For those who love classical literature, music, or theater, names like polonaise, mazurka, polka, and quadrille are surely familiar. Many want to learn how to dance them and sign up for lessons at choreographic schools that teach these dance styles, which were incredibly popular in the 19th century.
Each dance is unique in nature, even if visually similar to another. Below, we will examine the basic movements of the four main historical dances mentioned earlier.
Basic Elements of the Polonaise
- Promenade. Executing this figure, each dancing couple follows the leading couple counterclockwise.
- Column. As the name suggests, in this element couples line up to form a column in the center of the hall.
- Corridor. This figure usually follows the previous one. Its essence is that each couple converges, one after another, and moves to the end of the hall through a "corridor". One couple moves left, the other right, alternately.
- Crossbar. Dancing couples, standing opposite each other in a "column", begin moving towards each other. They let one "column" pass through another.
- Ladies' Solo. This element consists of 8 measures. Initially, couples stand opposite each other, forming two lines. Then the ladies move toward the nearby gentlemen dancing with their partners. This movement ends when two ladies meet face to face. As soon as that happens, the ladies move toward the gentleman opposite them, circling him counterclockwise. After that, the girls return to their partner.
- Lady's Round. In this figure, the gentleman kneels and raises his hand. The girl takes his hand and circles around him 4 times counterclockwise.
Basic Elements of the Mazurka
- Jump Step. This element resembles a small hop from stone to stone or from one plank to another. When performing the jump, the back leg is pulled up, and the back is straightened.
- Basic Mazurka Step. The working leg goes forward or to the side on count "one". On count "two", the heel of the working leg is struck by the heel of the supporting leg. The working leg "throws" to the side or forward, remaining in the air. On count "three", an elegant jump on the supporting leg is performed, while the working leg, which is in front, is pulled to the supporting leg in the air.
- Heel Strikes. This element imitates hitting heel against heel.
- Key Step. In the first measure, do the following: on count "one", the left foot makes a long sliding step to the left; on count "two", place the right foot in first position; on count "three", turn the feet toes inward, and heels outward. In the second measure, on count "one", place the feet in first position, while the dancer strikes heels together. On counts "two" and "three" — pause.
Basic Elements of the Polka
- Step with Hop. On the first two quarter beats, the dancer rises to the balls of the feet, and on the "and" of the upbeat, slightly squats. On count "one", sharply straightens the knees and rises to the balls of the feet. On count "two", softly squats, relaxing the knees.
- Stepping. On the "and" of the upbeat, the right leg bends, and the left rises to the balls of the feet. On count "one", the right foot takes a step in place. On count "and", the left foot takes a step in place. On count "two", again the right, on "and", the left foot lowers. This movement can be performed from either the left or right foot.
Basic Elements of the Quadrille
- Introduction. In this figure, the gentleman gets acquainted with the lady. Partners stand facing each other: the girl on the right from the viewer's perspective, the guy on the left. The couple begins moving to the center of the hall, greets each other with the right hand, performs several rotations, taking each step from the heel, then does a triple stamp and separates.
- Walk. Couples move in a circle, alternating 4 steps with triple stamps. After completing the circle, dancers return to their starting place. Then they perform rotations on the spot, raise their hands up and join them.
- Brook. This figure follows the "walk" when the next dancing couples pass under the arms of one couple.
- Round. The lady and gentleman take steps in a square, but they are not face to face. Only at the end of the round they will look at each other and take hands.
- Spring. After performing springy movements, the lady and gentleman take steps toward each other, slightly bending their knees.
- Change. In this element, the girl passes by the guy, heading to another partner. The partner does the same, approaching the neighboring lady. As soon as the lady meets her original gentleman, the dance ends.
Overall, the basic movements of historical dances are not particularly difficult if performed clearly and at a slow tempo. Fast tempo can be developed with practice by mastering the correct technique of each individual element.
