Slip jig

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The slip jig is one the four most common Irish Step dances - the others being the reel, the jig and the hornpipe. It is 9/8 time, dance in soft shoes typically by women only, though you will also find many male dancers who know slip jigs. In fact, nowadays, male dancers compete alongside female dancers in slip jigs.

This dance is counted “and one two-three four-five, and two two-three four-five,” or "one and one two three, two and one two three" and so forth. This dance is graceful and controlled, often called the “ballet” of Irish dance.

Because of the unique timing, the slip jig is longer than the reel. The Oireachtas, or championship competition speed, however, is the same controlled tempo--113 beats per minute.

Unlike the reel and single jig, the slip jig is graceful, hence the name. Judges prefer sliding motions with the feet, and graceful movements that seem to slip across the floor.

While most dancers think a dance to 9/8 time is unique to Ireland, this is not true; there is also the Scottish Lilt in Highland dancing and the karsilama of Turkish dance.

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