Post by Irene on Oct 26, 2010 12:19:24 GMT -5
Here is a Scottish Sword Dance with bagpipes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZCT8H-Hpbc&feature=related
Highland Dancing
Dance is common to all cultures. Most of the true Highland dances are connected with ancient Scottish folk customs. The present form evolved through the centuries as refinement in the general form of dance occurred, but the original basic steps and the themes were passed on through the years.
The two main types of Scottish dance, Country Dance and Highland Dance, differ considerably in style and purpose. Country Dances have the character of ballroom or social dancing, while Highland Dances are quite different. The Highlands are performed solo. They have precise, difficult movements and require much stamina and coordination. Highland Dances were originally danced by men only, but now they're performed by far more females than males. Dance steps are standardized by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (SOBHD) and competitions are held world-wide. In the United States, six geographic regions hold a qualifying competition each spring from which the top three finalists from each region are selected to compete at the United States Inter-Regional Highland Dancing Championships.
Judges evaluate a dancer on three major crtiteria: timing, technique and deportment.
Traditionally, Highland Dancing and Scottish National Dancing competitions are done to bagpipes. The version pipers play today dates back to the 16th Century, when the MacCrimmon family, pipers for McLeod of Harris, worked out not only the form of the bagpipes, but also the intricate fingering on the chanter. The music itself consists of the melody, which is played on the chanter, backed up by continuous and unvarying tones from the three drone pipes.
THE HIGHLAND FLING
A dance of victory in battle. Traditionally, the ancient warriors and clansmen performed this dance on the small round shield (called a targ) which they carried into battle. One can understand the quick footwork and dexterity of the dancer when it is pointed out that most targs carried a pinpoint sharp spike of steel projecting some 5-6 inches from its center. A false or careless step could be more than a little painful.
THE SWORD DANCE (GHILLIE CALLUM)
The ancient dance of war of the Scottish Gael. It is said to date back to King Malcolm Canmore. There is no Highland Dance older or better known thean the Ghillie Callum. Tradition says the original Ghillie Callum was a Celtic prince who was a hero of mortal combat against one of MacBeth's chiefs at the Battle of Dunsinane in 1504. He is said to have taken the chief's sword, crossed over it with his own on the ground before him, and danced over them both in exultation.
Looking forward to your choices this week.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZCT8H-Hpbc&feature=related
Highland Dancing
Dance is common to all cultures. Most of the true Highland dances are connected with ancient Scottish folk customs. The present form evolved through the centuries as refinement in the general form of dance occurred, but the original basic steps and the themes were passed on through the years.
The two main types of Scottish dance, Country Dance and Highland Dance, differ considerably in style and purpose. Country Dances have the character of ballroom or social dancing, while Highland Dances are quite different. The Highlands are performed solo. They have precise, difficult movements and require much stamina and coordination. Highland Dances were originally danced by men only, but now they're performed by far more females than males. Dance steps are standardized by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (SOBHD) and competitions are held world-wide. In the United States, six geographic regions hold a qualifying competition each spring from which the top three finalists from each region are selected to compete at the United States Inter-Regional Highland Dancing Championships.
Judges evaluate a dancer on three major crtiteria: timing, technique and deportment.
Traditionally, Highland Dancing and Scottish National Dancing competitions are done to bagpipes. The version pipers play today dates back to the 16th Century, when the MacCrimmon family, pipers for McLeod of Harris, worked out not only the form of the bagpipes, but also the intricate fingering on the chanter. The music itself consists of the melody, which is played on the chanter, backed up by continuous and unvarying tones from the three drone pipes.
THE HIGHLAND FLING
A dance of victory in battle. Traditionally, the ancient warriors and clansmen performed this dance on the small round shield (called a targ) which they carried into battle. One can understand the quick footwork and dexterity of the dancer when it is pointed out that most targs carried a pinpoint sharp spike of steel projecting some 5-6 inches from its center. A false or careless step could be more than a little painful.
THE SWORD DANCE (GHILLIE CALLUM)
The ancient dance of war of the Scottish Gael. It is said to date back to King Malcolm Canmore. There is no Highland Dance older or better known thean the Ghillie Callum. Tradition says the original Ghillie Callum was a Celtic prince who was a hero of mortal combat against one of MacBeth's chiefs at the Battle of Dunsinane in 1504. He is said to have taken the chief's sword, crossed over it with his own on the ground before him, and danced over them both in exultation.
Looking forward to your choices this week.