Skipping....

Youtube recommended this video to me yesterday and I just had to post it.

I find it hard enough to play melodeon sitting down...impressed at the dancing and playing.

It must take lots of concentration to skip while stepping.

Anyway...you will now be returned to regular posting. ;)

Clothes maketh a (wo)man...

Clothes maketh a (wo)man...to misquote a saying.
Been thinking a lot about clothes. I think reading a book about outfits through the ages first prompted it.
It kinda recalled to my mind reading here
"Any style may be danced. Clogs must be worn and traditional costume is preferred in all competitions except the Group Section."

So what is traditional costume?

In Essex it seems to be, peroxide blonde, white shoes, short skirt and an unflattering top. ;) Somehow I don't think that's what is meant.

Anyway back to my question for clog, what is the traditional costume, and what is the 'perfect' outfit?

I'm finding baggy trousers don't work...and they cover the shoes and if I'm not careful I step on my own hems.

Purely concerned with outfit...
e.g. Skirt or trousers? How long? Colours/fabrics? What kind of Top? Seperate top and bottoms or a dress? Anything in the hair? Hairstyles?

To quote a quote "of course it's traditional - we did it last year, didn't we?!" ;)

Update 26/7/2011

I know been a bit quiet...been busy practicing.

Actually managed to just keep up with the full speed bit of the First Schottiche video. So had to re record the track fast so I could make a new video at speeded up pace. Bit wobbly in places.

Here is First Scottiche Progression. Which is ...a work in progress...I have a tendency to forget where I am and get all the right steps in the wrong places.

Comments welcome.

...clogs and mills

Yep...I know haven't posted over last few days. Been off on a whistlestop holiday up to Derbyshire.
Why is this relevant you ask?

According to wiki
"It is thought to have developed in the Lancashire cotton mills where wooden-soled clogs were preferred to leather soles because the floors were kept wet to help keep the humidity high, important in cotton spinning.
Workers sitting at the weaving machines wore hard-soled shoes, which they would tap to the rhythms of the machines to keep their feet warm. At their breaks and lunches, they would have competitions, where they were judged on the best rhythm patterns. In later years of the Industrial Revolution,they clog-danced on proper stages at competitions. In these competitions, the judges would watch the routine and judge it according to footwork, precision, and technique."

Well when I was there we looked round some old mills.

Cromford Mill...where saw some spinning....and them the textile museum at Masson Mills.

It was interesting...although bit disappointed didn't get there in time to see the weaving demonstration.


Will be back to practicing tonight.

Update 10/7/2011

So writing again...Thought I'd put up a video of where I am so far. I have been experimenting with trying the same steps to different tunes...but it doesn't work. My brain gets distracted by thinking 'ooh, what's that tune' instead of counting steps. lol!


Here is the first schottiche (progression) as you can see work in progress. Haven't started adding music yet either.

And the second schottiche. Which I'm struggling not to fall off the board with at the moment. I have to try not to move around the board so much (including narrowly near the edge).

They are both still needing practice and are a bit wobbly. Trying to read the steps and do them might be a factor.

progression...

So currently trying 1st Schottiche Progression - Having to stand on board facing the other way so I can hop shuffle and still stay on the board.

Second Schottiche - worked out there's a fine line between stepping off the board and stepping on my toes. lol!

Sat and 'walked through' third schottiche as well.

Update 4/7/2011

Managed to do brief practice. Here is latest updated video. Apologies for my terrible playing.

Ouch - update

Tried again. I think I'll give it another day. Can put weight on left foot but can't 'hop' or 'spring' on Left as ankle hurts too much.
Still 'walked' through steps sitting down though so time wasn't wasted.
Once I figure out what is actually happening at weekend (no one tells me anything) I can see when I might fit in recording another video update.