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Toe
Tap |
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Heel Taps |
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Clogging
is an art form and very much a part of our heritage!
It
began in the Appalachian Mountains brought to America by Irish,
Scottish, English, and Dutch Germans who settled there in the mid 1700s.
Our Native Americans, African Americans, as well as today's Canadian, tap,
and jazz dances have also had their influence.
The word "clog" means "time" in Gaelic. Clogging is
danced keeping time with the downbeat. The basic difference between
clogging and tap dancing is the clogger's heels keep time with the
downbeat of the music and the type of shoe worn is slightly different. Many people think clogging is a
dance performed in wooden shoes but the reality is most cloggers wear
taps. Tap shoes have
a single tap attached to the toe and heel. Clogging taps have an
additional tap riveted on top of the single tap. These are called "double
taps" and make more of a "jingle" sound. (The pictures to
the side give you a general idea of the the shoes and
taps worn today. Click on the images for a larger view).
Depending upon the
dance style and origin, the clogger may sport different dance shoe types or dance in a somewhat different
form but they all keep time to the music with their feet. For example, English dancers wear wooden-soled
shoes
with leather uppers. Irish dancers wear leather-soled shoes sporting fiberglass tips and hollow heels.
Clogging is one of the few dances considered a sport. Individuals form teams and
compete in area, state, and national events. Within the "clogging"
terminology there are many variations to the standard clogging style.
Steps are done
on the balls and heals of the feet following the melody in Buck Dancing. Canadian Step
Dancing has
no drag-slide motion, but instead has a continual up and down hopping
motion. Irish Step Dancing differs greatly from other clogging forms. Instead of the feet
being side by side they are placed one in front of the other, toes
turned out as in 5th position (ballet). Unique foot and ankle movements add to
the beauty of this style.*
This
is just a brief synopsis of clogging. If you are interested in learning
more about this fun form of dance, please
check out our links page or
and we would
be glad to tell you more!
*This well-written explanation
and history of clogging was discovered while surfing the web some time ago. Unfortunately, the author and site were not documented when it was
originally found. If you happen to know who
wrote it or come across it again while surfing, please let us know so we can give credit where due.
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Taps Installed |
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That Famous
Clogging Shoe! |
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