Tap Dance
TAP DANCE
SUBSTYLES
Tap Dance is known as a favorite discipline because the students are making music with their feet. Students learn to improve their rhythm and co-ordination to energetic music. Tap dance concentrates on rhythm and timing, and requires interpretation of music through sound, creating regulated and controlled sounds through intricate footwork. More advanced levels of tap teach syncopation and more complex rhythms and combine a variety of styles of classical tap dance. Tap classes are offered in all levels.
INVENTOR
It originated in America when slaves where not allowed to use instruments and used hands and feet as an alternative around the time that Irish clog dancing was becoming popular (so it has some influence from that). No one person "invented" it. Though the Floradora Sextet performed the first synchronized tap routine and from there was used in Hollywood and Broadway musicals. One person did "invent" "Broadway style" tap (which is the one usaly taught to beginners in America)
DEFINATION
Tap dance is an example of a non-partnered dance that is generally choreographed, with one or more participating dancers. A rhythmical tapping sound is attained by the dancer from the small metal plates on the dancer's shoes. It is in his way that the dancer also becomes a percussive musician. Tap dance is often characterized by syncopation and improvisation. Tap can also be performed without music, known as ‘Capella’ dancing. Another type of Tap dance is the ‘soft-shoe’ form, which is a style that is performed in soft-soled shoes without metal taps. The nature of the tapping in this style of Tap is more leisurely and smooth, and there is generally an element of humour within the dance routines. In contrast, the ‘buck-and-wing’ Tap technique is danced much more vigorously in wooden soled shoes.
Tap dance became popular from mistrel shows in the 19th century. It essentially derives from a number of sources, including the traditional clog dance of
SUBSTYLES
Tap Dance is known as a favorite discipline because the students are making music with their feet. Students learn to improve their rhythm and co-ordination to energetic music. Tap dance concentrates on rhythm and timing, and requires interpretation of music through sound, creating regulated and controlled sounds through intricate footwork. More advanced levels of tap teach syncopation and more complex rhythms and combine a variety of styles of classical tap dance. Tap classes are offered in all levels.
INVENTOR
It originated in America when slaves where not allowed to use instruments and used hands and feet as an alternative around the time that Irish clog dancing was becoming popular (so it has some influence from that). No one person "invented" it. Though the Floradora Sextet performed the first synchronized tap routine and from there was used in Hollywood and Broadway musicals. One person did "invent" "Broadway style" tap (which is the one usaly taught to beginners in America)
DEFINATION
Tap dance is an example of a non-partnered dance that is generally choreographed, with one or more participating dancers. A rhythmical tapping sound is attained by the dancer from the small metal plates on the dancer's shoes. It is in his way that the dancer also becomes a percussive musician. Tap dance is often characterized by syncopation and improvisation. Tap can also be performed without music, known as ‘Capella’ dancing. Another type of Tap dance is the ‘soft-shoe’ form, which is a style that is performed in soft-soled shoes without metal taps. The nature of the tapping in this style of Tap is more leisurely and smooth, and there is generally an element of humour within the dance routines. In contrast, the ‘buck-and-wing’ Tap technique is danced much more vigorously in wooden soled shoes.
Tap dance became popular from mistrel shows in the 19th century. It essentially derives from a number of sources, including the traditional clog dance of