The Dashing White Sergeant
The Dashing White Sergeant is one of the most popular British folk dances, and is regularly performed in ballrooms across the country. The dance is a lively, energetic jig that is performed in four-couple sets.
History
The Dashing White Sergeant is believed to have originated in Scotland in the early 19th century. The dance was first published in 1817 by J. B. McLeod, a Scottish dancing master, and it quickly became popular in both Scotland and England as a country dance.
Steps
The Dashing White Sergeant is a 32-bar dance consisting of a variety of steps. It begins with a “right and left” figure in which couples join hands and circle around each other. This is followed by a “ladies chain” in which the men and women exchange places. The dance then continues with a variety of turns and figures, including the “dashing white sergeant” figure in which the men and women join hands and circle around each other.
Music
The Dashing White Sergeant is traditionally performed to a jig-style tune in 6/8 time. Popular tunes include “The Dashing White Sergeant” and “The White Cockade.”
Popularity
The Dashing White Sergeant is a popular dance in ballrooms across the country. It is often performed at weddings and other special occasions, and it is a staple of the Scottish country dance repertoire.
7. The Cumberland Square Eight
The Cumberland Square Eight
The Cumberland Square Eight is one of the most popular traditional folk dances in Britain. It is a very energetic dance that is enjoyed by all ages. The dance is performed in a square formation with eight couples. Each couple stands side by side and the dance is performed in a clockwise direction.
The dance consists of three sections: the first section is a simple sequence of steps that the couples perform in unison. The second section is a set of turns and the third is a series of figures. During the turns, the couples move in a circular formation and the figures involve the couples moving in and out of the circle.
History of the Cumberland Square Eight
The Cumberland Square Eight has been danced in Britain since the early 19th century. It was originally performed to a variety of tunes, including jigs, reels, and hornpipes. The dance was popularized in the late 19th century by the English folk dance revival.
How to Dance the Cumberland Square Eight
The Cumberland Square Eight is a relatively simple dance to learn. The steps are fairly basic and the figures are easy to remember. The dance is usually performed to a fast tempo, so it is important to keep the steps light and quick.
The dance begins with the couples standing in a square formation. The first section is a series of steps that the couples perform in unison. The second section is a set of turns and the third is a series of figures. During the turns, the couples move in a circular formation and the figures involve the couples moving in and out of the circle.
Where to Find Cumberland Square Eight Events
The Cumberland Square Eight is a popular folk dance in Britain and there are many events and festivals dedicated to the dance. The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) holds regular events and workshops for folk dancers. Additionally, many local folk dance clubs host regular classes and dances.
8. The Virginia Reel
The Virginia Reel
The Virginia Reel is a traditional American folk dance that has been popular in Britain since the late 18th century. It is a lively and energetic dance that involves couples arranged in two lines and a caller giving instructions. The dance involves the couples in each line taking turns to dance with each other, while the other line looks on and claps.
The dance often starts with the couples in the lines facing each other, but can also start with the couples in the lines facing away from each other. The caller then gives instructions for the couples to move down the line, and the dance continues until all of the couples have danced with each other.
Steps and Variations
The basic steps of the Virginia Reel involve couples walking forward and back, turning to the right and left, and clapping. There are also variations of the dance that involve more complicated steps, such as the ‘grand chain’ and the ‘swing’.
The grand chain involves couples holding hands and walking in a circle around the dance floor, while the swing involves couples dancing with each other in a circular motion.
History
The Virginia Reel has its roots in the traditional dances of the British Isles. It is believed to have been brought to America by Scottish immigrants in the late 18th century, and was popularized in Britain during the 19th century.
The dance has been featured in popular culture, including the movie ‘Gone with the Wind’ and the musical ‘Oklahoma’. It is still popular today in ballroom dance competitions, and is a great way to show off your dancing skills.
9. The Lancers
The Lancers
The Lancers is one of the most popular folk dances in Britain. It is a lively and energetic dance that involves a lot of movement, and it is often performed at weddings and other social occasions.
The dance originated in the 19th century, and it is believed to have been inspired by the military marches of the time. The dance is usually performed in a line formation, and it involves a series of steps and turns. The dance is usually accompanied by a lively tune, and it is often accompanied by a band.
Steps
The Lancers involves a series of steps and turns. The steps are usually performed in pairs, and they involve a lot of movement. The steps involve crossing the feet, turning around, and hopping.
Music
The music for the Lancers is usually a lively tune, and it is often accompanied by a band. The music is usually provided by a fiddle, a flute, and a drum.
Costumes
The costumes for the Lancers usually involve traditional British clothing. Men often wear trousers, waistcoats, and hats, and women often wear skirts and blouses. Both men and women often wear brightly coloured ribbons.
Variations
The Lancers can be performed in a variety of variations. The dance can be performed with a partner, or in a group of four or more. It can also be performed in a circle, or in a line formation.
Conclusion
The Lancers is a popular folk dance in Britain, and it is often performed at weddings and other social occasions. The dance involves a series of steps and turns, and it is usually accompanied by a lively tune. The costumes for the dance usually involve traditional British clothing, and the dance can be performed in a variety of variations.
10. Conclusion
10. Conclusion
The best British folk dances in ballroom dance are some of the most enjoyable and interesting dances to learn. They are fun to do, and they provide an insight into the culture of the British Isles. Whether you are looking for a new dance to learn or just want to learn more about British folk culture, these dances are sure to provide a great experience.
The dances of the British Isles are varied and colourful, and the best British folk dances in ballroom dance are no exception. With their unique steps and formations, they are sure to add a touch of culture and fun to any ballroom dance.
Takeaways
• The best British folk dances in ballroom dance are fun and interesting to learn.
• These dances provide an insight into the culture of the British Isles.
• The dances of the British Isles are varied and colourful.
• The best British folk dances in ballroom dance are sure to add a touch of culture and fun to any ballroom dance.
