Country: Nordre Sunnmøre, Norway
Type: couple dance
Hold: holding hands at shoulder height
Steps: springar (described below), pols (=L-foot 3-step turn)
Sheet music:springdans etter Gustav Korsnes
frå Tafjord
Recordings:
Syngjaren springdans etter Gustav Korsnes frå Tafjord Folkemusikk frå Møre og Romsdal
track 04, Grappa 2016 [YouTube].
| Sequences | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Note | This is how this dance has been danced in Symra for a number of years. The description is based primarily on tradition as passed on by Kåre Gausnes (who gave a course in Symra) and a description by Egil Bakka (1983). |
| Intro & basic step | The dance consists of a main part (consisting of four elements) and an additional part. The basic step - bytomfotsteg [a variant of two-step] - consists of: both, run, run - or heavy, light, light - both for the male and female (it is similar to the man's step in Vestlandsspringar).On 'both", one foot is a little in front of the other. In all steps, the moving foot passes the weight-bearing foot. In all parts of the dance, movement is briskly forward in the LOD (CCW around the floor). It is an energetic dance. Free hands hang at sides. The dance is short - elements should not be dragged out. |
| Basic pattern | |
| 1 - Forward with basic step | The couple dances with the basic step in LOD, beside each other, W on the right, and holding inside hands at about shoulder level (as in attersteg). The dancers turn slightly towards and away from each other on every second step. Both M and W begin with outside foot (ML/WR). Usually danced about 1 phrase or less. |
| 2 - W turns under the arms | M lifts joined hands to head height as a signal that W can start element 2 when she is ready (as soon as she has left foot free). W turns CW under the arms - two, four or six turns (usually 4 turns). One turn per bar. She starts with L foot crossing over, and dances with L, lift, R (similar to the step in Rørospols). W is slightly diagonally in front of M, who dances with basic step, but a lighter leap onto both. Once W is finished turning, the couple dances forwards in LOD with basic step, with lowered handhold, until the phrase is finished, or a little less. |
| 3 - M under the arms, then W ditto | Count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. M dances CCW under the joined arms on counts 1, 2, and 3 - and W turns under the arms CW on 4, 5, and 6. Both start the turn under the arms on R foot. The step is step, step, step and step, step, step - similar to polkamasurka. M almost completes the turn on counts 1, 2, and 3. He finishes the turn on 4, 5, and 6 while W turns, so that he is ready for the next turn. Smooth transitions. The person turning should be slightly diagonally ahead of his/her partner, and M has the major responsibility for maintaining this. This means that M takes a larger step/hop forwards on count 1, and steps mainly in place on 4, 5 and 6. Dancers may turn as many times as they please - preferably about one phrase of the music. If the phrase is not finished, dance basic steps forwards, with the lower handhold. |
| 4 - couple turn, CCW and CW | M pulls a little on W's hand, as a signal to start the couple turns, beginning with a CCW two-step turn. W begins with a slightly longer step on R foot in front of M, while M almost backs up to make room for his partner. Both dance basic step: both/hop, step, step - similar to a polka with a CCW turn. (On the first bar of the turn, the step is step, step, step for both M and W.) The hop on beat 1 is stronger than in the basic step. Two bars (count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) for one complete turn. Dance only a few turns, 2-4 is enough. Use 1 or 2 beats to finish the CCW turn and get ready for the CW pols turn, ie finish CCW rotations and begin CW rotation. The second couple turn (pols/polska turn) for the M is similar to that in masurka: L, both, R on beats 1, 2, and 3. For W, the turning step is both, R, L. In both CCW and CW turn, use waltz hold. Dance any number of CW turns, can keep dancing until the phrase is finished. |
| Variations | |
| 1 - around each other | After the CW couple turn, the couple takes the basic hand hold and dances the basic step as in part 1, above. After a few steps, they lower the joined hands, M dances in front of W, which changing hands behind his back (WL hand in ML hand). W moves up on the L side of M, and they change hands again (WR in MR hand) right after the first change-over. M continues behind W, forwards on her L side, and in front of W, where they change hands as in the first change-over (WR in ML hand). M continues around, behind W, and up beside her on her L side. W then lifts her free hand, and the couple changes hands again (R in R and L in L). After a couple of steps forward with basic hold and step, they continue with pancake turns. |
| 2 - pancake turn | M turns CW, and W turns CCW. First W turns on one bar of music, followed by M turning on one bar of music, with smooth transitions. M is always on the inside. Finish this additional part and begin again from part 1 of the main part. |
| It is important that there is continuous interaction between the two dancers, not least when M is dancing around W.
It was usual that, to show off, M would turn a backwards summersault, and kick the ceiling timbers, while supporting himself on W's arm. Other variations are described in the pamphlet describing the dance [citation not provided]. |
See YouTube videos : UL. Ivar Aasens folkedansgruppe i Ålesund; Svein Are Vatnehol & Bergitte; Svein Are Vatnehol & Rita Sirirud Strandbakke; Noregs Ungdomslag.
This was one of the combined dances at Nordlek 2018 in Falun.
Sources:
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