Tap Dancing includes leg, foot shuffles, with heel tapping to rhythmic beat or music. The foot taps the floor in a percussion movement. Metal plates are added to the heel and toe area of shoes to get the particular tap sound. Tapping occurs when the feet tap a sound resonating floor in a rhythmical style.
Modern tap (American), has its main origins stemming from African American chugging, shuffling and breaking movements. It also has influences from Irish Jig and British Clog dancing. These influences have taken form since the 1700s and have evolved into a variety of tapping styles throughout the years.
Tap dancing evolved from the fusion of these cultures and took hold in New York underground dance spaces. Competitions were held in these areas the mid to late 19th century called cutting’ comps.
One early competition was had between an African American dancer William Henry Lane called Master Juba and IrIsh dancer John Diamond. They did Master each other’s dance techniques setting off a collaborative trend.
However there are many forms of tapping around the world from Flamenco dancing, Irish, rhythm and Jazz tap, Classical tap to name a few.
What is Jazz Tap
The origin of jazz dancing originated with African influences of celebration dances and rituals. These from slave trade in 18th century.
Jazz tap is a style which emerged from Brazil in the early twentieth century. It is also referred to as theatrical and Broadway jazz.
The vernacular jazz styles also arose out off the African American styles of ragtime and the Charlston. When the Charlston dance hit the Harlem Streets of New York, it evolved with fast kicking, ankles twisting and three use of tapping.
Jazz tap often involved having the dancer improvise steps and phrasing according to their interpretations of the Jazz music being played.
Broadway Tap
Broadway Tap emerged in the 1930s and 40’s. Many Broadway musicals featured tap dancing as their main style with many stars to have emerging. With a foundation in Afro and Irish American influence, this style developed into a more lyracal contemporary feel.
Flamenco Dancing
Flamenco dancing is a highly expressive form of Spanish dancing. It includes large arm movements percussive feet movements or stomping and hand clapping to a guitar. There is tapping of the feet on a wooden hard floor with the heel and toe of the dancers.
There is no set dance routine for Flamenco dancers to follow and that is where improvisation steps come in. Dancers feel the sensuality of the music and dance ad libbing the style in sync with their partner. With raw emotions and expressive, stylized movements, this type of tapping dance can make an impact.
Check out the video on examples of Flamenco Dancing.
For those who are interested in buying a flamenco dress, earring and or hairpiece click the link. These are great as dress up party costumes to have as party of a show, or to have in general.
What is Irish dancing
Irish Stepdance is a from of dancing popularized by the international Irish dancing group River Band. It’s roots was originally from Irish dance. It is characterized by step up a body, and expressive rhythmic foot and Leg movements.
Their costumes are elaborate and traditional looking where they wear curly haired wigs and strong shoes with heels. Dancing can be in pairs groups or in solos. Females generally where sucks to their carbs Irish traditional dresses and strong black wide lace shoes. You can check out traditional costumes here and you can also buy some here.
At the Irish step dance is often performed around the world and there are also competitions in which to enter and perform in. These dances are often featured in Irish festivals called Fies.
Fun Facts
Michael flatley the reinventer and originator of the Irish dancing troupe RiverDance, had his feet insured for 56.5 million dollars at one stage.
Michael flatley changed the original Irish step dance by adding in his oneflare but using large arm movements and syncopated tap dance. He won the Guinness world record for tapping 35 per second.
Why do Irish Dancers Hold their Arms Down while Dancing?
There are a number of theories why Irish dancers keep their hands down to their sides while dancing. One theory is due to the Irish protesting the English Queen that they were dancing but kept their hands down as they danced as a form of protest.
Another theory is that due to puritanical Catholicism the Irish were asked to keep their hands to their sides and have a straight face while dancing to prove that they were Christian.
Other theories are while the Irish were at War other countries they did not want the enemy to see them having fun and frivolity so they would dance with the hands down to their sides.
What is clog dancing?
Clog dancing is a form of step dancing which stems from the British Isles. The dancers wear in flexible wooden clogs.
It originated with miners dancing in the pubs between breaks. I took its own form with many peasant people using it as a form of entertainment and fun.
Club dancing is is a specific type of dance particular to a group of people in the British Isles. This was popular at the turn-of-the-century, and also and the mid-twentieth-century.
Here is a video of modern Club dancers in the United States they are Flawless.
Who are Famous Tap Dancers?
Mr Bojangles aka Luther/Bill Robinson was born in 1878 and died in 1949. He is one
of America’s foremost and well respected tap dancers. He had starred in Minstrel shows when he was a very small boy and also danced in Vaudeville shows in 1900s’ and also Broadway in his twenties and onwards.Mr Bojangles became quite the success as a nightclub and musical show performer, where he performed almost exclusively for black audiences to begin with. . Robinson was also a rifleman engaging in combat during World War One.
Due to his cheerful demeanor and light tapping, with a distinctive swing he became the darling of black and white audiences alike. He was also very well known for his stair dance and performed this on Broadway and on screen.
He starred in many Hollywood movies as an actor and a dancer, starring alongside Shirley Temple among many.
Bill Robinson had difficulty breaking from the happy-go-lucky facade in which tended to stereotype him, but it gave him regular work. He gave to many charities especially in Harlem and for black people’s success.
Here is Mr Bojangles dancing with Shirley Temple in Little Colonel, one of the most famous dances of early Hollywood.
Fred Astaire born in 1898 in Omaha, Nebraska took up dancing at a very young age. Astaire toured with his sister Adele performing dances they had learned while attending the Alviene Master School of the Theatre and Academy of Cultural Arts . Astaire took his cue to tap dance from Bill Robinson. He and Adele performed on Broadway showcasing a variety of dance styles including tap; ball room, and the waltz. In 1933 Fred Astarie filmed two Hollywood dancing movies one with Ginger Rogers; Flying Down to Rio, which launched their tight partnership for many years.
Fred Astiarie was able to negotiate good terms for his direction and acting performances, where he was able to land a percentage fee of gross revenue, which was unheard of at the time. He also wanted the dance scenes to be filmed in as little takes as possible, without using close ups of hands or faces.
During his tap dances he was also known for using props such as canes and top hats, but also imagitiven props and scenery in different movies.
Although Astaire danced in many Hollywood movies, television series, specials and theater shows, he was known for his elegant, graceful, smooth, flowing style as well as his attention to detail in everything he did.
Ann Miller
Ann Miller was born April 1923 and died in January 2004. She was a singer and dancer who started life early in show business.
At age 13 in 1936 she was a dancer in the Black Cat Studio where she told the owner she was 18. There she was spotted by Lucille Ball. Miller played part roles with RKO studios and later signed to Columbia Studios where she found true success as a dancer and singer in many screen Musicals such as; Time Out for Rhythm and Kiss Me Kate.
She was known to tap 500 taps per minute. Miller also used to tap in movies with rubber soles due to the flooring, but late added her taps in. She was also known for her dramatic style, with her very dark hair and red lips with great legs. She was a great singer and performer, acting later in life in such tv shows as The Love Boat.
The Nicolas brothers
The Nicholas Brothers were a team of tap dancing brothers from Mobile, Alabama and began dancing at a young age. Fayard Nicholas was born in October 20, 1914 and his brother Harold Lloyd Nicholas was born in March 17, 1921.
They came from a very musical family where their father was a drummer and conductor. Their mother played the piano for their bands and in Vaudeville shows in at that time. They also used to see many performing stars such as Bill Robinson and Wiille Bryant and took note of the great theatrics of tapping and acrobatics.
The older brother Fayard Taught himself how to dance and became the leader of his sibling group which included his sister Dorothy and of course he’s much younger brother Harold. Dorothy bowed out and Harold and Fayard became known as the Nicholas brothers.
They were considered the best tap dancers of their time. Both brothers were well known for their signature dance move called Flash dancing.
The style was well known to be highly acrobatic as well as very advanced tap dancing. One of the most well-known performances as with Cab Calloway and his orchestra where
they danced on an elaborate white stage with large stairs, leap frogging over each other with ease.
Many stars have admired the Nicholas brothers acrobatic dancing and have stated that it would be extremely difficult to imitate their dance style today. Both brothers have started in theatre productions and also in Broadway with the debut of Zigfield Follies of 1936.
During the many experiences in theatre and working with highly regarded choreographers, they developed and learnt many new stunts that lead to people loving their style.
In 1932 the brothers were entertainers at the cotton club working with a number of well-known Vaudeville acts. They were also teachers teaching many famous people such as Debbie Allen, Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson.
Gregory Hines
Gregory Hines born on February 14, 1946 and died in August 9, 2003. He was an African American tap dancer actor and singer as well as a great choreographer.
Hines was born in New York city to Morris Robert Hines his father who was a dancer, musician and actor. He grew up in the neighbourhood of Harlem, New York where he began dancing at age 5. Shortly after, he danced with his with his older brother Maurice, where they perform together as ‘Hines Brothers’. They learned dance with esteemed choreographer Henry LeTang.
Hines was the lead singer in the musical rock band called Severance based California from 1975 to 1976. He has also sang a famous duet in 1986 with Lucifer Vandross called; ‘There’s nothing better than love.‘
His first major debut as an actor was acting in Mailboxes history of the world part one, where many people took note of his comedic charming style.
Hines performed on Broadway The first time with his brother in ‘The Girl in Pink Tights’ in 1954. He has been nominated and won Tony awards and even hosted the awards ceremony in 1995 and 2002. He has starred in his own television series and also played but roles and programs like ‘Will and Grace’ and the ‘Tic Code.’
Gregory Hines was an avid improviser in that he did a lot of improvised tap steps to certain sounds and rhythms. Many have said that his tapping was almost as though he were a drummer dancing his solos.
He would often listen to the music and rhythms as he was tapping and come up with different phrasing as a result. He was known as a laid-back dancer, a gentleman who had great style.
You can see him in action here.
Notable Tap Groups
There is nothing like a group of talented dancers tapping in synch to a fabulous lyrical beat. Many famous individual dancers came from groups such as some of the people mentioned above and also Gene Kelly who began his career in a circus group.
Here are some notable dances and dancers who have taken tap to the next level:
The Irish Dance Group ‘Riverdance’ This group led by the very talented Michael Flatley showcased their Irish dance skills in their famous group Riverdance and later Lord of the Dance. The original group traveled and performed around the world and put Ireland and its particular dance style on the world map.
Tap Dogs, is the story of Dean Perry who started and choreographed his show Tap Brothers a show which combined his tapping talent and background in the industrial steel work business. Tap Brothers became a sensation, in which afterwards Perry was asked to choreograph a number of shows in London and Sydney Theatre Company.
It was here that he first developed his new group Tap dogs! This show uses an industrial feel with many different props such as drums, steel bins, scaffolding and steel flooring.
Tap Dogs haves featured in many Festivals including The Edinburgh Festival. They have also performed to over 12 million people.
Other notable tap dancers and groups
- , The Hot Shot Tap Dancers
- Cora LaRedd
- Christopher Rice and other Broadway stars, Cups by Anna Kendrick
- The Sole Sisters
- Papatoutai Dance,
- Tap Dancing between a Seasoned Tapper and a very young boy
- Tap Dance James Cagney and Bob Hope
- Gene Kelly
- Shirley Temple
Tap Competitions
Tap compositions occur in many countries around the world. Probably the most Notable tap dancing competition would be the IDO World Tech dance championships and cups. International dance organisation tap dance championships are probably the most prestigious Competition to enter as a tap dancer.
This is the Federation which was established in 1981 as a governing body or tap dancing that aren’t covered by other international federations.
Many young people from all over the world enter this competition and soloists, part of a duo group and formation team.
Check out the 2019 Champions here.
How to Care for Your Tap Shoes
Tapping on a wooden floor is better for your taps than tapping on concrete. You are more likely to break your taps on concrete than you are on wooden floor boards. And the sound of the wooden floorboard is a better traveling sound.
If you have leather shoes, ensure to moisturize the shoes every now and then to keep the leather soft and malleable, good for dancing in.
Keep them in an air tight bag if not in use. In the wintertime often leather shoes can get moldy and it takes some work to get them in tip top shape. Keeping them in an air tight bag helps prevent dust from developing, mold and general wear and tear from movements in the closet.
If you happen to have suede shoes there are good protectors to help keep their appearance and shape. These are good general spray protectors.
When travelling from place to place and you need to keep your dance shoes safe, pop them in an actual dancer duffle bag. They help keep your shoes and dance clothes or costume separate and are less likely to rip and tear anything you need for the stage. Some bags come with compartments to keep shoes, spray protectors, tights, cell phone, makeup and water. This one had the most five star reviews.
Get The Correct Tap Shoes
As a beginner or seasoned dancer you need to find the perfect tap dancing she’s for you. Here are a few which might be up your tap dancing alley.
Generally the shoe should be made of out leather from the sole to the upper. It must be sturdy enough to dance in and have enough room for movement. The shoe should suit the dance genre you are dancing for. So having an old pair of walking shoes may or may not cut the mustard.
You can simply make your own by lightly screwing taps onto the heel and the sole of your shoes. Or you can like the old days paste pennies nto the sole or heel of your shoe.
Or you can buy basic tap shoes online anything from $20 to $500. If you’re just beginning I suggest you start out with the cheaper here to see if tap dancing is for you.
Here is an example of decent but cheaper tap shoes.
Of course the more elaborate you wish to go the higher the price tag will likely be.
Mini established tap dancers who wish to earn money from their work take their own specialised tapping board with them to gigs.
These are often made out of chipboard and a light and easy to assemble. These are great to put on top of concrete and hard wooden floors so that you are less likely to break your taps.
However, it is not necessary to buy the boards but they are there for semi-professional purposes.
Here is an example of your high quality professional dancing tap shoes.
Tap dancing costumes for outfits
Of course tap dancing costumes come in many different sizes and shapes.
Costumes for such as this one for a young girl is perfect for Dance Competitions. Especially for Solo performances.
This is a great costume for a female performer in a group or solo performance.
Dance wear solutions have some great costumes and shoes you can purchase online from.
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