Types Of Tap Dancers

There are two types of tap dancers — the tappers and hoofers. Tappers are made distinct with their upper body and footwork. Dancers of this classical tap dance are often seen blending their footwork with upper body movements similar to that of jazz and ballet. Tappers are more popular in live performance and shows.

Hoofers, on the other hand, are more focused on their footwork than upper body movements. They use very little arm and body movements during performance. Also, the hoofer’s footwork is said to create more accented tapping sounds than tappers. This type of tap requires complete control over your footwork.

History Of Tap

Tap dancing has a very involved history. According to historians, the origin of tap dancing is influenced by dancers from England, Ireland, Africa, and Spain.

England’s version of the tap is called the Lancashire Clogging. Modern-day tap is also quite similar to Irish performance and social dances, like the Sean-nos and “stepdancing” — as seen in the performance of “Riverdance” in 1994. The intricate footwork of the Juba dance of Africa also influenced modern-day tap dancing; as well as the Spanish Flamenco.

Despite its lack of accurate historical background, tap dancing has been in the limelight of many performance and events in the early 1900′s. From 1930 to 1950, tap has made it into broadway shows, movie flicks, and even television series that is quite popular even today. In most cases, experts agree that tap is a blend of cultures as dancers spread the art to different countries around the globe.

Tap Shoes

The shoes for tap dancing are simple footwear commonly in colors black or brown with metal taps on both heels and front. White is also a favorite color for stage performances. Though shoes with heels are preferred due to the sounds they make that goes well with intricate footwork, many have found flat shoes to be comfortable as well and is a common choice for simpler tap routines. Also, tap shoes should have a snug or tight fit on the dancer’s feet for better control over their footwork.

Taking Classes

If you want to learn tap dancing then it is best if you take classes where instructors can fully supervise your movements. This dance routine might look simple at first, but the intricate footwork takes a lot of practice to master. In most cases, instructors would often start with warm-up exercises and stretching before moving on to basic tap movements for dancers to produce tapping sounds and avoid excess taps. Classes would normally take an hour and a majority of the time is spent producing quality tap sounds and mastering your footwork before moving on to more complicated dance routines.

Square dance is a classic art and dance form that was popularly paired with country and western American music. It involves vigorous dance routines in a single set that is performed by a group of four couples. Hence, each could make up one side of the square, which explains the name for this particular dance style.

When performing square dance, there is a caller nearby that calls out instructions to the dancers through the microphone to ensure cooperation amongst all dancers. Thus, the dancers on the floor has to perform whatever dance moves, spins, steps, and turns that is being called out by the instructor.

History and Evolution

This dance form has a long history that dates back to the 17th century, wherein it evolved from a different dance style known as quadrille. It also distinctively featured dance moves extracted from the Morris dance that was innovated around the same time period. As this particular dance style grew on popularity and was introduced in the US, more steps were added and some regions might even have their own variety that is distinct from the others. As it was introduced in the west, more square dancing forms were developed.

The traditional form of square dancing was most popular in the Appalachians, though. It often involves clogging and could either be done in quadrille form or not, but are combined with Scottish or Irish music. The western variety of square dance was distinct for its use of intricate footworks, which depend on the moves being called out by the caller on a microphone. Between 18th to 19th century in the US, this dance form was performed informally.

Role of Instructor or Caller

The caller plays one of the most vital roles during performance of square dance, hence each aspiring dancer need to understand what their role is. The main rule in square dancing is simple: listen to the caller!

Aside from calling out the moves to be performed by the caller on the floor, it is also the caller’s responsibility to gauge the progress of a student. This will help a student’s learning pace and to speed up the process of improvement with their learning. Hence, student dances are often recommended by callers for beginners to ensure that they begin at a level that they can handle.

Square Dance Lesson

When you choose to enter into a square dance lesson, it is important to equip yourself with the basic knowledge of what goes on during each session so you can come into each class well prepared. Most square dance lessons are sponsored by dance clubs that specialize in this particular dance style. As the caller instructs basic calls, the student gradually makes their way to the mainstream level. From the mainstream level, you move onto the Plus level.

The period of transition between each dance level would vary based on the intensity of the classes, number of students, and the skill level of the student. The level at which the caller is teaching could also be an important factor. It is not only beginners that enroll into a square dance lesson, experienced square dancers also attend these classes with the hope of learning new techniques and enhancing their skill level.

Enrolling into a Square Dance Lesson

If you are interested in attending a square dance session, below are some tips on finding classes to enroll into. Furthermore, you need to consider basic factors when choosing the right class for you:

• You can inquire into existing dance clubs in your area and ask if they offer classes for beginners. Obtain contact details of the individuals concerned and ask them about specifications to your class.

• Ask them about the frequency of your class. Some might be held daily or bi-weekly, so you must choose depending on your personal schedule.

• Inquire into the cost of the program, as well as the mode of payment.

• Look into possibly getting free lessons, on top of your regular sessions.

• Seek professional opinion from square dancers about the level at which you must begin with. Hence, you can adapt learning at your own natural pace and have more fun with your square dance lessons.

History Of Jazz Dancing

Jazz dancing started its roots in 1950 that stems off from the popular jazz music during that time. The dance form has taken its roots from the African American vernacular dance when captive African slaves entered the country in the 18th and 19th century.

The early jazz dance maneuvers are clearly that of tap dancing. Where performers set their tap sets in line with jazz music. The traditional dance steps of jazz evolved to adapt to different dance styles in the 1950′s, namely Boogie, Swing, Jitterbug, Cakewalk, Lindy Hop, and other popular dances in the mid 19th century.

Modern jazz dance evolved nearing the 20th century when performers has taken their art to the theatrical industry. The traditional dance evolved to include Broadway plays and was later introduced as modern jazz, which was also integrated to dancing competitions and musicals.

The Shoes

Modern jazz dance requires the right footwear to execute complicated footwork with ease. Considering that the dance involves a lot of swings, leaps, and pirouettes common in Ballet routines; the shoes have to be light and sturdy. Jazz shoes are often made from high-quality leather with flat soles for smooth turns and leaps. The soles are also made flat without any protrusions to incorporate the sliding maneuver that many jazz dancers tend to perform on stage. You can imagine this as a leather made ballet shoes if you like.

The Technique

Jazz dance is a blend of different dancing styles, namely ballet. Footwork is essential and requires great leg and foot strength in order to pull it off. If you observe a performer of the art, you will see their moves influenced by the grace and beauty of known styles, like ballet, hip-hop, acro, and contemporary dance moves.

Curriculum of jazz dance classes starts off with basic moves in ballet — namely the improvement of body control and balance. Performers are urged and trained to find their center of gravity in order to execute complicated maneuvers and turns without falling. Another technique common for this dance style is the “spotting”. This allows the dancer to execute pirouettes and turns while maintaining their balance.

There are no fixed steps in a jazz dance. Performers are urged to utilize their creative and personal interpretation of the music to their forms. However, jazz dance choreographers always put their charges to undergo an intensive training to improve their overall leg power and balance to flawlessly execute their unique maneuvers.