Clogging
|
What is Clogging?
Clogging is a percussive dance form where the dancers use taps, generally on oxford style shoes, to create a sound. Clogging is a type of dancing of which the three main characteristics are: . loud, fast footwork with steel plates or taps on the shoes; . fairly rigid torso; and . an up and down knee motion (which differs from most other dance forms). |
|
Clogging is continually in a state of change and improvisation by its individual performers, so that today it is performed not only to country and bluegrass music, but to pop, jazz, and rap. Although clogging is performed by each
dancer individually, it is often done as precision dancing by a group of people. The dancers do the same steps at the
same time as cued by a leader using a sound system. All ages from 4 to 94 can and do participate. It is not unusual for
three generations of a family to be clogging together. Not only do they keep fit, but they have a wonderful time.
How did Clogging Originate?
This enjoyable, healthy dance form has been around for hundreds of years. It originated in the Appalachian
Mountains of the U. S. when the early settlers from Holland, Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Africa
combined their dance traditions. They called it buck dancing, flat footing, or just plain dancing. It was usually done to
live fiddle music. Clogging and tap dancing have common roots. Clogging became the country cousin of tap. Tap is
high impact, while clogging is low.
Where did Clogging get its name?
The term clogging comes from the heavy shoes once worn by the working people of Great Britain. In Holland,
Belgium, and France, the dance was done with wooden shoes and today many people still believe that cloggers dance
in wooden shoes. In the English steel mills in the mid 18th century, dancing in wooden clogs was a popular pastime.
Competitions were held, and they danced on cobblestones with the upper body motionless, while the feet and legs
did all the work. Heavy wooden clogs were a hindrance so a switch was made to leather shoes. To compensate for the
loss of sound, copper pennies were nailed to the toe and heel. Present day cloggers use an oxford shoe with a special
double plated steel tap.
What is the difference between Clogging, Step Dancing and Tap Dancing?
Traditional Clogging is a flat foot shuffle unlike any other form of dance and the body motion is down. This is different
from Step and Tap as their motion is up and the dance is done on the balls of the feet with much jumping or hopping.
Step and Clog are similar in their appearance as they both have little upper body movement. However clogging is
generally more relaxed with little requirement for arms. Tap uses the entire body with specific arm and body
movements. The differences between these three dance forms are becoming more difficult to discern. The younger,
more energetic clog dancer does a form of Clog called Buck and this looks very similar to Step and also borrows a lot
of steps from Tap. However, in traditional terms clogging is a down motion with a lazy shuffle (thus low impact) and
step dancing is an up motion with a lot of jumping (thus high impact).
How does the Clogger get started?
Would-be cloggers usually take a beginner course of 8 to 12 week duration. All the basic clog steps are taught, as well
as 5 or 6 actual dances. The beginner starts off slowly, then builds momentum, and at the end of the course is able to
dance at a fairly good pace, which is great cardiovascular exercise, and just plain good fun. Workshops provide an
opportunity to learn new steps and dances and to meet other cloggers from different areas.
What is happening in Present Day Clogging?
Clogging's growing popularity can be seen by the increased numbers attending workshops conventions and recreation
everywhere. In Canada there are numerous clogging clubs from Prince Edward Island to British Columbia. On our web
site, communitydance.org, you will see the clubs listed in Edmonton and surrounding communities. You are welcome
to dance at multiple clubs, to help you learn. Please call the club contact to learn more about starting to dance. They
can answer your questions, and welcome you to our activity. No special clothing is
required. We would love to see you out on the dance floor!
In 2019 the First Canadian National Convention was held in Waterloo, Ontario with
over 1,000 cloggers from around the world in attendance. A second one is being
planned for Calgary, Alberta in October of 2021.
dancer individually, it is often done as precision dancing by a group of people. The dancers do the same steps at the
same time as cued by a leader using a sound system. All ages from 4 to 94 can and do participate. It is not unusual for
three generations of a family to be clogging together. Not only do they keep fit, but they have a wonderful time.
How did Clogging Originate?
This enjoyable, healthy dance form has been around for hundreds of years. It originated in the Appalachian
Mountains of the U. S. when the early settlers from Holland, Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Africa
combined their dance traditions. They called it buck dancing, flat footing, or just plain dancing. It was usually done to
live fiddle music. Clogging and tap dancing have common roots. Clogging became the country cousin of tap. Tap is
high impact, while clogging is low.
Where did Clogging get its name?
The term clogging comes from the heavy shoes once worn by the working people of Great Britain. In Holland,
Belgium, and France, the dance was done with wooden shoes and today many people still believe that cloggers dance
in wooden shoes. In the English steel mills in the mid 18th century, dancing in wooden clogs was a popular pastime.
Competitions were held, and they danced on cobblestones with the upper body motionless, while the feet and legs
did all the work. Heavy wooden clogs were a hindrance so a switch was made to leather shoes. To compensate for the
loss of sound, copper pennies were nailed to the toe and heel. Present day cloggers use an oxford shoe with a special
double plated steel tap.
What is the difference between Clogging, Step Dancing and Tap Dancing?
Traditional Clogging is a flat foot shuffle unlike any other form of dance and the body motion is down. This is different
from Step and Tap as their motion is up and the dance is done on the balls of the feet with much jumping or hopping.
Step and Clog are similar in their appearance as they both have little upper body movement. However clogging is
generally more relaxed with little requirement for arms. Tap uses the entire body with specific arm and body
movements. The differences between these three dance forms are becoming more difficult to discern. The younger,
more energetic clog dancer does a form of Clog called Buck and this looks very similar to Step and also borrows a lot
of steps from Tap. However, in traditional terms clogging is a down motion with a lazy shuffle (thus low impact) and
step dancing is an up motion with a lot of jumping (thus high impact).
How does the Clogger get started?
Would-be cloggers usually take a beginner course of 8 to 12 week duration. All the basic clog steps are taught, as well
as 5 or 6 actual dances. The beginner starts off slowly, then builds momentum, and at the end of the course is able to
dance at a fairly good pace, which is great cardiovascular exercise, and just plain good fun. Workshops provide an
opportunity to learn new steps and dances and to meet other cloggers from different areas.
What is happening in Present Day Clogging?
Clogging's growing popularity can be seen by the increased numbers attending workshops conventions and recreation
everywhere. In Canada there are numerous clogging clubs from Prince Edward Island to British Columbia. On our web
site, communitydance.org, you will see the clubs listed in Edmonton and surrounding communities. You are welcome
to dance at multiple clubs, to help you learn. Please call the club contact to learn more about starting to dance. They
can answer your questions, and welcome you to our activity. No special clothing is
required. We would love to see you out on the dance floor!
In 2019 the First Canadian National Convention was held in Waterloo, Ontario with
over 1,000 cloggers from around the world in attendance. A second one is being
planned for Calgary, Alberta in October of 2021.
|
Clogging Dance Clubs
|
|
|
Contact Us
|
|
