Toss the Feathers- Irish set Dancing [Paperback]

Pat Murphy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 1996 | ISBN-10: 1856351157 | ISBN-13: 978-1856351157

This is the most comprehensive paperback ever published on set dancing. It contains sixty-one complete set dances, including all those danced commonly in class, summer schools at feiseanna. These are laid out in conventional set terminology and can be easily followed by teachers, pupils and anyone who has an acquaintance with the art of set dancing. The book is also unique in containing the first concise history of the development of set dancing in Ireland from it's eighteenth century European origins.

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Irish American / Mercier (January 31, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1856351157
• ISBN-13: 978-1856351157
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #768,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Toss the Feathers: Bible of Set Dancers, December 13, 1999

By 

Alicia Guinn (Carbondale, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toss the Feathers- Irish set Dancing (Paperback)

_Toss the Feathers_ is the definitive book on Irish set dancing. I bought a copy in Galway City, and it has saved me innumerable times. I carry it with me to all classes and ceilis; it's well-worn and well-loved. Besides the most common sets, Pat gives us notes for beautiful and obscure local dances. His introduction also includes an illuminating history of set dancing. Beware: you will not teach yourself to dance from this book if you have no prior knowledge of set dancing. However, it is ideal for supplementing your knowledge from classes. When two set dancers disagree on the "correct" version of a set, one inevitably pulls out a copy of Pat's book, and his judgement is trusted. All of us set dancing addicts are awaiting the upcoming sequel. Buy it now! You'll never regret this useful reference on bad days when you can't even remember how the Ballyvourney Jig Set begins.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars _Toss the Feathers_ a very useful resource, January 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Toss the Feathers- Irish set Dancing (Paperback)

Pat Murphy's _Toss the Feathers_ is the most useful guide to set dancing I have come across. During my nine months dancing in Northern Ireland, _Toss the Feathers_ was the book that my teachers used to check for technicalities, and the book I used to brush up on my steps on my way to ceilis. I heartily recommend this book to people who know about set dancing, and want to check their steps or sets. However, I do not recommend this book to newcomers, because Murphy's language is overly technical. For example, to turn someone under your arm, you have to rotate them in a counterclockwise manner until they reach 360 degrees, etc. :) I'm exaggerating. But this book is a definite must-have for those who love set dancing, especially when they're away from Ireland. Like me. Cheers go to Pat Murphy.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect book for those who set dance!, September 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Toss the Feathers- Irish set Dancing (Paperback)

This book is great for anyone who set dances but hasn't yet memorized all of the moves (-most of us?!). Not intended for people who have never set danced before. You need to be familiar with the jargon, such as "round the house", "ladies chain", etc.