Types of Russian folk dances

The most ancient and rich form of art is dance. Russian folk dance is closely connected with the history of the Russian people, with their traditions, beliefs and customs. Russian folk dance reveals the spiritual life of our people and their way of life. Through dance, people convey their feelings, thoughts and mood.

The classification of Russian folk dances occurs according to their stable characteristics and choreographic structure. Based on the combination of these signs, we can guess what type of dance it belongs to. All types of Russian folk dances are divided into two categories: round dance and dance, and they, in turn, distinguish several more types.

Types of Russian folk dances: round dance

One of the most basic and ancient types of Russian folk dance. The circular composition of the round dance is similar to the sun, whose god was worshiped by the Slavs in the old days.

In a round dance, dance, song and game are inextricably linked. It gathers and unites a large number of participants. Round dance belongs to Russian everyday dances; it has its own forms and rules of execution. Usually its participants hold hands, or a scarf, belt or wreath, and at the same time perform a round dance song together.

Round dance is divided into two types – ornamental and game.

Ornamental round dances.

A distinctive feature of an ornamental round dance is the movement of its participants to songs that do not have a clearly defined plot, and which are just musical accompaniment. Participants in such a round dance can move not only in a circle, but also in a snake, figure eight, column, use various transitions and formations, while building beautiful and clear patterns, or as they are also called, round dance figures.

The song chosen for the ornamental round dance often reflects images of Russian nature, the collective work of the people and their way of life.

Game round dances.

If the song presents characters, a specific action and a game plot, then its content is played out by the round dance performers with the help of gestures, facial expressions and dancing, embodying various images and characters, songs. This kind of round dance is called a play dance.

In game round dances, household items are often used, such as a scarf, wreath, ribbon, stool and many others. Drawings of game round dances are simpler than ornamental ones. Most often, round dances move in a circle, in lines or in pairs.

Types of Russian folk dances: dance

Now the most common type of Russian folk dance is dance. Russian dances include round dances, play dances, improvised dances and dances performed with a certain sequence of figures.

Every movement in the dance is not without meaning. Men’s dances are distinguished by their breadth, strength and scope, as well as attention to the partner. Women’s dances are characterized by smoothness, sincerity and grace, as well as emotions and enthusiasm.

Dances are performed not only to songs, but also to instrumental accompaniment.

Single dance.

They are performed by both women and men, showing all their skill and ingenuity. The performer conveys all his feelings and emotions through dance and embodies the images.

Pair dance.

Most often, a couple’s dance is performed by a young girl and a guy. Its content is like a dialogue between lovers. Sometimes these are wedding dances, and sometimes it is a lyrical performance, reflecting love, jealousy and slight resentment. There are a lot of feelings and a storm of emotions in this dance.

Danced around.

This is a competition between dancers in dexterity, strength and ingenuity. Each dancer shows their individuality. Previously, only boys took part in the dance, but now girls also take part. Most often, the re-dance is performed to well-known melodies and songs. Nowadays, competition between entire groups of dancers has also become fashionable, when several people dance on one side of the stage and several on the other, but at the same time the tasks of re-dancing remain the same.

Mass dance.

There are no restrictions here, either in the number of participants or in their age. A mass dance can involve either two people, one against the other, or three or four participants dancing against each other. The main task in mass dance is to dance better than the participant standing next to you. The performer has the right to dance with any participant in the dance, gradually moving from one to another.

Group dance.

In a group dance, the composition is limited to a separate group of performers, both large and small. Such dances have a certain structure. Group dances are very rich in drawings and figures, as well as in their content and plot.

Quadrille is another type of Russian folk dance.

Quadrille is distinguished from traditional dances by its unique structure and clear division into pairs and figures. Quadrille takes its roots from French salon dance. Russian square dance included many figures and designs from Russian round dances and dances. Only an even number of couples take part in quadrille, but their number is not limited.

Often in square dances ditties are performed, either by all performers at the same time, or in turn, passing the baton from one to another. In quadrille, each figure is separated from one another, as a rule, by musical pauses, footsteps, claps or bows.