Thanks, Malcolm, I suspected as much about Appalachian clog dancing. Would it be advisable, therefore, for me to learn Appalachian clogging now (given it's the only thing I have access to) and pick up the English style when I'm somewhere where it's taught? Would I end up being confused and having my style ruined if I switched from Appalachian to English, or are the similarities such that the gulf wouldn't be too hard to bridge? (I'm confused enough already --the instructional video I've got shows an American clog dancing instructor with the words "English Clog Dance Instructor" beside her on the screen, but she continually makes reference to Appalachian clogging and the word "English" never comes out of her mouth.)

I really appreciate all the advice people are giving me on this topic. My interest was actually sparked by hearing the flying feet of Lucy Adams on the last track on Eliza Carthy's Rice album. She sounds like she's wearing wooden-soled shoes. That would explain why it sounds so different from tap. Pleasanter and less aggressive sound, IMHO, and it complements rather than over-rides the music.

Cheers! Hope somebody can advise me on what to do.

Isabel