HOLDING
Arms extended to the sides, hands placed on the shoulder of the dancers on the left and right.
RHYTHM
INTRODUCTION (Siganos = Slow)
It has 6 steps and the 2/4 bar is repeated 3 times. All steps are equal, each one counting as ΒΌ.
BASIC STEPS
There are 10 basic steps and the 2/4 bar is repeated 4 times. Steps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 count as 1/4 each. Steps 6 to 9 are faster and count as 1/8 each.
STEP ANALYSIS
Introduction (Siganos)
In (1) the right foot (r.f.) steps bouncing in the direction of the dance (which is anticlockwise, i.e.step to the right).
In (2) the left foot (l.f.) crosses over r.f. and steps bouncing in the direction of the circle.
In (3) r.f. steps bouncing in the direction of the circle (away from the left foot).
In (4) l.f. crosses over r.f and touches the ground with the heel (the weight is on the right).
In (5) l.f. steps bouncing in the opposite direction than the circle (i.e. to the left, away from the right foot).
In (6) r.f crosses over l.f. and touches the ground with the heel (weight is on the left foot).
STEPS
Step (1): Jump on the r.f. in the direction of the circle and step on the toes while the left leg is lifted (slightly to the back, heels high) bent on the knee.
In (2) the r.f. jumps (bounces) on the spot while the l.f. comes stretched forward (low, close to the ground).
In (3) the left foot which was stretched in front jumps and steps back on the toes, next to the right foot, while the right leg is lifted (slightly to the back, heels high) bent on the knee.
In (4) the l.f. jumps on the spot while the r.f stretches forward (low above the ground).
Step (5) – (β€psalidiβ€ = scissors): The r.f. (which was stretched in the front) jumps and steps in the direction of the circle, away from the l.f., while the l.f. crosses over r.f almost stretched and very low, close to the ground.
In (6) the l.f. (which is crossed in front) steps on the toes with a little jump, opposite to the direction of the circle (fast move).
In (7) the r.f. steps on the toes next to the l.f., in the direction of the dance, while the l.f is lifted from the ground (fast move).
In (8) the l.f. steps on the toes in its position in the back while the r.f. is lifted from the ground (fast move).
In (9) the r.f. (which is lifted at the front) steps on the toes towards the direction of the dance and slightly inwards while the l.f. is lifted from the ground, slightly bent, next to the r.f. (fast move, small step).
In (10) the l.f. (which is lifted) steps on the toes in the direction of the dance and slightly behind the heel of the r.f., while the right foot, slightly bent, is lifted from the ground to the front (fast move, small step).
Comments:
a) The Introduction ('siganos' meaning 'slow') can also be danced with 8 steps (4 towards the center the circle and slightly rightwards, and 4 towards the back)
b) From 1 to 5 the movements are continuous. From step 6 to step 10, the movements are also continuous, but this time very quick, whith the legs steping one at a time(i.e. left 6, right 7, left 8, right 9, left 10)
c) For the steps 1,2,3,4 the movements are performed from the knees downwards, while the torso is straight.
d) After step 10, and before repeating the basic steps, there is a short pause.
