Welcome to Tap Dance
Tap dance is the art of creating percussion with your feet. It's a uniquely American dance form that transforms dancers into musicians, combining rhythm, technique, and personal expression into one exciting art form.
The Magic of Tap
In tap dance, your feet become musical instruments. Metal plates attached to your shoes create a variety of sounds, from crisp taps to sliding brushes to thundering stomps. It's percussion you can see!
- Develops incredible musicality and rhythm
- Builds coordination and quick thinking
- Encourages individual style and creativity
- Provides amazing cardiovascular exercise
- Builds confidence through improvisation
- Connects you to American dance history
Tap at Dance House Productions
Our tap program celebrates both the traditional roots and modern evolution of this vibrant art form. Students learn classic steps alongside contemporary choreography, always with an emphasis on personal style and musical expression.
From beginning tappers learning their first shuffle-ball-change to advanced students mastering complex rhythmic patterns, we create an environment where every dancer can find their unique tap voice while building solid technical skills.
History & Cultural Heritage
Tap dance is a melting pot of cultures, born from the fusion of African rhythms, Irish step dancing, and American innovation.
African Foundations (1600s-1700s)
Enslaved Africans brought rich rhythmic traditions to America. When drums were banned, they found other ways to maintain their musical heritage through foot percussion and body rhythms, laying the groundwork for tap dance.
Irish Influence (1800s)
Irish immigrants brought traditional step dancing, with its emphasis on intricate footwork. The fusion of African rhythm with Irish technique created something entirely new and uniquely American.
Minstrel Era (1800s)
Despite its problematic history, minstrel shows helped spread tap dance. African American performers like Master Juba (William Henry Lane) gained recognition and helped establish tap as a theatrical art form.
Vaudeville Golden Age (Early 1900s)
Tap flourished in vaudeville theaters. Legendary performers like Bill "Bojangles" Robinson revolutionized tap with his light, clean style and brought it to mainstream America.
Hollywood Era (1930s-1940s)
Movies made tap stars of Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly, and the Nicholas Brothers. Tap reached its commercial peak and became synonymous with American entertainment.
Revival & Evolution (1970s-Present)
After a decline in the 1950s-60s, tap experienced a revival with shows like "No, No, Nanette" and dancers like Gregory Hines. Today's tap continues to evolve while honoring its heritage.
Fundamental Tap Sounds
Every tap dancer builds their vocabulary starting with these essential sounds. Each sound has its own character and contributes to the rhythmic conversation.
Tap
A single sound made by striking the floor with the ball of the foot. The foundation of all tap dancing.
Heel
A single sound made by striking the floor with the heel. Creates a deeper, fuller tone than a tap.
Toe
A single sound made by striking the floor with the tip of the toe. Often softer and more delicate than other sounds.
Brush
A sweeping sound made by brushing the ball of the foot across the floor. Creates a softer, sliding percussion.
Shuffle
Two sounds: brush forward, then spank back. One of the most recognizable tap sounds and building blocks.
Flap
Two sounds: brush, then tap. Creates a quick, snappy rhythm that's essential to tap vocabulary.
Ball Change
Step on the ball of one foot, then change weight to the other foot. A fundamental weight transfer.
Stomp
The whole foot strikes the floor with a weight change. Creates a strong, emphatic sound and accent.
Building Your Sound Vocabulary
Just like learning a language, tap starts with simple "words" (individual sounds) that combine into "sentences" (steps and combinations). As dancers progress, they learn to speak fluently in rhythm, eventually developing their own unique accent and style.
Essential Tap Terminology
Tap has its own rich vocabulary of steps and techniques. Here are the fundamental terms every tap dancer should know.
Tap Shoes & Equipment
The magic of tap dance literally happens at your feet. Understanding tap shoes helps you make better sounds and protects your investment.
Anatomy of a Tap Shoe
Toe Tap
Metal plate on the toe creates sharp, crisp sounds for taps and brushes.
Heel Tap
Metal plate on the heel produces deeper, fuller tones for heel drops and stomps.
Shoe Material
Leather provides durability and proper fit, while the sole affects sound resonance.
Choosing Beginner Shoes
- Fit: Snug but comfortable, like a good sneaker
- Style: Oxford or Mary Jane for stability
- Taps: Aluminum taps are good for beginners
- Heel: Low heel (1-1.5 inches) for balance
- Budget: Start with student-grade shoes
Shoe Care Tips
Clean taps regularly to maintain sound quality. Store in a breathable bag, and replace worn taps promptly. Well-maintained shoes last years and sound better!
Advanced Considerations
- Tone Bars: Professional taps with different tones
- Toe Taps: Different shapes for different sounds
- Heel Height: Higher heels for advanced dancers
- Custom Fitting: Professional fitting for serious dancers
- Multiple Pairs: Different shoes for different styles
What NOT to Use
- Regular shoes with metal plates attached
- Shoes that are too big or too small
- Plastic "tap" shoes (they don't make proper sounds)
- Worn-out shoes with loose taps
What to Expect in Tap Class
Tap classes are energetic, musical, and progressive. Here's what a typical class includes.
Warm-Up (5-10 minutes)
Basic sounds, foot exercises, and simple combinations to prepare the body and ears for more complex work. Often includes rhythm clapping and counting.
Technique Building (15-20 minutes)
Learning and practicing individual sounds, then combining them into steps. Focus on clarity, timing, and proper technique.
Traveling Steps (10-15 minutes)
Steps that move across the floor like shuffles, time steps, and buffalo. Builds coordination and spatial awareness.
Combination & Performance (10-15 minutes)
Putting it all together in choreographed pieces. Emphasis on musicality, style, and performance quality. Often includes improvisation time.
Age-Appropriate Adaptations
Younger students (ages 4-7) focus on basic sounds, rhythm games, and creative movement. Older students tackle more complex rhythms and longer combinations. Advanced students explore improvisation, different tap styles, and performance techniques.
Tap Skill Progression
Tap dancers develop their skills systematically, from basic sounds to complex rhythmic conversations.
Beginning Tap (Ages 4-7)
Basic sounds (tap, heel, toe), simple combinations, marching, rhythm games, and creative movement. Focus on fun and basic coordination.
Elementary Tap (Ages 8-10)
Shuffle-ball-change, basic time steps, simple traveling steps, and introduction to musicality. Students learn to count and clap rhythms.
Intermediate Tap (Ages 11-14)
More complex combinations, faster tempos, wings, pullbacks, and basic improvisation. Introduction to different tap styles and history.
Advanced Tap (Ages 15+)
Complex rhythmic patterns, advanced steps like wings and cramp rolls, improvisation skills, and performance techniques. Focus on personal style development.
Professional Level
Master-level technique, original choreography, teaching skills, and deep understanding of tap history and styles. Ability to improvise fluently and develop personal voice.
Benefits of Tap Dance Training
Tap dance offers unique benefits that extend far beyond the studio, developing both artistic and practical life skills.
Musicality & Rhythm
Tap develops exceptional musical skills, timing, and the ability to feel and express complex rhythms. These skills transfer to all music and movement activities.
Brain Development
Complex foot patterns while listening to music builds neural pathways, improves coordination, and enhances cognitive function and memory.
Quick Thinking
Improvisation and rapid rhythm changes develop mental agility, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think on your feet—literally!
Cardiovascular Fitness
Tap is an excellent aerobic workout that builds stamina, leg strength, and overall fitness while being incredibly fun and engaging.
Self-Expression
Tap encourages individual style and creativity. No two dancers sound exactly alike, promoting confidence in personal expression.
Achievement & Goals
Learning complex steps and mastering rhythms provides measurable achievements, building confidence and goal-setting skills.
Ready to Make Some Noise?
Join our tap family and discover the joy of rhythm, the thrill of improvisation, and the satisfaction of making music with your feet. Tap into your potential at Dance House Productions!
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