Dancing Dolls at traditional music day

I know you might be thinking....what's that title to do with learning clog dancing. Well its to do with music and dance and I think quite relevent. I have recently purchased a 'jig doll'.

'She' is a 1920's 'flapper' called millie. 

I took her on an outing to EATMT Traditional Music Day. She got a lot of attention.

I even managed to get a video...or two. I'm not in either of them as I was filming...but she's a freindly jig doll who'll dance for anyone.

She misbehaved a little and took a stage dive. lol!

 

Hope you've enjoyed my little wander off on a tangent.

Just pick yourself up....

And in a change to your usual programming.....

I was watching another Fred & Ginger movie...and this song I think summed up my approach to dance. lol!

"Just pick yourself up....dust yourself off...and start all over again...."

(He) Please teacher, teach me something, Nice teacher, teach me something. I'm as awkward as a camel, that's not the worst, My two feet haven't met yet, But I'll be teacher's pet yet, 'Cause I'm gonna learn to dance or burst. (She) Nothing's impossible I have found, For when my chin is on the ground, I pick myself up, Dust myself off, Start All over again. Don't lose your confidence if you slip, Be grateful for a pleasant trip, And pick yourself up, Dust yourself off, Start all over again. Work like a soul inspired, Till the battle of the day is won. You may be sick and tired, But you'll be a man, my son! Will you remember the famous men, Who had to fall to rise again? So take a deep breath, Pick yourself up, Dust yourself off, Start all over again. (He) I'll get some self assurance If your endurance is great. I'll learn by easy stages If you're courageous and wait. To feel the strength I want to, I must hang on to your hand, Maybe by the time I'm fifty I'll get up and do a nifty. (Both) Nothing's impossible I have found, For when my chin is on the ground, I pick myself up, Dust myself off, Start all over again. Don't lose your confidence if you slip, Be grateful for a pleasant trip, And pick yourself up, Dust yourself off, Start all over again. Work like a soul inspired, Till the battle of the day is won. You may be sick and tired, But you'll be a man, my son! Will you remember the famous men, Who had to fall to rise again? So take a deep breath, Pick yourself up, Dust yourself off, Start all over again.

followed by this fab sequence



I will now return to my normal posts ;)

May 2012 - Update

I know I've been a little remiss with my posting over the year so far. But I don't want to be boreing you with repetitive posts. Hence why I try to focus on trying to get one post done a month with a little summary of what I've been up to. 

Lets start with music...as since the workshop I've been trying my hand at waltz clog dance I've been trying to find a waltz I can play competantly (ideally in key of G) that 'fits' and isn't boring. This is proving to be quite tricky.

In other news next month will be the first anniversary of my starting to learn clog. So I shall have to think up something clever to post to commemorate the event.

Today I decided to do a few videos. 

Firstly went over some of the steps I struggled with when I started...

First Schottiche Progression

Second Schottiche Progression

I also had a go at a step I've not tried until now. Umpas.

That will leave just the twizzles I haven't had a go at in the beginner section yet.

Clog dance workshop

So today I got up at dawn to travel to Cecil Sharp House in Camden....to go to a workshop.

A photo from the showcase (nope I'm not in the picture)

Now I was hopping between choosing Beginner (waltz) and Improver right up to the last moment. But went for beginner, which I think was the best choice and will prabably do improver next time. Unfortunately my alarm didn't go off - so I didn't have time for breakfast and arrived late but managed to catch up.

Took me a bit of time to get used to the waltz rythum but managed it in the end. Brain did stop working for a while...had to kick it into gear one last time for the showcase...eeeep! I didn't fall over doing the jump clicking heels together as I feared I might. Phew!

I think my legs and feet have now stopped working...it was great fun but ever so tiring.

Video of the last dance...pat tracys A routine(?)

Been working on the waltz at home as you can see been making annotations on the notation.

I'm getting the highlighter pen out next....lol! That'll be same colours for identical sections repeated. Yep I really do need to colourcode steps. Its the way me brain remembers it.

You should see my copy of Brenda Walkers Clog dancing book...I've got doodles and notes all over it. lol! And instructions like LEFT or RIGHT written really big as prompts to get me to start on the correct foot.

My first public clog dance...

Sooooooo...last night had my first ever 'public' performance dancing clog. Eeep! Scary! It was at the local session. A friend had very kindly offered to play for me.

I wonder if I should have started slower to take into account of how sluggish my brain is when I'm nervous.

Got through the first 2 'steps' fine at the end of the third one I nearly lost my balance (didn't fall off the board or stop but it threw me a bit). So as I started the double heels my inner monologue went something like.

You've done too many double heels...you were supposed to do a single heel...not now....now you can't fit in the break...here comes 'B' part of the tune...try again....messed it up again because on wrong foot...do something...the end is getting closer...improvise...I know you don't improvise but do something.....step, shuffle JUMP!

I landed only 'just' on the board.

No one commented that I made a mistake and I got a round of applause...so hopefully no one noticed I messed up.

Keeping you updated - March

I feel like I should do a March update. Firstly I'm almost getting the hang of the basic break dropping heels. But still at slow pace...need to speed up gradually.
I'm also going to be dancing a short spot at session this month. Bit scary....but have been practicing the clog 'routine' and it uses all the steps I'm most confident with... No double shuffle!!!!

and on another note....
I have to admit...I have tried to do some charleston steps in my clogs. Makes swiveling my ankles easier coz the clogs slip and slide unlike my trainers. I really need to get some proper dance shoes, its doing my knees in.....I keep recognizing elements that remind me of clog steps in the charleston and lindy stuff.

What Level Am I? Workshop Dilemma...

What level am I?
Yes. I'm playing that game again. I do it with every workshop whether it be music, dance etc. 

I just find it impossible to judge my level of competency and thus pick the correct class. I can spend weeks hopping from one thing to another trying to list the pros and cons of each. Or guessing what skills might be needed and if I could get away with doing something a little tricky or to go for something easy.
I wish workshops would just 'audition' you and stick you in the right class. I can't rely on myself not to be biased for or against my skills.

There's a clog workshop day at cecil sharp house in April that I'd like to go to. 

I just can't decide which class to chose. I've never been before so don't know what to expect.
http://www.camdenclog.org.uk/
So...What level am I?

Update February 2012 - jumps and heels

So here it goes a little update. I've been working on the basic break dropping heels. Its so much easier when I just do stright shuffle instead of trying to do rounded shuffle.

Also been working on double & single heels with 'jump'. I didn't realize right foot had to land directly infront of left foot and vice versa till I watched the video. And suddenly it made sense. Now just got to do it without loosing balance. lol!

Last off a little video I made. Been learning to play the melodeon.net tune of the month 'Rabbit Stew' and decided to record and dance to it. Hope you like it.

So you know how I said...

So you know how I said I hadn't seen any clog dancing on got to dance...well I was watching 'auditions uncut' and what do a spy but 2 clog dancers.
They got 2 gold stars....which I think means on the shortlist...but can't find them listed on the website as live semi finalist. :(
Edit: Found a video. One of my fave tunes.


I have still been practicing my dancing..it just I don't want to bore you with the same posts over and over. And am saving updates for 'progress' or any particular area of 'difficulty' rather than just posting every day 'still practicing'.

and finally...
I'm also learning swing jive....loving the charleston and lindy hop elements of it. If it hadn't been for clog dancing I don't think I'd of had the confidence or fitness to try any other kind of dance.

Dropping heels....etc.

So here are some more videos. Firstly the break dropping heels. I think I got it right. Just need to be able to as automaticaly as the other basic break I usually do.

And here is Third Schottiche....which I realized I'd only done one video of before.

Still here....practice and watching dance shows on tv

Still practicing. Just running through the steps.
Trying to memorize the steps so I don't have to keep having sneaky peek at the book to remind myself.
Also tried doing basic break dropping the heels.

On side note was watching 'got to dance' the other day. Haven't spotted any clog dancers yet. :(
But this group of dancers were amazing

Update 29/12/2011

As promised here is my latest update. Been working on the shuffles and stepping back/over sections.
I've done some of the video from different angles to show that I'm on my toes/doing the heel beats etc.

 

Firstly here we have another attempt at my nemisis the Double Shuffle.

  

Then the Single & Triple Shuffles - not sure if I'm doing them quite right.

Then Stepping Back (without heel beat).

And Stepping Back. (start vid at 0.30)

Stepping Over.

 

Stepping Over & Stepping Back

Next time I will be trying with music.....

Swishy skirt....dance

So I've been making dress from a retro 1950's pattern. I love the swishy circle skirt part. Was thinking it would make a great skirt for dancing in.
Question is plain colour or pretty print?

Stepping over...

Still struggling with double shuffle, can do it slowly on my own and with slow bit on DVD. But once I try it with music I seem to lose timing with it.

On another note had a go at doing 'stepping over'. Managed to do it very slowly. Getting used to the Tap Step 'step' and judging how much space I have on the board to dance it.

update 10/10/2011

Had a go dancing to this tune.
Apologies probably spelt the name wrong.

Micky Callahans by Ladydetemps

Will have to do another video soon.

----

Been watching all the videos on youtube from clogfest 2011. Find them quite inspirational. Wish I could go to it.
Here's one of my favorites.

Double & Single heels - new video

Ok. I think I have got it. (and my playing is getting steadier too but that's another matter).

Really pleased. :)

Now just Double Shuffle left to master.

atishoo!

It seems cold and clog don't mix...well I suppose I can time a shuffle with a sneeze. lol!
So having a little break from it for a few days.

Double and single heels...woo.

Woo!
Managed to do double & single heels at faster speed. Then paused DVD and tried it twice and it still worked. I found it easier to find the groove when I went faster than going slower. Weird huh?
Next step: practice till I can do it to different hornpipe.

Mirror, Mirror...

Mirror, Mirror on the wall who does the roundest shuffles of the all.....

I can't believe I had never thought of this before. Balancing mirror up against the wardrobe so I can see my footwork without leaning over and loosing my balance.
p.s. excuse the mess.

Double, Double toil and trouble...

These are the two steps I'm struggling with....

Double & Single Heels

Start this video from 0.17 I 'cut' the video in the wrong place so you get my mess up at the beginning.

Double Shuffle


I just can't get into the double shuffle after a break....the rhythm just goes potty.


btw. 'Music to Clog to' arrived yesterday. :) Will have to test it out this evening.