If you’re looking for a unique and fun-filled way to improve your physical fitness, mental agility, and creative expression, tap dance might be the perfect activity. Tap dance has been around for over a century and has since become a staple in the entertainment industry. It combines different dance styles resulting in a style of dance that is both physically demanding and artistically rewarding.
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. 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 prevalent in some decades than others, tap remains a dynamic art form and beloved dance style.
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A few characteristics distinguish tap from other forms of dance, the first of which is something called syncopation. Syncopation refers to emphasizing weak upbeats instead of strong ones. It is more commonly described as being “offbeat.” Unlike other forms of dance, tap steps follow a song’s irregular rhythm or harmony, where the taps are used to create an added layer of percussion.
The second distinctive trait is improvisation. Tap dance has a close relationship with improv-heavy jazz, a relationship that makes improvisation an essential aspect of the dance form. Improvisation is also used to improve skills and showcase talent when auditioning or performing. It’s one of the traits of tap that make it so inclusive and fun!
Lastly, certain tap styles require a fair amount of upper body movements. Classical tap, or swing tap, is a form of tap that combines tap, ballet, and jazz dance with acrobatics. It combines upper-body movement with complex leg movements and syncopated footwork. This focus on upper body and lower body and feet movement creates a unique style that provides both a full-body workout and an opportunity to get in tune with your body.
Benefits of Learning Tap?
Tap offers countless benefits, the first being that anyone can do it! While other dance forms may have fitness or skill level restrictions, you can start learning and mastering tap whether you’re 7 or 70. Classes are offered at all levels for all ages, which means no matter when you start, you’ll be able to find a class that suits your specific needs. For example, if tap dancing puts too much stress on your knees or you have some other kind of physical restriction, seated tap dancing might be an excellent option. With seated tap, you still benefit from the health benefits of tap, and more importantly, you still get to have fun! There are also tap dance classes for toddlers, those who want a less formal tap experience, and even those with dreams of Broadway. CourseHorse is a fantastic resource for finding the perfect class for you. Search for tap dance classes online, or see what in-person classes are available near you!
Tap offers numerous mental benefits that can improve your overall well-being. The first of those is stress and anxiety relief. Tap is a form of “dance movement therapy, ” a tool used to relieve anxiety through the psychotherapeutic use of movement. The focus of DMT is to help you better understand the deep connection between your mind and body. Tap requires you to be mindful, focused, active, and strong. Understanding that growing that connection through dance has proven to reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, and even help with pain management.
Learning tap also has positive impacts on mental agility and sharpness. One of the critical benefits of tap dance is the improvement of memory retention. Tap dances train their memory to quickly recall and execute movements by learning new steps and combinations. This skill can translate to another area of life such as remembering names or instructions. In fact, a 2003 study in the New England Journal of Medicine discovered that dance can decidedly improve brain health. The study investigated the effect leisure activities had on the risk of dementia in older adults. They looked at the effects of 11 types of physical activity, including cycling, golf, swimming, and tennis, but found that only dance lowered participants’ risk of dementia. According to the researchers, dancing involves both a mental effort and social interaction, and this type of stimulation helped reduce the risk of dementia.
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.
With tap, much of your focus is on your core. As you dance, your core is engaged, which means the stronger your core, the easier it will be to learn and master tap. Strengthening your core is also naturally going to improve your balance. Your core includes your abdominal muscles, lower back, and hips, all of which are essential for solid balance. Without a strong core and stable balance, you’re more at risk for falls, decreased mobility in your spine, slower reflexes, and lower back injuries.
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!
Learning tap is essential to becoming a well-rounded dancer. Maybe tap isn’t the only dance form you’re interested in. If that’s the case, having a tap background or adding tap to your current skill set will benefit you greatly. Tap dance has a reputation for being a foundational dance style. Through tap dance, students learn to listen, count time signatures, and find rhythm. Tap dancers tend to have a better understanding of how to accent their movements and bring expression to their performance in ways that other dancers may be missing.
How to Start Learning Tap
Tap dance might seem intimidating at first, but it’s a dance style that children as young as three can begin to learn. If you’re thinking of taking dance classes and aren’t sure which style you want to pursue, tap is a recommended place to start due to its accessibility and the skills it builds in coordination and balance.
One of the best ways to learn to tap is in-person. In-person classes offer hands-on guidance as well as the ability to interact with group members and instructors physically. If you’re someone who needs or wants to get out of the house when learning something new, in-person classes offer that traditional avenue you’re looking for. If you’re in the New York area, the 92nd Street Y is a great place to check out in-person tap classes. They hold tap classes for adults with separate sessions for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students. The courses last for one hour and, on average, host 12 students. In the Beginner’s class, students learn the fundamental techniques and vocabulary. The Intermediate class introduces more complex steps and rhythm. The Advanced class focuses on improving technique.
Virtual classes are a great option for those with busy lifestyles such as caretakers, or those with unconventional work schedules such as delivery drivers or servers. Online tap classes are also more accessible, taking any commute time or extra stress out of the equation. Instead, virtual learners can log on at home without any additional prep and be ready for class. However, don’t forget you’ll need to find shoes and a surface when taking classes outside a studio.
Want to completely personalize your learning experience? On-demand classes allow you to work at your own pace on your own time. Also, if you need some privacy while learning something new, an on-demand class might be the perfect fit. Interact and complete course material at a time that best suits your schedule, then reach out to an instructor with any questions.
Online video tutorials are another option. However, it’s important to know that learning tap for free means you’re on your own. You won’t have the benefits an instructor and organized class provide. Unless you are used to providing your own structure to take on new projects or learn new hobbies, you might let tap fall to the wayside. Although at first the free, self-guided option might seem like the way to go, the benefits you’ll get in exchange for paying for a class will be well worth it.
Key Takeaways
- Tap is for all ages and all skill levels
- Tap exercises your mind as well as your body, warding off diseases such as dementia and improving memory retention
- Great way to expand your social circle
- Tap is a full-body, customizable workout
- Strengthens your core, improving balance and overall control
- Provides you with a solid dance foundation that allows you to easily access other forms of dance
- Encourages creative expression and improvisation
- There are different styles of tap, including classical, funk, and rhythm
- There are many different pathways to learn tap, including in-person and virtual guided classes
- You can contact CourseHorse to see what in-person, online, or private classes are available