What Is Tap Dancing: The History of Tap and How to Learn It
Tap dancing is one of the most recognizable forms of dance. From Bugs Bunny to Fred Astaire, tap has become a staple in popular culture. But how did it get here? What is tap dancing? And how can you learn it? Keep reading to find out.
What is Tap Dance?
Tap dance is a performance style of dance that uses rhythm, timing and precision to create movement in a choreographed sequence. It is a form of jazz dance that originated in New Orleans. Its popularity blossomed after being featured in the Broadway musical A Streetcar Named Desire. The most common type of tap dance, in the United States, is jazz, which is different from the other common tap forms of ballet and street dance. It is also called “jazz” because it was originally developed in the African-American community. Jazz tap is noted for its smooth and flowing style that incorporates precision and coordination. Performers often have a high degree of flexibility and are trained to use their entire bodies, from their hands and arms to their feet and backs.
History of Tap Dancing
Tap dancing once thrived in New Orleans, particularly among African-American and Caribbean people. This dance form was brought over to America by early West Indian immigrants to New Orleans. These immigrants, who came from the French-speaking islands of the Caribbean, were referred to as “Black Caribbeans” in the United States. The earliest evidence of tap dancing in America dates back to the early 1800s, although it is likely that this dance style has origins in West Africa. By the early 1900s, tap dancing had become a rich cultural tradition in New Orleans as well as other parts of the country, including Chicago, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Harlem.
How to Learn Tap Dancing
Tap dancers typically learn the basic steps of the dance through classes and lessons with a professional. The main thing to remember is that tap is a performance dance, so the goal isn’t to master individual steps but to find your own style and move with the music. Tap classes often focus on specific aspects of tap dance, like rhythm or receiving, which is a term for the part of the body that holds the tap shoe. To learn to tap, you’ll need to purchase a pair of tap shoes, which are typically made of leather and are worn over one or both of your shoes to hold the taps.
Songs for Beginners in Tap Dancing
There are many songs that beginners can use as a guide for learning tap. Below are a few popular songs you can use to start learning how to tap dance. - Mack the Knife - This song uses a simple rhythm that is easy to learn. It’s a common song to learn how to tap dance, as the rhythm is easy to master. - Dinah - This song is also easy to learn and uses a common rhythm to help you advance your tapping skills. The song is also a popular choice for tap dancers because of the gender-neutral nature of the lyrics. - What a Difference a Day Makes - Another song that uses a simple rhythm, this song is easy to learn for beginners and uses lyrics that are gender-neutral, making it a good choice for anybody looking to tap.
Books for New Dancers in Tap
There are also many books available for tap dancers that can help you learn the basics of tap. These books typically teach the history of tap and how to perform in front of an audience. You can use these books as a guide for learning the basic steps of tap or follow them closely to perform in a live show. Tap books for beginners typically rely on basic rhythm and movement to help you learn how to tap. While the rhythm and movement are simple, they can be challenging for advanced dancers who want to learn more advanced moves. You can use tap books as a guide to help you learn the basic steps and follow them closely to perform in a live show, or you can skip the step-by-step instruction and try to find your own rhythm and movement when performing.
Examples of Professional Dancers in Tap
There are many professional tap dancers out there. Here are a few notable ones you can follow on social media: - Jeneil Feild - Jeneil is a former professional dancer who has been performing in New York City since the early 2000s. She’s performed with a number of big-name artists and has toured internationally. - Sean Mims - This former professional dancer has been performing since the early 2000s and has toured internationally. He’s also performed with a number of big-name artists. - Jocelyn Morong - This professional dancer has been performing since the late 2000s, and she has performed in a number of shows, including Broadway. She’s also toured internationally.
Bottom line
Tap is a signature dance form that has been used in musicals, on stage, and in music videos for decades. Tap dancing is a challenging form of dance that requires a high degree of agility, flexibility, and control over the body. To learn tap dancing, you can take classes or hire a professional. Popular tap dance songs can also help you get started.
Contact A Step in Time Dance Center to hear about our tap classes!