by Yasir Wazir

Created on: May 05, 2009

Tap Dance:

Tap dance is an exciting type of dance, in which, the dancers wear especially equipped shoes with metal plates. The dancers use their feet like drums in order to produce the rhythm and the beats.

The name has been derived from the tapping sound when the dancer touches the surface with his shoes having metal plates on it.

History of tap dance:

Tap dance was developed in the United States, during 19th century, but it has number of influences from other countries including Africa, India, West Indies, Ireland and Spain. The pure American form of Tap dance is associated with few names including Master Juba, George H.Primrose, King Rastus Brown and Bill Robinson.

Tap dancing started with Africans in early America, who were called as "Levee dancers."
Tap dancing and Irish Clogging have the same roots. Irish Jigs and Hornpipes were considered the most difficult of the Irish clogs, in which the feet can tap for more than 70 times in 15 seconds.

The term "Tap dance" was professionally used in 1902, through a show created by Ned Way burn. The dancers used light clogs with split wooden soles. The origin of Buck and Wing, or Buck dancing is an early type of Tap dance done in 19th century, portraying a character style taken of African-American males called "Bucks."

The Shim-Sham or Shim-Sham-Shammy was a routine Tap dance by Vaudeville performers in early 19th century, which is also taught in today's classes. Another dance called as "Black Bottom," started in New Orleans, was basically a solo dance normally danced on "off" beat. It is considered to be a variant of modern tap dancing.

The Malaguena (Flamenco) is a non-formal folk dance from Andalucia, Spain. It consists of many rhythms including, Alegria, Soleares, Bulerias, Farruca, Zapateado, Tango and Zambra. The heel work done in Flamenco is called Taconeo.

Tap shoes:

Tap shoes are available in a variety of styles. Some dancers use flat shoes while some go for the heels. The popular colors for the shoes are black, white and beige. The taps used, should be of the same width as the heel and toes of the shoes.

Tap Dance:

The most important feature of tap dance is to produce clear and clean sounds mostly by the balls of the feet. The knees and ankles should be kept relaxed. One of the most commonly used tap dance is a "classical tap," in which the dancers normally use their arms and upper body to move with the tap steps, while "hoofers" are the tap dancers who use their foot with no or minimal use of their upper body. This

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>