Tap dance

Tap dance is a uniquely American art form that blends dance with percussion. Instead of just moving to a beat, the dancer creates the beat using special shoes. The metal taps on the shoes strike the floor to create rhythmic sounds. This can be done with musical accompaniment or performed "a cappella," which means the taps provide the only music.

Because the dancer produces sound, they are essentially a percussionist. This art form is deeply connected to the history of jazz music and various cultural traditions.

To understand how tap works, one must look at the specialized equipment. Modern tap shoes feature metal taps on both the heel and the toe.

Dancers choose between two main types of soles. A full-sole shoe has a continuous base material under the foot. A split-sole shoe has a gap under the arch, which provides more flexibility for complex movements. The heels are typically made of wood or stacked leather, though beginners might use plastic heels. These tools allow dancers to execute various "one-sound steps," such as heel drops, toe taps, brushes, and scuffs.

Advanced dancers combine these basic movements into complex patterns called time steps. A time step is an umbrella term for any combination of steps that follows a specific rhythm. Dancers can perform single, double, or triple variations of these patterns. They may also add a "pickup," which is an extra brush sound added to a step. Beyond simple steps, dancers perform intricate turns like the Maxi Ford turn or the cramp-roll turn.

They can even perform "toe stands," where they balance on the tips of their toes.

Tap dance emerged from a fusion of diverse cultural traditions. It began blending African rhythms, such as the Central African djouba, with European styles like the Irish jig and Welsh clog. This fusion started as early as the 17th century but gained popularity by the mid-19th century. As minstrel shows declined, tap moved to the Vaudeville stage. During this era, segregation and the "two-color rule" often prevented Black dancers from performing solos. This led to the rise of famous duets, such as the "Class Act" performed by Buck and Bubbles.

History shows many legendary figures who shaped the craft. Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was a massive celebrity who broke barriers by performing as a solo Black dancer in 1908. The Nicholas Brothers, Fayard and Harold, became famous for adding acrobatic feats to their style. In one famous six-minute film performance, they danced on pianos and performed leapfrogs into splits.

In the 1930s, tap even integrated with the Lindy Hop through moves like "flying swing outs." While jazz dance eventually evolved into its own separate form, it shares many moves with tap.

Today, the art is divided into two major styles: Broadway tap and rhythm tap. Broadway tap is often seen in musical theater and emphasizes dance and showmanship. It frequently uses high-heeled shoes and is often the first style taught to beginners. Rhythm tap, also called jazz tap, focuses on musicality and improvisation. Practitioners of rhythm tap often call themselves "hoofers."

Hoofers focus on the feet and stay closer to the floor to emphasize intricate percussive sounds. Some modern innovators have even created the "tap opera," a long-form style that tells a complete story through dance.

Tap dance continues to influence modern culture and media. The 1979 documentary "No Maps on My Taps" helped spark a recent revival of the art. The animated film "Happy Feet" also brought tap to a massive global audience. In the United States, National Tap Dance Day is celebrated every May 25. This date was chosen to honor the birthday of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. From solo hoofers to large theater productions, tap remains a powerful way to communicate through rhythm.