Originality: 40 Years of Clogs and a Drum Book

The previous three booklets were produced in order to assist the beginner and reduce the time spent taking notes during workshops. This book replaces and expands those booklets, drawing attention to some of the many aspects of dance which are very often ignored in the modern day workshop. The use of a simple tabulation enables the taps and rhythms to be analysed and the building blocks to be recognised, abbreviated, and assembled into traditional music patterns and phrasing. All of the tap schedules are shown as musical rhythms at the end of each chapter when required. The book contains chapters detailing two solo's; one is a pedestal clog dane and the other a simple step dance into which clog steps may be put and everyone is encouraged to develop a stage further. More importabtly, the book details the entire repertoire of Samuel Bell, a past champion clog dancer, together with a short history of his life and details of the North Country competitions in the thirties. Finally, there is a more recent record of a simple duet which is suitable for all ages that does not require great athletic ability. The book is not presented as a complete work on clog dancing, but is an attempt to show in detail some of the steps and rhythms in music and tabulation format, with a few points above their performance. The main emphasis is to improve performance, in particular the understanding of timings and the rapport that is required between the dancer, audience, and the musician. It is essentially a guide to be used by dancers, if so inspired to try the dances and impose their own personalitites upon them.Read More