American traditional informal freeform solo folk dancing
Encyclopedia
American traditional informal freeform solo folk dancing is a form of dance oriented to spontaneous individual dancing, where self-expression and creativity are expected.
Filling the later case for each of those aspects is American traditional informal freeform solo folk dancing. This category includes Flat Foot Dancing (AKA Flat-Footing), Hoofing (AKA Hoofin'), Buck Dancing, Soft Shoe (casual tap dancing performed in shoes without metal taps), Clogging
(in its older non-show form), Irish Sean-Nós Dance
, and the Irish Jig
. (Various other names may be applied for this category of dance, depending upon the specific regional, language, cultural, or social group.)
Traditional couples and group social dance forms such as Cakewalk
Dance, Square Dance
, Hoedown
, Line Dance
, or Contra Dance
might have interludes of this solo from of dancing between those dances.
More modern American dance styles—including those oriented to performance (such as Vaudeville
and Tap Dance
, competitive (such as Irish Stepdance
and Ballroom Dance
), or other forms commonly studied at dance schools—may employ some of these same steps. However, those modern dances are more likely to emphasize steps oriented towards showmanship or correctness of form.
While showmanship cannot be totally divorced from this form of dance, the emphasis is more upon making the dance appear almost effortless. This dance style is adaptable by those who are physically limited in some way—yet can provide significant exercise. These traditional dance forms exist outside generational bounds and can be enjoyed by the youngest of children or those more advanced in years.
Often only a small dance area is required, as the dancer need not travel far from the central spot where the dance is started. Sometimes the dance is done on a table top, a door taken off the hinges, a board placed between two supports, or even on the limited area of the top of a stool. No specialized facilities, props, or clothing are required—other than a pair of sturdy shoes (plain sole, without taps).
includes a traditional informal freeform solo style known as Sean Nós
or "old style". Sean-nós dance in America
has been a significant influence on solo Southern dancing and solo mountain-style dancing.
The regions where this form of dance is most commonly found roughly parallels the geographic area of Appalachia, the Ozarks, or other regions where the isolation and rough topography impeded the encroachment of more modern forms. These regions coincide with Colonial frontier areas where America's earlier English settlers found the land less desirable and subsequently were more available for newer immigrants. Thus there is a stronger influence of the Irish and Scottish peoples in those regions from their migration during Colonial and later eras.
Sean-nós dance in America
has made a significant contribution to the American traditional informal freeform solo folk dancing that includes Hoofing (AKA Hoofin'), Buck Dancing, Soft Shoe, Clogging (in its older non-show form), and the Irish Jig. (Various other names may be applied for this category of dance, depending upon the specific regional, language, cultural, or social group.) Solo Southern dancing and Solo mountain-style dancing show strong influences from sean-nós dance.
Contrasts of American traditional dance styles
Traditional dance in America has various contrasting aspects and schools of practice:- Some are formal styles that have standards and regulating bodies, while others are informally practiced.
- Some are oriented to performance or competition, while others are done with no regard to judges and standards.
- Some are choreographed in advance, while others are freeform.
- Some are meant to be repeated exactly as handed down by tradition, where others are open to spontaneous composition.
- Some are done as couple or group social dancing, where some physical contact occurs between the dancers — while others are done "solo" or in loosely formed small groups … without any contact between dancers.
- Most forms of dance require musical accompaniment (or just percussion), while others can be practiced without any accompaniment.
Filling the later case for each of those aspects is American traditional informal freeform solo folk dancing. This category includes Flat Foot Dancing (AKA Flat-Footing), Hoofing (AKA Hoofin'), Buck Dancing, Soft Shoe (casual tap dancing performed in shoes without metal taps), Clogging
Clogging
Clogging is a type of folk dance with roots in traditional European dancing, early African-American dance, and traditional Cherokee dance in which the dancer's footwear is used musically by striking the heel, the toe, or both in unison against a floor or each other to create audible percussive...
(in its older non-show form), Irish Sean-Nós Dance
Sean-nós dance
Sean-nós dance is an older style of traditional solo Irish dance. It is a casual dance form Irish Stepdancing....
, and the Irish Jig
Jig
The Jig is a form of lively folk dance, as well as the accompanying dance tune, originating in England in the 16th century and today most associated with Irish dance music and Scottish country dance music...
. (Various other names may be applied for this category of dance, depending upon the specific regional, language, cultural, or social group.)
Traditional couples and group social dance forms such as Cakewalk
Cakewalk
The Cakewalk dance was developed from a "Prize Walk" done in the days of slavery, generally at get-togethers on plantations in the Southern United States. Alternative names for the original form of the dance were "chalkline-walk", and the "walk-around"...
Dance, Square Dance
Square dance
Square dance is a folk dance with four couples arranged in a square, with one couple on each side, beginning with Couple 1 facing away from the music and going counter-clockwise until getting to Couple 4. Couples 1 and 3 are known as the head couples, while Couples 2 and 4 are the side couples...
, Hoedown
Hoedown
A Hoedown is a type of American folk dance or square dance in duple meter, and also the musical form associated with it.-Overview:The most popular sense of the term is associated with Americans in rural or southeastern parts of the country, particularly Appalachia. It is a dance in quick movement...
, Line Dance
Line dance
A line dance is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows without regard for the gender of the individuals, all facing the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time. Line dancers are not in physical contact...
, or Contra Dance
Contra dance
Contra dance refers to several partnered folk dance styles in which couples dance in two facing lines...
might have interludes of this solo from of dancing between those dances.
More modern American dance styles—including those oriented to performance (such as Vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
and Tap Dance
Tap dance
Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by using the sound of one's tap shoes hitting the floor as a percussive instrument. As such, it is also commonly considered to be a form of music. Two major variations on tap dance exist: rhythm tap and Broadway tap. Broadway tap focuses more on the...
, competitive (such as Irish Stepdance
Irish stepdance
Irish stepdance is a type of performance dance originated in Ireland from traditional Irish dance, characterised by solo dancers who dance with hands by their sides and upper body stiff, making quick, intricate movements of the feet, often with a troupe. Irish stepdancing was popularized by the...
and Ballroom Dance
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
), or other forms commonly studied at dance schools—may employ some of these same steps. However, those modern dances are more likely to emphasize steps oriented towards showmanship or correctness of form.
Informality of American vernacular solo dance
The distinguishing characteristics of the American traditional informal freeform solo folk dancing are that it can be done spontaneously, with creativity and self-expression, and may involve only one person. The foot need not be lifted very high off the ground for this form of dance, but the skill and physical exertion required can still be demanding. Even if musical accompaniment is not present, the sound of the foot contacting the dance surface provides a rhythm of its own.While showmanship cannot be totally divorced from this form of dance, the emphasis is more upon making the dance appear almost effortless. This dance style is adaptable by those who are physically limited in some way—yet can provide significant exercise. These traditional dance forms exist outside generational bounds and can be enjoyed by the youngest of children or those more advanced in years.
Often only a small dance area is required, as the dancer need not travel far from the central spot where the dance is started. Sometimes the dance is done on a table top, a door taken off the hinges, a board placed between two supports, or even on the limited area of the top of a stool. No specialized facilities, props, or clothing are required—other than a pair of sturdy shoes (plain sole, without taps).
Roots and regions where prevalent
Significant influences on these traditional styles in America include the traditions of African, European, English, Irish, Scottish, and Native American dance. Irish DanceIrish dance
Irish dancing or Irish dance is a group of traditional dance forms originating in Ireland which can broadly be divided into social dance and performance dances. Irish social dances can be divided further into céilí and set dancing...
includes a traditional informal freeform solo style known as Sean Nós
Sean Nós
Sean Nós refers to "old style" Irish song and dance, which are discussed under:* Sean-nós song, Irish traditional song.* Sean-nós dance, Irish traditional dance.* Sean-nós dance in America, Irish traditional singing and dancing in the "old style" in America...
or "old style". Sean-nós dance in America
Sean-nós dance in America
Sean-nós dance in America has its roots in Irish culture, but may be practiced differently from how it is danced in Ireland. When Irish people emigrated to America in great numbers during the early American Colonial period, or when escaping troubles in Ireland, they brought their dance culture with...
has been a significant influence on solo Southern dancing and solo mountain-style dancing.
The regions where this form of dance is most commonly found roughly parallels the geographic area of Appalachia, the Ozarks, or other regions where the isolation and rough topography impeded the encroachment of more modern forms. These regions coincide with Colonial frontier areas where America's earlier English settlers found the land less desirable and subsequently were more available for newer immigrants. Thus there is a stronger influence of the Irish and Scottish peoples in those regions from their migration during Colonial and later eras.
Sean-nós dance in America
Sean-nós dance in America
Sean-nós dance in America has its roots in Irish culture, but may be practiced differently from how it is danced in Ireland. When Irish people emigrated to America in great numbers during the early American Colonial period, or when escaping troubles in Ireland, they brought their dance culture with...
has made a significant contribution to the American traditional informal freeform solo folk dancing that includes Hoofing (AKA Hoofin'), Buck Dancing, Soft Shoe, Clogging (in its older non-show form), and the Irish Jig. (Various other names may be applied for this category of dance, depending upon the specific regional, language, cultural, or social group.) Solo Southern dancing and Solo mountain-style dancing show strong influences from sean-nós dance.
I believe that to get some idea of the process of Southern vernacular dance development, we must consider it in parallel with its companion music and the dominant cultures that have mixed to produce it: British, African, and to some extent, Native American. These cultures began their intense musical interaction here in the 17th century, first among African-Americans and then in the 19th century among British-Americans, especially in small Southern towns and nearby rural areas. A good example of Anglo/Afro interaction in music is the introduction of the banjo, originally an African instrument. It is quite certain that the interaction between the European fiddle and African banjo changed the styles and repertoire of both. African-Americans first played these instruments together soon after being brought here, and the banjo/fiddle combination was the basis for the late 19th-century/early 20th-century mountain music to which most of our older dancers moved.
- Mike Seeger, Musician, Documentarian, Ethno-Musicologist
Popularity
Because this form of dance is not commonly found on stage, in the media, or taught in dance schools, it has received less attention and its practice is significantly diminished compared to its past popularity. Institutional means of preserving this sub-category of dance include through the activities of folk festivals, documentarians, folklorists, ethno-musicologists, dance schools, and performance troupes. Isolated pockets of practitioners may choose to pass this down, if the younger generations step up to learning the dance form.Sources
- Talking Feet Documentary Film, Mike Seeger
- Cherokee Dance: Ceremonial Dances & Dance Regalia, Donald Sizemore, ISBN 0935741216