The Roots: A Cultural Collision
Tap didn't start in a studio; it began as a fusion of West African rhythms and Irish/British Isles step dancing (clogging and jigs).
The Catalyst: In the 1700s, when enslaved Africans were forbidden from using traditional drums, they turned to their bodies—specifically their feet—to keep their rhythms alive.
The Melting Pot: This percussive movement met Irish step dancing in the urban neighborhoods of the Northern US (like New York’s Five Points) and on Southern plantations, creating a style originally known as "jigging."
The Great Divide: Rhythm vs. Broadway
Modern tap is generally split into two distinct "vibes" depending on whether you want to be a musician or a sho Feature Rhythm (Jazz) Tap Broadway (Show) Tap
Primary Focus: The sound (the feet as an instrument). The look (aesthetics and storytelling).
Body Posture: Grounded, relaxed, knees bent ("Hoofing"). Upright, balletic, or ballroom-influenced.
Accompaniment Often a cappella or with a jazz trio. Full orchestras or musical theater tracks.
Key Legends Savion Glover, John Bubb
The Innovators:
William Henry Lane (Master Juba): Often called the "Father of Tap," he was one of the first Black performers to dance for white audiences in the 1840s, blending African and European styles.
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson: He moved tap "up on its toes." Famous for his crystal-clear sound and the "Stair Dance," he broke major racial barriers in Vaudeville and Hollywood.
The Nicholas Brothers: Known for "Flash Act" tap—combining high-speed rhythm with jaw-dropping acrobatics (like their famous leap-frogging down stairs in Stormy Weather).
Eleanor Powell: The "Queen of Tap," known for her incredible speed and powerful, athletic style that rivaled any male contemporary.
Savion Glover: Credited with the "Tap Renaissance" in the 90s, he brought a heavy, funk-driven, "hitting" style to Broadway with Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk.
The Anatomy of the Sound:
Before modern metal plates, dancers used wooden-soled clogs or even pennies nailed to the toes of their shoes to create sound.
The "Taps": Today, shoes feature aluminum or steel alloy plates. The screws can actually be loosened or tightened to "tune" the pitch of the shoe.
The Floor: A "sprung" wood floor is the gold standard—it protects the dancer's joints and acts as a soundboard for the rhythm.
Fun Fact: The term "Everything's Copasetic" was popularized by Bill Robinson to mean "all is well" or "While many parents see tap dance as just a series of noisy steps, it is actually a profound 'cultural alchemy' that teaches children to be both world-class athletes and sophisticated percussionists, bridging the gap between historical resilience and modern stagecraft."
The Music & History:
"Tap dance offers students a unique dual-education: it is a living history of the American 'melting pot'—fusing African rhythm with European structure—that transforms a child’s feet into a musical instrument, fostering a deep mastery of rhythm that benefits them far beyond the dance studio."
Find Your Style: Approach
"From the grounded, improvisational grit of 'Rhythm Tap' to the polished storytelling of 'Broadway Style,' tap dance provides a diverse creative outlet that allows every child to find their voice, whether they aspire to be a jazz musician or a theatrical star."
The Physicality: A professional tap dancer can strike the floor up to 6 to 10 times per second during rapid steps like riffs or paddles.
The History: Tap is one of the few truly indigenous American art forms, with its formal stage debut in the mid-1800s—predating Jazz music as a popularized genre.
The Demographic Shift: While historically dominated by male "hoofers" in the early 20th century, modern studio tap enrollment is approximately 80-90% female, though the "Rhythm Tap" professional scene remains very diverse.Ideas"tip-top."les.wman.
Tap Dance Made Easy - Level 1 - Basic
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