Broom Dancing

Where did broom dancing come from? Dancing with a sweeping brush or broom is found in many countries, including England and Ireland. It is done in many different ways and often includes fancy stepping and energetic jumps over the broom. In England in the past there were competitions at country fairs to see who was the best broom dancer, and these still happen today in some places. We don't really know why people started dancing with brooms. Perhaps they were bored or the broom took the place of a partner.

Broom dancing can be performed as a solo dance or as a team dance. Have a go Broom dancing can be performed as a solo dance or as a team dance. Solo dances One person dancing on their own 2 or more dancers taking turns 2 or more dancers performing their solo dance at the same time Team Dances Team dances may include: Making shapes by holding the broom between them making arches with the brooms to go under brushing in patterns.

Solo Broom Dancing Broom dances can include stepping along, around, or over a broom as it lies on the floor. There are also difficult tricks or figures such as: balancing the broom on the hand or head various flip-up moves of the broom, swings and spins throws of leg over the broom broom between the legs or around the back percussing, (beating a rhythm with one or other end of the broom)

Some basic broom dance steps Broom dancing is often done to a type of music know as a ‘hornpipe’. The basic step can be a ‘step hop’. Try hopping twice on one leg and then hopping twice on the other and keep repeating this. Now try stepping onto one foot and hopping on that leg once. Then step forward onto the other foot and hop once on that leg. Keep going! Try brushing in a rhythm without the music. Listen to the sound that the brush makes Try brushing the brush in time to the music. Can you brush around the room, in a circle and step hop at the same time?

Many dancers make up their own stepping If you can’t step hop don’t worry. Try other ways to move around in time to the music with a brush. You might also want to see what you can do sitting down. Dances can be very simple or very complicated. They are often funny too.

Dancing over a Broom Dancing and Brushing

Getting started Put your brush on the floor in front of you, handle pointing away from you and brush head at your feet. Can you dance all the way around the broom in a circle and back to place, step hopping all the way and without touching the broom?

Ideas for dancing on your own Can you dance over the broom? There are a lot of ways you could do this. Jump with 2 feet together to the other side of the broom handle and back again. Touch with your toe on the other side of the broom whilst hopping on the other leg. Bring the toe back and repeat, keeping to the music. Take a look at the film in the next slide. You might get some ideas for steps. These are very experienced dancers, you could make up something simpler to start with. Don’t forget though – you must not touch the broom with your feet!

Two dancers, each doing his own dance Can you see the step hop?

Dartmoor broom dancing competition video

Ideas for dancing over the broom

Dancing as a group Make a circle and hold a bush between you and the person next to you. One will have the brush end, the other the handle end. You can have any number in the circle but perhaps 4-8 people is best or the circle will be too big. Now dance around one way in the circle keep a holding the broom. Turn and dance back. Don’t let go! With a partner hold each end of a brush between you. Hold the brush up. Can you both turn under the brush to get back to where you started? Can you turn each way? What else can you do?

Dancing with brushes as a group video Can you see the step step step hop!

Making up a dance Decide how you will perform your dance. Will you make up your own individual dances and perform these each person on their own or will you take turns to perform the steps or dance your individual dances all together at the same time? Or will you make up a team dance? Make up a series of steps that fit to the music. Practice. Perform! A lot of broom dancing is improvised; that means making it up on the spot. Dancers who know and practice a lot of steps and moves might perform them in any order.

What can you do with your dance? When you feel good enough to perform to others you could: Perform at the school or local fair/concert/event. Take your group to perform at another school, a local care home or a day centre. Don’t forget to ask them first! Teach others to make your group bigger or get another group started.

Being safe Remember to make sure that the area around you is clear of things and people. You don’t want to dance into anyone or hit someone or something with the brush.

Check out other things you can do: Mummer’s Plays Well Dressing Maypole Dancing Broom Dancing https://folk3d.wordpress.com/educational-resources/

Good luck!