You might worry that tap will be too hard to learn. This guide will help you understand the best methods for learning tap and what you should study first to make the learning process easier. This way, you’ll be successful however you choose to apply your new skills.
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.
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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 an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise that improves your overall cardiovascular health. It’s also a fantastic 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!
Is Tap Easy to Learn?
Tap will come easier to some than others, but the key is finding the right learning structure. Tap instructors understand the importance of the basics as well as feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin, which is why CourseHorse offers classes at all levels. If you’re a beginner, you’ll master the basics first, then naturally progress into more complex steps. When it comes to tap, all you need to succeed is perseverance and motivation.
What You Need to Know Before Learning Tap
You should be aware of a few things before enrolling in a tap class. First, some classes or going to be either in-person or online only. Sometimes they are offered with both options, but you’ll want to make sure you’re reading the fine print. Second, some tap classes require prerequisites, meaning you’ll need to be at a certain level with your skill to enroll in certain classes. Don’t worry, though! There are many options to learn and master the basics. Lastly, tap isn’t a casual hobby. It requires a fair amount of dedication and time, so make sure you understand what you’re trying to accomplish with tap before taking a class.
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
- Make sure you understand where a class takes place, if it has any prerequisites, and any other details before you enroll in a class
- You’ll need a pair of tap shoes
- CourseHorse offers in-person, online, and private group tap classes for you to choose from