Clogging is a form of
American dance which originated in
Appalachia, usually involving shoes with taps or wooden soles, and
syncopated rhythm of the feet. Usually, steps are low (the feet not being raised as high as in
Scottish dance or
Irish dance). Arms are loose and often swing with the dance. The music danced to is most often
reels (4/4 time),
hornpipes(slower 4/4 time) and
jigs (6/8 time).
Clogging or clog dancing evolved from Irish dance and Scottish dance brought to the Appalachia region by settlers. Consequently, American square dance evolved from Irish and Scottish ceili dance.