UNIT II 1

International Folk Dance Basic Steps and Dance Terms

UNIT II International Folk Dance Basic Steps

and Dance Terms

OVERVIEW
This unit focuses on the basics in international folk dancing including the
basic/common folk dance steps and international dance terms.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the unit, I will be able to:
• discuss briefly the different terminologies and basic dance steps in Foreign
Folk Dance
• perform the basic dance terms and dance steps in Foreign Folk Dance

INTRODUCTION

While folk dancing differs all over the world, there are a few and limited fundamental
steps that can be originated in almost every dance and style. Numerous steps are ones you have
likely seen before, though others may look unique and interesting upon first attempt.

Expanding Your Knowledge

SOME INTERNATIONAL DANCE TERMS

The following terminologies are the terms used in foreign/international folk dancing:
Abbreviations used
L – Left
R - Right
UNIT II 2
International Folk Dance Basic Steps and Dance Terms

• ADDRESS PARTNER. Same as honor your partner or bow to your partner.

• ALLEMANDE LEFT. The body turns to the girl at his left and takes her L hand in his L
hand and turns her once around counterclockwise, then both falling back to places.
• ALLEMANDE RIGHT. The boy faces his partner, takes her right hand in his right hand
and turns her once around clockwise, then falling back to places.
• BOW/SALUDO. Partners bow to each other, to opposite dancer or to the audience. This
is of Spanish origin.
• CABECERAS. The couples occupying the width of the dance floor in a square
formation.
• CAST OFF. When dancers are in long formation, the leader of the head couple counter-
marches outward to the end of the line where the last couple was, then counter-march
inward to proper places.
• CIRCLE LEFT AND RIGHT. The designated couples or dancers join hands and walk
to left with light springy steps clockwise and then to the right counter clockwise, falling
to home positions.
• COSTADOS. The couples occupying the length of the dance floor in a square formation.
• CROSS OVER. Two couples are facing each other, each couple proceeds in a straight
line to the opposite place. The girls pass by their L shoulders between the boys. Boys
bow to each other when they meet at the middle or about one-third of the way, then
proceed to the opposite place. Upon reaching the opposite place, partners turn about, girl
stand at partner’s left shoulder.
• DRAW. The free foot is drawn toward the supporting foot, by pressing the toes against
the floor as the close is made, with or without transfer of weight.
• DO-SI-DO. Two people walk towards each other, pass by the right shoulders, step
sideward to the right, and walk backward passing by left shoulders to original position.
• ELBOW SWING. Two dancers link right elbows and swing clockwise with either
springy walking steps or buzz steps.
• HOME POSITION. The couples’ original position in a set
• FOLDED ARMS. Arms raised in front at shoulder level, with one forearm on top of the
other.
• PLACE. To put the foot flat on the floor in any desired position without putting weight
on it.
• PROMENADE. Partners are side by side, L shoulders toward the center holding in a
skating position (R hands joined over the joined L hands) at waist level or in
varsouvienne position, they walk around in a counterclockwise direction until they reach
their home position.
• SET. A unit formation of two or more couples.
UNIT II 3
International Folk Dance Basic Steps and Dance Terms

• STAR RIGHT AND LEFT. Also known as Mill or Wheel Right and Left. Dancers put
their R hands in the center and walk around clockwise, and at the caller’s command, they
turn right about, put the L hands in the center and walk counterclockwise.

SOME COMMON INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE STEPS

The following basic steps are arranged in alphabetical order. It is divided into three groups,
the 24 , the 34 , and the 44 time signature. You will notice that some basic steps are found on
different groups, it is because they can be executed in different time signatures.

Abbreviations used
Ct. – Count
Cts. – Counts
L – Left
R - Right

A. Basic Steps in 𝟐𝟒 time signature

• BLEKING – Count 1, 2 to a measure

Place R heel in front and hop on the L foot (ct. 1), with a spring reverse the position of
the feet, that is L heel is placed in front (ct. 2). This is taking one count for each
movement. Place R heel in front (ct. 1), step R close to L (ct. 2). This is taking two counts
for each movement. – 1M
• BREAK LEGS – Count 1, 2 to a measure
Jump to feet apart sideward (ct. 1), spring to face right (left) and kneel on L (R) (ct. 2) –
1M
• CHASSE - Count 1, and 2, and to a measure
Slide R sideward (ct. 1), step L close to R or cut R with the L (ct. and). Two chasse steps
or two slides in one measure.
• CROSS POLKA
With an inward foot circle in the air of the R (L) foot, hop on L (R) (ct. and of previous
M) and execute the polka step forward crossing the R (L) foot over the L (R) first (cts. 1
and 2). 1M
• GRAPEVINE
Step R (L) foot sideward (ct. 1), cross-step L (R) foot in rear (ct. 2). Step L (R) foot
sideward (ct. 1), cross-step R (L) foot in front (ct. 2). 2M
• HOPSA
Leap sideward R (L) (ct. 1), step L (R) across R (L) (ct. and), close R (L) to L (R) (ct. 2),
pause (ct. and). 1M
UNIT II 4
International Folk Dance Basic Steps and Dance Terms

• HEEL AND TOE POLKA (old)

Place the R (L) heel in front (cts. 1 and), touch the R (L) toe in rear (cts. 2 and), and
execute plain polka forward (cts. 1 and 2 and). This is usually done forward. The polka
may be preceded by a hop. 2M
• HUNGARIAN TURN
Partners place right arms around each other’s waist, arm encircled overhead. Hop on R
(L) (ct. 1), small step on L (ct. and), small step on R (cts. 2 and), and continue to
complete the turn, usually four measures. 1M
• JUMPING JACK
Full-knees bend with knees apart, cross hands down in front (ct. 1), jump to standing
position, with feet apart sideward, toes pointed upward and fling arms obliquely upward,
palms facing front (ct. 2). 1M
• MINCING STEP
A tiny steps and heels slightly raised. Step R foot forward (ct. 1), Step L foot forward (ct.
and), Step R foot forward (ct. 2), Step L foot forward (ct. and). 1M
• OPPOSITE TORTILLIER
Toes together (ct. 1), heels together (ct. 2). 1M
• PARALLEL TORTILLIER
Pivot on heels and turn toes both (ct. 1), pivot on toes and turn heels both (ct. 2). 1M
• POLKA (old Hop Polka)
Hop on R (L) foot (ct. 1), step L (R) foot sideward (ct. 1), Close R (L) foot to L (R) (ct.
and), step L (R) foot sideward (ct. 2). 1M
• RUSSIAN POLKA
Heel-brush R (L) (ct. and), Heel-step R (L) (ct. 1), Close L (R) (ct. 2), step R (L) foot (ct.
and). 1M
• PRYSIADKA
Full-knee bend on R (L) and stretch L ® leg forward (ct. 1), with a spring reverse the
position of the feet (ct. 2). 1M
• ROCKING STEP
Fall on Right foot forward and raise left foot in rear (ct. 1), Fall on Left foor backward
and raise right foot in front (ct. 2). 1M
• RUBBER LEGS
Step L across R in front, and twist R foot so that the sole is off the floor facing outward
(ct. 1), transfer weight to R foot and twist the left foot so that the sole off the floor facing
outward (ct. 2). 1M
• SHUFFLING STEP
Tiny slides on balls of feet. Slide R foot forward (ct. 1), Slide L foot forward (ct. and),
Slide R foot forward (ct. 2), Slide L foot forward (ct. and). 1M
UNIT II 5
International Folk Dance Basic Steps and Dance Terms

B. Basic Steps in 𝟑𝟒 time signature

• ACCENTED RUNNING STEP.

Stamp R (L) foot forward (ct. 1), step L (R) foot forward (ct. 2), step R (L) foot forward
(ct. 3). 1M
• BALLROOM WATZ
Step R (L) foot sideward (ct. 1), Slide L (R) foot sideward (ct. 2), close R (L) foot to L
(R) (ct. 3). 1M
• BLEKING
Place R heel in front (cts. 1, 2), step R close to L (ct. 3). 1M
• BOX SQUARE WALTZ
Boy: Step L foot forward (ct. 1), step R foot sideward (ct. 2), close L to R (ct. 3)
Step R foot backward (ct. 1), step L foot sideward (ct. 2), close R to L (ct. 3). 2M
Girl: Does the counterpart
• CROSS WALTZ
Step R (L) foot across L (R) in front and raise slightly the L (R) across in rear (ct. 1), step
L (R) in third position in rear (ct. 2), step R (L) forward (ct. 3). There is a slight bending
of the knees on ct. 1. Step on the ball of the rear foot on ct. 2. 1M
• DUTCH STEP
Step R (L) foot sideward (ct. 1), brush L (R) heel forward with toes pointing upward (ct.
2), hop on the R (L) in place (ct. 3). 1M
• GRAPEVINE
Step R (L) foot sideward (cts. 1, 2), cross-step L (R) foot in rear (ct. 3). Step L (R) foot
sideward (ct. 1, 2), cross-step R (L) foot in front (ct. 3). 2M
• MAZURKA
This may be done either sideward or forward. Slide R (L) (ct. 1), cur R (L) with L (R) (ct.
2), hop on L (R) (ct. 3). 1M
• MINUET STEP
Three small steps forward on the ball of the feet (cts. 1, 2, 3), point L (R) in front and
bring heel of the R down (cts. 1 2 3). 2M
• OPPOSITE TORTILLIER
Toes together (ct. 1, 2), heels together (ct. 3). 1M
• PARALLEL TORTILLIER
Pivot on heels and turn toes both (ct. 1 , 2), pivot on toes and turn heels both (ct. 3). 1M
• PAS DE BASQUE
Half-foot circle in the air with the L (R) foot and leap sideward (ct. 1), slide R (L) to
fourth position (ct. 2), cut R (L) forward with the L (R) foot (ct. 3). 1M
UNIT II 6
International Folk Dance Basic Steps and Dance Terms

• SHUFFLING STEP
Tiny slides on balls of feet. Slide R foot forward (ct. 1), Slide L foot forward (ct. and),
Slide R foot forward (ct. 2), Slide L foot forward (ct. and), Slide R foot forward (ct. 3),
Slide L foot forward (ct. and). 1M
• VARSOUVIENNE STEP
Slide R foot diagonally forward R (ct. 1), step L close R in third position (ct. 2), step R
sideward (ct. 3), point L foot in front (cts. 1 2 3). 2M
• WALTZ BALANCE
Step R forward (ct. 1), close L to R and raise both heels (ct. 2), both heels down (ct. 3).
1M. This can be done moving backward.

C. Basic Steps in 𝟒𝟒 time signature

• RHEINLANDER STEP or SCHOTTISCHE

Step R foot sideward (ct. 1), close L to R (ct. 2), step R foot sideward (ct. 3), hop on R
and swing the L foot in front (ct. 4). 1M

Reference:
Aquino, Francisca R. FOREIGN FOLK DANCES, Manila, 1967