Are you curious about learning tap but worried it might be too hard? Of course, the difficulty of learning a new skill is somewhat subjective. The challenges of learning tap depend on factors likeyour instructor, class structure, and prior experience.
Your instructor can affect how difficult it is for you to learn tap. Some instructors gloss over the fundamentals, expecting you to hone those skills on your own time so you can focus on routines during class. With that sort of instructor, you’ll find learning tap more challenging and possibly frustrating. The good news is that you won’t have to worry about that with CourseHorse instructors. They understand how important it is for you to get the basics down before rushing you into routines. You’ll have a much easier time and feel more prepared and confident with your movement if you select a fundamentally focused instructor.
How you choose to learn tap will determine difficulty as well. Self-guided learning is the more convenient option, as it allows for the most schedule flexibility, but it will probably be a more grueling learning process. With a set class structure, learning the basics and progressing over time might prove to be easier. The best and easiest way to become a proficient tap dancer is to join classes with a set structure and instructor. You’ll find there is still a fair amount of flexibility in guided classes if that’s what you need!
If you have experience with other forms of dance, or experience with music and rhythm patterns, tap might be easier for you. If you don’t have any prior experience, it just might take a bit longer. However, if you want to get a leg up before your first day of beginner’s class, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to familiarize yourself with tap vocabulary.
No matter your current schedule or comfort level with tap, plenty of tools are available to help make learning easier than you might think.
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What is Tap?
Tap is a dance style in which a dancer wearing shoes fitted with heel and toe taps creates a signature tapping sound when striking the floor or any other hard surface. There are many different forms of tap, including classical tap, rhythm tap, and funk tap, to name a few.
Tap originated in the United States through the fusion of several ethnic percussive dances, primarily West African sacred and secular step dances, and Irish, English, and Scottish clog dances. Until the last few decades of the 20th century, it was widely believed that tap was born from enslaved Africans and Irish indentured servants observing each other’s dance styles on Southern plantations. However, researchers have recently suggested that tap was nurtured in urban environments such as the Five Points District in New York City. This district was home to various ethnic groups that lived side by side and were in constant contact with the distinctly urban rhythms and syncopations of the machine age.
Since its introduction into American culture, tap has continued to evolve and change. In fact, tap dance as it is known today did not emerge until the 1920s when taps nailed or screwed into shoe soles at the toes and heels became popular. Although more popular in some decades than others, tap remains to this day a dynamic art form and beloved dance style.
Benefits of Learning Tap?
There are many physical benefits to tap dancing as well. Learning even a few basic patterns will give you a great workout, but that’s just the start. Tap dancing is a great form of cardiovascular exercise that improves your overall cardiovascular health. It’s also an awesome way to build strength not only in your muscles and joints in your legs, but also in your feet and ankles, giving you a solid physical foundation. An hour of tap dancing is thought to burn anywhere between 200 and 600 calories, depending on your pace, the sequence of the steps, and the effort used in an hour. You can use tap as casual exercise or really ramp up the effort for a more intense workout.
Learning tap is also a great way to expand your social circle. In-person and online tap classes are a great way to meet people. Most studio classes will have at least ten people, and you can join classes based on your skill level to help avoid any first-day anxiety. If you’re a beginner, join a beginner’s tap class such as Tap (Beginner)! This online course is for beginners ages 18 and older. The average class size is around 12, so you’ll have a good chance of meeting someone new without feeling overwhelmed. You’ll learn and refine the fundamentals of tap while mastering tap vocabulary and technique. On the other hand, if you’re becoming more of an expert, join a class where your instructor and classmates will challenge you.
Everyone can benefit from having a creative outlet, and tap is an excellent one. In fact, tap wouldn’t even exist without creative people and groups evolving what it looks like today. Tap is a unique art form that provides endless opportunities for self-expression. It allows you to showcase your personal style and creativity through movement, one of the reasons why improvisation is so important to the dance style. Tap (Open Level) is the perfect class for those looking to embrace their creative side through dance. You’ll need to have learned the basic tap foundations so you can focus on the class’s blend of styles, but other than that, all levels are welcome. You’ll learn everything from classic tap to rhythm tap, so finding your preferred style to express yourself should be an easy task!
What Are the Hardest Parts of Learning Tap?
It’s always a good idea to be prepared when starting something new, and tap is no exception. Tap dance is one of the most creative and rewarding styles you can learn. There are so many wonderful benefits to taking up tap. However, there are a few obstacles you might need to overcome to get started. First, you need to sign up for and attend a class! Sometimes the hardest obstacle is walking through the door for the first time. It’s normal to be anxious or even scared when starting a new venture, but taking that first leap is half the battle. If you aren’t sure what class is right for you, or if you have any other questions, CourseHorse has a contact form you to can use to connect with someone who can help!
Giving tap the time it needs will also be an adjustment. Not only will you be learning how to mentally and physically adjust your body to the demands of tap, but you’ll also need to find time to practice. You’ll also need to be patient when learning to tap. It’s not a dance form you’ll master in a few weeks. Most instructors agree it can take anywhere from six months to two years to feel confident in your tap skills. Rest assured, the time you spend learning tap will be well worth it!
Lastly, you’ll need to be comfortable learning from your mistakes. At first glance, tap looks like a relatively straightforward dance style, but that isn’t the case. As you learn, you will make mistakes, but that’s okay! Learning from those mistakes is key. In a guided class, instructors are there to correct any foot that might be out of place, giving you a safe environment to try, fail, learn, and move forward.
What You Need to Learn Tap
You’ll need to pick up a few things before your first tap class. The first is tap shoes! A quality pair of tap shoes is a necessary investment for anyone looking to start or continue their journey in tap. Grab a pair from a dance shop if you can. If not, check out Capizeo to find a selection of tap shoes, including the popular Cadence tap shoe. Decide what best suits you, but avoid “split-sole” tap shoes.
If you’re taking guided classes online, you’ll also need a space to dance! You can make your own tap floor or purchase one. Many videos demonstrate how to craft your own tap dance floor that you can find with a simple online search. If you’d rather buy one, FASFOOT is a great company to check out. Beginners can get away with more creative surface solutions until a tap floor can be secured, but remember to never tap directly on concrete.
Not necessarily required, but great for practice, is a metronome app. The metronome app will help you chart your progress! Some free options exist, but TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome is recommended for a small fee.
A music practice tool for speeding up and slowing down music is handy to have as well. Look into Anytune or Amazing Slow Downer in the app store. Lastly, make sure you have plenty of water, a towel, and a large mirror!
Key Takeaways
- Tap dance is an excellent form of exercise
- Learning tap can help you meet new people and expand your social circle
- Tap is an excellent option for those looking for a creative outlet
- How difficult it is to learn tap depends on your instructor, class structure, and prior experience.
- Make sure you understand where a class takes place, if it has any prerequisites, and any other details before you enroll in a class
- CourseHorse offers in-person, online, and private group tap classes for you to choose from.