Tap dancing is one of the unique forms of dance. One can find the origins of tap dancing in Southern Europe and Western Africa, where it developed over the last two thousand years.
However, it flourished and began forming its style when it developed from the fusion between Irish and West African clog and step dancing in the early 1900s.
Where Did Tap Dance Come From?
Tap dancing is one of the most complex dance forms out there. Toe taps, rhythm, theatrical movements, control progress—these techniques make tap dance a fantastic way to learn. Historically, this dance emerged as a fusion between British and African step dance styles to eventually become a form of recreation.
West African-Irish Origin
Tap dancing is a dance in which a performer wears shoes with a stiletto heel and toe taps by continuously tapping the floor to produce audible beats.
Additionally, tap is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 1900s in Southern areas where African and Irish were observing each other perform.
It was popularized in the theater and has evolved into a style found across the country.
As you can see, no restrictions apply when tap dancing. All is allowed as long as it sounds good, including leaping, sliding, splitting, and spinning.
Tap dancing is always joyful and never depressing. Musicality is by far the most significant component!
Musicals and Big Screens
Small portable platforms for tap dancing soon gave way to theater’s most prominent stages.
They enriched tap dancing with a musical element and used it to connect with the audience and a storyline.
However, tap remained well in certain Theaters and Downtown, and creators versed in other professions started to pay attention to it.
One of them, George Balanchine, created “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue” in 1936 On Your Toes’ original production rendition and included tap dancing.
Generally, tap is the concept for a Broadway production. If it continues to exist, it has a better possibility of being a resounding hit!
The Invention of Tap Shoes
Small metal pieces were first attached or fastened to the feet and heels of dance shoes to produce the first tap shoes, which were developed in the 1920s.
In the beginning, tap shoes were traditionally mounted with penny or nails to achieve a unique striking sound.
In most cases, you can learn some basic motions with or without tap shoes, but that is inadequate because tapping is effective only when wearing a shoe.
Tap shoes enable you to experience the ground differently.
Will Keep on Thriving and Progressing
All ages of performers now love learning tap, and you can learn it at many dance schools.
Additionally, the artistic work of dance moves has evolved over time and significantly impacted a global culture.
For the African American community and the rest of the world, tap dancing is music’s counterpart.
Culture is like tap dance. It is similar to air and everything else that we need to thrive.
Generally, enthusiastic performers inspire each other to protect tap dancing so that it can flourish for generations to come!
As you can see, tap dance has come a long way. It has also expanded from a simple rhythm to more complex movements in many areas, such as musicals and big screens.
If we look at the past and present of tap dance, there’s no doubt that this style will continue to thrive and perhaps even expand into other areas.
Find out if tap is hard to learn?
