Tap Dancing includes leg, foot shuffles, with heel tapping to rhythmic beat or music. Throughout the ages tap dance has had a special place in modern day performance. Beginning with Jazz, Broadway, Movies and in general theater. Tap dance is a skill which has launched many careers into infamy.
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.
Jazz Tap is Often Associated with Broadway
The origin of jazz dancing originated with African influences of celebration dances and rituals. These from the slave trade in the 18th century. Clearly a link to tap dance as we know it.
Jazz tap is a style that 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 of the African American styles of ragtime and the Charleston. When the Charleston 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.
Afro and Irish dance Influenced the Beginnings of Broadway Tap
Broadway Tap emerged in the 1930s and ’40s. Many Broadway musicals featured tap dancing as their main style with many stars to have to emerge. With a foundation in Afro and Irish American influence, this style developed into a more lyrical contemporary feel.
Flamenco Dancing Is a Highly Expressioned Spanish Dance
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 the 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.
For those who are interested in buying a flamenco dress, earrings, and or a hairpiece. These are great as dress-up party costumes to have at a party or a show, or to have in general. Tap Dance is greatly influenced by Spanish Dancing.
Click on this link to purchase the beautiful Flamenco costume from Amazon
Irish Dancing Is a Traditional Form of Dance Distinctive In Its Great Leg Work
Irish Stepdance is a form of dancing popularized by the international Irish dancing group River Dance. Its roots were originally from Irish dance, which was also influenced by traditional English dance. It is characterized by stiff upper a body, with the expressive rhythmic foot, and leg movements. Clearly linked with modern tap dance.
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 wear long socks to the lower knee just under their Irish traditional dresses and strong black wide lace shoes. You can check out traditional costumes here and you can also buy a traditional curly-haired wig here for a fair price from Amazon.
At the Irish step, dance is often performed around the world and there are also competitions in which to enter and perform. These dances are often featured in Irish festivals called Fies.
Fun Facts About Irish Dancing
Michael Flatley the Lead and Artistic Director of the Irish dancing troupe RiverDance, had his feet insured for 56.5 million dollars.
Michael Flatley changed the original Irish step dance by adding in his One flare 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 arms and hands down while dancing. One theory is due to the Irish protesting the English Queen. When they were asked to dance for the Queen, they decided to keep their arms and hands down to protest the way they were being treated by the English during the Great Famine.
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. Not to be confused with modern tap dance.
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. It took on its own form with many peasant people using it as a form of entertainment and fun.
Clog dancing 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.
Famous Tap Dancers
There are many skilled tap dancers in theater and on screen, but some have made a name for the excellence and masterful expertise in this area. From Mr. Bojangles, to Shirley Temple to the more modern day groups such as Tap Dogs and Riverdance.
Mr Bojangles aka Luther/Bill Robinson was born in 1878 and died in 1949.
Mr. Bojangles Tap Artist for Hollywood and Broadway
Bill Robinson was one of America’s foremost and well-respected tap dancers. He starred in Minstrel shows when he was a very small boy and also danced in Vaudeville shows in 1900s’ and also danced on Broadway in his twenties and thirties. He had a definite link to tap dance as we know it.
Mr. Bojangles became quite the success as a nightclub and musical show performer, where he performed almost exclusively for black audiences to begin with.
Interestingly Robinson was also a rifleman in the military engaging in combat during World War One.
Due to his cheerful demeanor and light style of 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 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 Jazz Tap Artists and Actor
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; ballroom, and waltz. In 1933 Fred Astaire filmed two Hollywood dancing movies one with Ginger Rogers; Flying Down to Rio, which launched their tight partnership for many years.
Fred Astaire was able to negotiate high salaries for his direction and acting performances, where he was able to land a percentage fee of gross revenue. This was unheard of at the time.
He also wanted the tap 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 imaginative props and scenery in different movies.
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 Hollywood Actress
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 at the time. 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.
One of her claim to fame achievements was when she could 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 Famous Tappers
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 on 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 Wille Bryant and took note of the great theatrics of tapping and acrobatics.
Older brother Fayard Taught himself how to dance and became the leader of his sibling group which included his sister Dorothy and his 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 tap 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 learned 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 Tapper and Hollywood Actor
Gregory Hines born on February 14, 1946, and died on 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 neighborhood of Harlem, New York where he began dancing at age 5. Shortly after, he danced with his older brother Maurice, where they perform together as ‘Hines Brothers’. They learned to dance with esteemed choreographer Henry LeTang.
Hines was the lead singer in the musical rock band Severance based in California from 1975 to 1976. He has also sung 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 where he did a lot of improvised tap steps to beats 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 In the World
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.
- 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
Contemporary World Wide Tap Competitions
Tap competitions take place in many countries around the world. The most Notable tap-dancing competition would be the IDO World Tech Dance Championships and cups.
It is the Federation which was established in 1981 as the governing body or tap-dancing that aren’t covered by other international federations.
Many young people from all over the world enter this competition as soloists, duo or group performers.
Check out the 2019 Champions here.
Moisturize Your Tap Shoes and In and Air Tight Bag
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 floorboards. The tapping sound of the wooden floorboard allows the tapping sound to travel and is preferable flooring.
If you have leather tap shoes, ensure to moisturize often to keep the leather soft and malleable, and best for tap dancing in.
Keep them in an airtight 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 airtight bag helps prevent dust from developing, mold, and general wear and tear.
If you happen to have suede shoes, there are good spray protectors to help keep their appearance and shape. These are good general spray protectors from Amazon.
When traveling 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/costume separate.
Having these separate compartments mean that your gear is less likely to rip and tear. Some bags come with compartments to keep shoes, spray protectors, tights, cell phones, makeup, and water. This one had the most five-star reviews. Great for your tap dance gear.
Get The Correct Tap Shoes for Your Show
As a beginner or seasoned dancer, you need to find the perfect tap-dancing shoes 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 part. It must be sturdy and have enough room for movement.
The shoe should suit the dance genre you are dancing, for instance if you’re dancing in a chorus such a3 42nd Street, you likely want to wear this type of shoe.
Another great tap dancing shoe for females would be the flesh colored footwear to work with any colored dress or costume.
These are called the Capezio womens Manhattan Xtreme Tap Shoe Caramel color.
Your uniYour unisex tap shoes are great for learning and dancing in a range of shows.
Capezio Unisex Tic Toe Tap Shoe Dance, Black, 4 M US Big Kid
So having an old pair of walking shoes may or may not cut the mustard.
Here is an example of high-quality leather tap shoes. Yes, it’s on the pricier side, but this pair will last the distance. They are also great character shoes.
How To Make Your Own Tap Shoes
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 pair here to see if tap dancing is for you.
A portable Tapping Floor for Performances
Many established tap dancers who earn money from their work take their own specialized 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.
IncStores 3’x3′ Practice Dance Floor (Dark Maple)
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.
The world of tap-dancing is fantastic and wonderful. From the rudimentary beginnings to the dancers who became famous to the shows which utilized them. Tap dancing will go on to be one of our most Theatrical and fun styles of dancing. Time to get into and give it a go.
