In the absence of an update....

Haven't had chance to record any updates lately...just too much going on, but in its place thought I'd share another video featuring a clog dance.

Starts at 2.29

On a side note the lady in the video was thinking potential clog outfit?

Funny, the things you notice

I like watching clips from old hollywood musicals. And in my ramble through youtube stumbled upon this little routine.

Check out 1.30 -1.42 and 2.28 - 2.40

Doesn't it look a bit like

from about 3.14 ;)

What do you think?

A quick update for October

Yes folks, I'm still here. Been trying to work out a 'routine' I can remember. lol! So far this is as far as I've got 6 steps. Still not there with the double shuffle. So I've not tried to add it in yet.

And no music this time. I need to re-record a hornpipe enough times through at the right speed.
I had to record this all in one go as I had limited time, hence the little edit at the end. If I'd have had more time I would have re-recorded right from the beginning.

Swiveling ankles and heels

Well I'm running out of imaginative titles. lol! But in lindy hop I did some swivels (mutters to self...prepare, twist twist) anyway it made me think of the double and single heels and how I hadn't practiced them in a while. So here is the video.

You may notice I was trying to be clever with the editing....first zoomed out...then close up of feet.

Hopefully I'll get another video done in the next few days.

July Update - Part 2

So here are a few videos of my latest attempts. I did try to do more but the light got too bad for the camera before I could finish.

Second Schottiche (Progression)

First Schottiche (Progression)

First Schottiche

I did try to do several steps ina row, but kept mession it up as soon as I pressed record.

First Anniversary - a very special 'learning to clog blog' post

Hello, readers new and old!

This is my special surprise to celebrate the first anniversary of my beginning to learn clog dance and blog about it. I simultaneous guest post on my own blog and Susi's 'diddly diddly' blog. First off thanks to Susi for letting me guest post.

The subject up for discussion is Music & Dance....

A broad subject you might say but one which I could wax lyrical about for hours so I will try to keep it concise.

My foray into dance started with a dalliance with playing music which in turn came from listening to music. I wouldn't say I was a dance musician...I wouldn't say I was a good musician, but I enjoy it, which for me is the point. Till I found the concertina and melodeon I never thought I would ever be able to play music (except by putting on a CD of course). But in the squeezebox I've found an instrument that suits *me* and the way I want to play.

Something I found with the box was a sense of rhythm and steady pace. I'm of the opinion I'd rather play a tune well and slowly than fast and badly. And a fast tune is not necessarily more interesting than a slow one. Dance music should make you want to at the least tap your foot...and you can't tap your foot if the music is so fast your foot would wear down to a stump if you tried to keep up. I dislike it when you can't hear the melody breathe.

Dance

Since I've started dancing I've found its rather addictive...and one you try one style of dance it can lead on to other types. You also start seeing dance steps you recognize with different names in different dances.

e.g. Susie Q, reminds me of single and double heels

My first exposure to clog dance proper (not clog morris) would be Cheltenham Folk Festival in 2010. When I saw Hannah James & Sam Sweeney perform. I thought the clog dance looked and sounded impressive.

I can't find footage of that day but here's an example

Then at Oxford Folk Festival 2010 I saw the Demon Barber Roadshow....with an impressive array of dancing which showed me it could be 'contemporary' and not just 'traditional'.

Then that same year I went to the Stepdance Day at Worlingworth Swan and had a go at the 'workshop'. I thought...'hmmmm...this could be for me, but I'd like something more structured' - I've never been good at improvisation.

That was where seeing 'Come Clog Dancing' gave me the final push. I wanted to do clog. It just looked...cool and its a dance I could do solo, didn't have the embarrassment of not having a partner to dance with....and I wouldn't need a great big dance floor, plus it would be something I could do purely for exercise rather than having to dance in a social situation.

First things first. I needed the right equipment. A Board and clogs.  As I wasn't familiar with the clog world I decided to choose Trefor Owen who had featured in the program. And I definitely made the right choice. I love my clogs. So comfortable. Its so nice to have a type of shoe that doesn't rub my ankles or my feet and make them bleed and blister.

Then I looked for tuition. Now where I live is a very long way from the north and not exactly a hub of clog dancing. Nearest place offering regular lessons was Camden, London. Next stop I searched youtube...nothing there. Then I remembered that someone on a forum had mentioned a DVD...which is how I came across Brenda Walker's set of books and DVD's which I've since used for the majority of my learning. With the addition of workshops and an occasional one off lesson from a local dancer.

Its been a year now since I started and am looking forward to another year of dancing.

Want to read more about my experiences learning to dance clog?

Join/Follow me at the learning to clog blog!

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.

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.

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.

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.....

Clog update 10/11/2011

I know, I know...haven't updated in a while. But here you go I have some videos to tide you over. (recorded after a marathon 45min practice session)

I am still working away at the double shuffle. It is doing my head in. I just can't do it consistently fast enough to keep in time with the music. I run out of 'umph' after the first few bars and get out of time and that's with the 'slow' tune.

On another note:
If anyone hasn't spotted it yet there's a show on ITV1 at 4pm called Ade in Britain. Mondays episode featured some clog making and clog dancing. I believe its still available on ITVplayer.

Time for an update (October 2011)

So I have been working on stepping over.

and stepping back.

Also working on double shuffle. I am still struggling to do right amount of steps without the book in front of me.

 This is my attempt of doing six 'steps' all in one go without music or looking at book for reference.

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.

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.

another video

Here's my latest video. I'm going to try and do some more but ran out of time today.

Still not quite getting hang of the double & single heels. Not getting in the groove shall we say...keep getting ahead of myself. And trying to remember where I am with the double shuffle is another thing still working on.
Think I''m gonna have to record music at slower tempo to dance to for that till I stop making mistakes.

Excuses...excuses....

I'm afraid didn't get any practice done this weekend either. :blush:
Was at EATMT Traditional Music Day on the Saturday
http://www.eatmt.org.uk/tmd.htm

Watching the stepdancing and playing in the sessions mainly. Had really nice day. And the Weather was fab.

I will be doing some practice this evening. As managed to get a one off clog lesson locally. So I'll let you know how I get on after that on Wednesday.

Clog related stuff

So yes I was a bit quiet this weekend...because I was at shrewsbury folk festival. But managed to find lots of clog related stuff inbetween trying to see every act I wanted to....so much to see so little time.
One of the highlights of the festival was 'ClogFest' which wasn't really explained in the programme but thought I'd go along anyway and thoroughly enjoyed it.

And here is some clog to some 'diddling' (I think its called). Guarantee you'll be earwormed by it.

Also saw Stony Steppers dance on the village stage.

Some more vids

So here is my latest attempt.
First schottiche progression

Second schottiche progression

....new tunes

This is the extra bit. I tried dancing 2nd Scottiche to tune on DVD used for first schottiche progression.

Steamboat Hornpipe. As you can tell its only third time through I get the hang of the rhythm.