Reading cue sheets sometimes is an art form. In older cue sheets, only the step component is listed. This meant that people would cue each step as you went, so people started calling combinations of steps different things. This makes it easier for the cuer; but it means that as a clogger, you have to know what each step combination is. These are becoming fairly standardized but occasionally different names are used for the same step. This is usually due to regional differences. For example a Turning Pushoff is also called an Airplane or a Rockaround, Clogs/Basics are interchangeable as well. You learn as you go which names are the same.
When you see a step, it will have the step name and some abbreviations for step components somewhere on the cue sheet.
Example:
The abbreviations are giving you the steps you need to do when some one calls a basic. This example can be interpreted as: Double Step Rock Step Double Step Rock Step
Sometimes saying it out loud once you interpret the abbreviations will help you. Usually if you can say it you can do it.
Other things on a cue sheet might include directional movements
Example:
This is interpreted as Double Step in front, Double Step in front, Double Step in front, Brush forward and heel click, Double Step cross in front, Rock Step, Rock Step, Rock Step moving backward
But you would say it to yourself as Double Step, Double Step, Double Step, Brush Up, Double Step, Rock Step, Rock Step, Rock Step
There may also be another line that tells you which foot to use. This is either Right (R), Left (L), Both (L/R), Right Left (RL) or Left Right (LR)
And Timing might also be listed
Example:
This is a vine step, spoken out loud like this.
Double Step out to side, double step cross in back, double step out to side and a rock step
and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4
or more complicated steps will show "and a 1 e and a 2 e" written as &a1e&a2e
I hope this helps with interpreting or reading cue sheets. e-mail me any time if you have a question and I will try to help.
Most abbreviations on cue sheets are becoming more standardized but there are many different styles of cue sheets. Here is a list of abbreviations that might help.
Timing
& marks an upbeat (1/2 count)
a marks a 3/4 count
1 - 8 numbers a bass beat (full count)