ÿþ<html> <head> <title>Blackmore Morris Men: Watching</title> <link rel="stylesheet" type ="text/css" href="style.css"/> <head> <body> <div align=center> <h1>Blackmore Morris Men: The Art of Watching</h1> <table border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="2"><tr> <td> <a href="index.htm">Introducing Blackmore Morris</a> </td> <td> <a href="pastnfuture.htm">The Past and Future of Morris Dancing</a> </td> <td> <a href="wheretosee.htm">Where to see Blackmore Morris</a> </td> <td> <a href="photos.htm">Photo Gallery</a> </td> </tr></table> </div> <h2>The art of watching morris dancing </h2> <!-- Start text and other page content here --> <p> The first time you see them, you might think there are only two morris dances - the stick one and the hanky one. Then you realise that the tunes are all different. Gradually other differences emerge. Here are some other things to look out for that will make watching more enjoyable. This page should be called "more than you ever wanted to know..." <p> <h3> Which tradition?</h3><p> The general style that Blackmore dance is called Costwold, because that is the part of the country where most of the dances were noted down during the rediscovery of morris in the nineteenth century. (You may also come across North West (in clogs) or border (blacked faces and tatter coats, lots of whoops) or Molly (once a year in January). <p> Cotswold is rich in the range of steps and figures that are used. Each village developed its own style and structure of the dances. Details such as the way hankies are waved, or the steps and figures varies, even where the dance has the same name and a similar tune. <h3> How many dancers?</h3> Most dances have 6, but those from Adderbury and Lichfield are designed for 8 (4 pairs). The other half of a pair is called on "opposite" (partner). Sometimes you will see a one man dance or <em>jig </em>. <h3> Single or double stepping? </h3> Blackmore dance the Bampton tradition using single stepping, (one hop two hop), others mainly double stepping (one two three hop). <h3> Chorus or figure? </h3> Typically a morris dance is like a song. The verses correspond to the <em>figures</em> (which vary through the dance) interspersed with a <em>chorus</em> which is repeated. However the music is different for the two parts of the dance - the 'A' music for the figure and the 'B' music for the chorus (but see "slows" below.) <h3> Standard, column, or corner?</h3> With standard dances everyone is dancing at the same time doing much the same thing. With column dancers the two at the front do a figure, then the next pair try to copy the first two then the third pair. This is usually followed by a <em>hey </em> (see below) as the chorus. Corner dances work a bit like the column dances but the sequence is: first diagonal, second diagonal, then the middle pair. Sometimes the second pair do not know what they will be called on to do till they see the first pair, but this is entirely their own fault as they should have been paying attention in the winter (practice) season. Of course this never happens with Blackmore or other Essex sides. <p> <h3> The hey </h3> Most dances are punctuated by a <em>hey</em>. Typically each column of three weaves in and out making a figure eight or "heyt" or "hey". The men in the middle have to decide whether to start off going "up" (towards the music) or "down". (There is a right way and a wrong way.) <p> In most heys the left and right column movements are supposed to be mirror images. In the Adderbury tradition left and right are parallel. In the Lichfield tradition the hey involves a lot more criss-crossing, with lots of chances for collisions and falling over. Of course Blackmore never collide or fall over. In the Upton on Severn stick dance there is a very nice "hey on the end" which is not done in columns. Look out for it. <h3> Other figures and chorus moves </h3> The <em>round</em>. Dancing round in a circle, then going back again. For some this symbolises the wonderful pointlessness of morris. <p> The <em>half gyp</em> or <em>half hands</em>. Dancing across the set right shoulder to right shoulder with opposite, then backwards into place. Then the same with left shoulders. <p> <h3> Other steps </h3> Apart from single stepping and double stepping there are lots more including: Galleys (one knee in the air, thigh horizontal, foot below knee describing a circle.) Hook legs (like galley but foot moves backward and forwards.) Galleys and hooks are often combined with turning round.<p> Capers (kind of forward kick). Capers come in plain, spring and other varieties.<p> Slows. This when the music slows down (the 'C' music) and the pairs (or corners) do extraordinary feats of agility in turns, such as: fore capers (beetle crushers) upright capers, right toe back, star jumps, to name a few. <p> <h3> Different styles </h3> <p>Once you know these basics, you will realise that no two dances are the same. Individual performers vary. Some are more athletic and some are more graceful. Different teams (<em>sides</em>) interpret or develop the traditions differently. Some sides emphasise doing the steps precisely and keeping straight lines, etc., others with other aspects of the dance such as its humour or energy. Sides vary day to day and year to year. A good audience puts a side on its mettle and draws out a better performance and higher leaps. <p> <h3> The music</h3> <p> Blackmore has always been blessed with good musicians, which not only makes listening a pleasure, but can have a big effect on the dancing. Not only has the tempo and emphasis to be right, but the musicians have to watch the dance and adjust to the way it is being danced. Sensitive musicians can lift the dance and make the dancers perform and look better. <p> <a href="watching.htm">Top</a></p> <p> <a href="index.htm">Blackmore Morris Home</a> </p><p> <a href="pastnfuture.htm">Morris Dancing: Past and Future</a> </p><p> <a href="wheretosee.htm">Where to see Blackmore Morris</a> </p><p> <a href="photos.htm">Photo Gallery</a> </p> <p><a href="copyrightnotice.htm">Copyright and conditions of use</a> </p> </body> </html>