The Rhythm of the Dance
Have you ever noticed that traditional Irish dance tunes have no drums in them? The rhythm of the music is created through each dance with the feet of the dancers! There are two types of shoes that dancers wear, one hard and one soft. Each shoe is worn for specific types of dances and music, and one type makes noise while the other is quite quiet.
Beginning dancers start off learning soft shoes, also known as light shoes or gillies, first. Typically, beginners will either learn the light jig or reel as the first dance, and once mastered, move on to learn the other. Girls will also learn a slip jig, but it is a dance designated to the female dancers, known for its elegance and beauty. In Europe, many dancers learn the single jig or hop jig as well, but in North America, it is less common to learn.
The speed of the music slows down as a dancer progresses through the competitive levels for both the reel and slip jig, and the jig is only done in the earlier grades, but not in the championship levels. When performing a soft shoe or light shoe dance, the arch of the foot with beautiful points as well as extension, toe height, and powerful lift are some of the skills to master.
Hard Shoe
Dancers typically start learning hard shoe in their second year, as it takes a great level of skill and practice to dance on fiberglass tips and heels. These are the shoes that people sometimes call “tap shoes” because they make noise or rhythm.
The execution of soft shoe skills is still required in hard shoe, but there is now an added level of complex foot rhythm and kicks with clicks that are more challenging.
Students typically start learning the hard shoe in their second year of dance but continue to learn more complex steps and movements over the years. First, students learn traditional or fast speeds of treble jig and hornpipe, with simpler rhythm, as well as traditional set dances that are to be done the same way around the world. The choreography is not up to each school; rather, dancers learn each set dance the same way no matter what state, country, or continent they live in.
As dancers progress through the grades of competition, just like the soft shoe dances, the speed slows down for the hornpipe and treble jig, and the rhythm and choreography of each dance become more challenging and complex.
At age ten, dancers are able to learn choice set dances, and the teacher(s) in each school get to choose the set tune, speed, and create the entire dance from start to finish. These are typically very interesting to watch because of the intricacy of the footwork and the attention to detail in the creation to ensure the set showcases each dancer’s strengths and talents. When performing the set dance, dancers are alone on stage, and it is a true showcase of talent.
The Cost of Irish Dance Shoes
These specialized shoes come at a decent cost, ranging from about fifty dollars for the cheapest pair of soft shoes up to two hundred dollars for higher-end hard shoes. Dancers grow out of shoes, just as kids do, and this can become quite costly in this competitive sport. Luckily, the Irish dance community is very good about passing on outgrown shoes to younger dancers in their schools, and the virtual resale world has made buying used shoes more accessible to all.
Having the right shoes is an important piece of a successful dance journey. Finding the right fit and style to suit each dancer takes some time to learn and understand. Many of the vendors offer sizing help and will fit dancers onsite at competitions, and teachers will also check to make sure the shoes are a good fit.
Who knew there was so much to know about the shoes Irish dancers wear? The shoes are just one piece of the puzzle. In future columns, you will learn about the costumes, hair, and makeup that also go into the competitive Irish dance journey.
