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!

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.

Skirt to clog dance in...

 I was making a dress originally, but I found imperfections in the fabric I had cut the skirt from...so instead of throwing it way I worked with what I had. Put a pocket in to cover up the inperfections.

 And then embroidered the pocket with a 'clog' motif.

Now worn with an underskirt makes a perfect dancing skirt. It has swirly properties without being too sticky-out-y.

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.

Clog & Tap?

Off on a slight tangent...
Totally fallen for this dance sequence...and the music is such an earworm.
Its from a film called 'you never were lovelier' (I went out and bought the DVD...the plots not bad...with some funny dialogue. I actually stumbled upon it trying to look up what the move 'shorty george' was. lol!



At about 1.08 is that a bit like stepping back/over?
I stumbled upon this quote "It is in fact noted that Fred Astaire was taught to dance by a traditional clog dancer." which made me look at Fred Astaire's dancing again.

So wondering a bit about the connection between tap and clog...are the steps quite similar?

Shuffle's and jumps...

Single & triple shuffles.
For some reason I can do the steps but they aren't in time to the music...I'm fine when I have the DVD on to follow...but take that away put on the music and it all goes pear shaped.
I've tried saying the steps..I've tried counting out loud as I do them. Grrr!
 It looks fine without the music but with it I feel like I'm constantly trying to keep up.

The video of me above is first without music, then with music [me playing then using the cd track].
Am I doing it wrong?

Next is single heels & single jump...

I did fumble it at the end. I realize I'd got wrong foot in front and it slightly threw me. Actually I keep doing that find right foot in front of left easier than the other way round...and I have jumped onto my toe a couple of times...ouchy. Should I be getting that much 'hang time' in the air? Or should the jumps be more subtle?