Clogging is largely associated with foot-stomping, and is
one of the shoots of Folk dancing. Musical synchronization of sounds with
dancer’s feet is a key element of clogging. In the beginning, bluegrass was the
popular music for clogging that went smoothly with all the foot shuffling,
stomping, and tapping. But today’s pacey lifestyle have settled for an even
pacier form of clogging with teenagers in particular getting more precise with
their moves.
No matter what people
say, it is a precise dance form
Elementally, it involves a double-toe tap done with one of the wooden clog. It is started with the left foot by breezing the left toe to
and fro, making a continuous ‘tap-tap’ sound. Immediately following that the
same sound is made with balls of the left foot, and again stepping onto the
balls of right foot, thus repeating the movement again and again. All in all, the basic step must be remembered,
left-toe-tap-forward, left-toe-tap-backward, left-step-ball, right-step-ball,
left-step-ball.
Once the Dancers master of art of not putting too much
weight on the feet while doing the steps, they can easily shift to trying out
their own variations. With a better body balance and flexibility of knees, one
can even go for a longer freestyle routines too. The best part is its
versatility which allows to perform it solo, with a partner, or in a
troupe.
It must be noted that the initial double-toe tap can also be
done with heels, being followed in certain parts of the country. The basic flow
of movements remain the same, with a slight difference of replacing the toe-tap
with heel tap. As heel-tap-forward, toe-tap-backward, step-ball, step-ball,
step-ball and so forth.
It can be done almost
anywhere
It will be fair to say that the contemporary form of
clogging is pretty much location independent. It can be performed anywhere, out
in the country, villages, cities, or towns. But when it comes to the surface,
it should be fairly hard. The modern clogging is very organized and is done
mostly within local groups under the guidance of certified instructors.
For the purpose of practice and rehearsals, schools,
gymnasiums, churches, civic centers, ballrooms, and even garages are
effectively utilized by the local groups. Membership includes all ages and
types, both adults and youngsters. The members of the groups are no spring
chickens, but have reasonable experience at a competitive level too, as
regularly participate in regional clogging events.
