This is my 3rd year dancing. I do both hard shoe and soft shoe. I've competed in 2 Feis's so far, and have done well at both. You're right though...it is a rush!
What is the different between hard shoe and soft shoe? The actual shoe or the dance style!?
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dragonboy, I'm not a dancer and I don't know much about it, but I would say that the main difference between hard and soft shoe is the sound. Have you ever watched Riverdance? When they are dancing hard shoe, the shoes have a very percussive quality, sort of like tap dancing. Soft shoe on the other hand is silent. The shoes look almost like ballet slippers. But as I said I could be wrong...
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Slàn agus beannachd, Allen R. Alderman
'S i Alba tìr mo chridhe. 'S i Gàidhlig cànan m' anama. Scotland is the land of my heart. Gaelic is the language of my soul.
Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 938
Joined: 15-Dec-2003 Zodiac: Oak
Realm: Maryland
Hey dragonboy...the shoes and the style of dancing is different. Go to www.rutherfordshoes.com and you'll see both styles of shoes. Under "Jig Shoes" you see what we're referring to as hard shoes. Under "Girls Reel Shoes" you'll see what we're calling soft shoes.
There are also some things you can do in one type of shoes and not in the other. The steps are also different between the two shoe types. For example hard shoes is very low to the ground and soft shoe can be high flying, with lots of whips, and kicks, and leaps.
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To watch us irish dance is to hear our hearts speak! Life... is like a grapefruit. It's orange and squishy, and has a few pips in it, and some folks have half a one for breakfast. Douglas Adams A woman is like a tea bag- you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. Eleanor Roosevelt
Realm: In Gods Country, Grassy Pond....... Gaffney, SC
I love to dance as well. Three of of my kids dance trad Irish dance, both hard shoes and soft. There are actually differences between dances and what shoes you wear. Soft shoes are for dances such as reels, 4/4 time, lt jig, single jig, 6/8 time as well and then there is slip jig, 9/8 time. Those are all done with soft shoes called ghillies. Then there is hard shoe dances such as,set dances, ie St Patricks Day, The Blue Eyed Rascal, where everyone dances the same steps, treble reels, treble jig, and hornpipes. We take with Rince Na h Eireann out of Charlotte NC and we also compete through them. The Girls absolutely love it with all the fancy dresses and all and My sone got hooked when he saw my oldest get her 1st participation medal. That was all it took!!
Another site to check out is the NAFC. This is the org for traditional irish dance teachers in NA who are certified for students to compete ( and not compete as well) and works along side An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha
I took step lessons for several years Along with my two daughters, Brigid and Terra We had a great teacher, a lass named Una from Belfast I learned alongside the wee ones Which can be frustratin' for they pick it up Much more easily than adults...
Just can't help but dance When I hear Irish music...
My girls rebelled and quit After they discovered boys Unfortunately t'was also After the $500 Irish dance dresses Which now sit in their closet
Me, bein' too old for the dresses Is the only one who still dances
I dance all my steps almost every mornin' My 7's and 3's, my hard jig, My reels, my light jigs, etc.
Have done a bit of Ceili as well But I can only remember all the parts As long as I am dancin' them...
The Seige of Ennis feels like one Until you get into the pattern
O but I love it... Like the pipes...stirs the clan blood
I have both hard and soft shoes Trained in both But funny, peasant I am I perfer to dance in bare feet (As long as the floor is not too splintery... Or the gravel too hot )
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Ni'i aon tintea'n mar do thintea'n fe'in There is no fireplace like your own fireplace
O come back to Ireland! Come back with me! Come back to the green rollin' hills and the sea Come back to the music! Come back to the dance! O come back to Ireland! Come back with me!
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