Introduction to Tap Dance Syllabus
Tap dance Syllabus is a dynamic and exciting form of dance that combines rhythm, coordination, and musicality. This syllabus, compiled by Judi Nelson Baruck, is designed for use by ReCreation Tappers affiliated teachers to provide a structured approach to teaching tap dance. The syllabus includes general information, essential techniques, and common faults in tap dancing, as well as terminology and abbreviations used in tap dance.
Outline of the Article for Tap Dance Syllabus
- Introduction to Tap Dancing
- Benefits of Tap Dancing
- Rhythm and Coordination
- Self-expression
- Accepting Criticism
- Self-analysis
- Performance Skills
- Teamwork
- General Rules for Good Tap Technique
- Proper Body Alignment
- Foot Positioning
- Use of the Balls of the Feet
- Natural Plie
- Clarity and Precision
- Correct Body Placement
- Importance of Ballet and Other Dance Forms
- The Art of Tap Dancing
- Tap Dynamics
- Stylization
- Presentation
- Common Faults in Tap Dance
- Rhythm and Tempo Issues
- Flat-footed Dancing
- Overlapping or Slurring Tap Sounds
- Balance Problems
- Lack of Plie
- Incorrect Toe Positioning
- Legs Too Far Apart
- Terminology and Abbreviations
- Common Tap Terms
- Abbreviations Used in Tap Dance
- Detailed Step Descriptions
- Ball Change
- Ball Tap
- Bombershay
- Brush
- Buffalo
- Catch
- Chug
- Cincinnati
- Cramproll
- Crawl
- Dig
- Drag
- Drawback
- Essence
- Flap/Slap
- Grapevine
- Heel Click
- Heel Drop
- Heel Stand
- Hitch
- Hop
- Irish
- Jump
- Kimbo
- Leap
- Lindy
- Maxie-Ford
- Paddle Step/Turn
- Paradiddle
- Pas de Bourree
- Pick-up/Pull-back/Grab-off
- Riff
- Riffle
- Scissors Step
- Scuff/Scuffle
- Shim Sham
- Shuffle
- Spank
- Stamp
- Step
- Stomp
- Sugar
- Susie-Q
- Time Steps
- Toe Click
- Toe Tap
- Toe Drop
- Touch
- Trench
- Walkout
- Windshield Wiper
- Room Directions and Stage Placement for Tap Dance Syllabus
- Conclusion for Tap Dance Syllabus
- FAQs for Tap Dance Syllabus
Benefits of Tap Dancing
Rhythm and Coordination
Tap dancing enhances your sense of rhythm and improves coordination. Each step requires precise timing and control, making you more attuned to the beat and flow of the music.
Self-expression
Tap dancing is a powerful medium for self-expression. The ability to create complex rhythms with your feet allows you to express your personality and emotions through movement.
Accepting Criticism
Learning tap dance teaches you to accept constructive criticism. This is crucial for growth and improvement, as feedback from teachers helps refine your technique.
Self-analysis
Tap dancing encourages self-analysis. Dancers learn to critique their performances, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments.
Performance Skills
Tap dancing provides opportunities to learn the art of performance. Whether in a class setting or on stage, dancers develop confidence and stage presence.
Teamwork
Tap dancing often involves group routines, fostering a sense of teamwork and collaboration. Dancers learn to work together to create synchronized and polished performances.
General Rules for Good Tap Technique
Proper Body Alignment
Dance with the legs under the hip line except for spacious movements like lunges, draws, and slides. This ensures stability and control.
Foot Positioning
Avoid dancing with feet turned in, except for stylization. Pigeon-toed tap movements can lead to poor form and injury.
Use of the Balls of the Feet
Dance on the balls of the feet, except when creating percussive sounds. This promotes agility and clarity in movements.
Natural Plie
Maintain a natural bend in the knees. Stiff or rigid knees can hinder movement and cause strain.
Clarity and Precision
Execute each tap sound with clarity and precision. Adding accents and syncopation will enhance rhythmic complexity.
Correct Body Placement
Ensure correct body placement to maintain balance and control. Proper posture is key to effective tap dancing.
Importance of Ballet and Other Dance Forms
Ballet training is essential for tap dancers, as it provides a strong foundation. Training in jazz and modern dance also enhances versatility and technique.
The Art of Tap Dancing
Tap Dynamics
Focus on the clarity of sound, emphasis and accent (loud and soft), tonality (high and low), and shading (blending) to create dynamic performances.
Stylization
Express the mood of the music and the essence of the choreography through the use of arms, body, attitude, and stage dynamics. Stylization adds a unique flair to your dancing.
Presentation
How you communicate and convey a feeling, idea, or mood during a routine is crucial. Engage with the audience and bring your performance to life.
Common Faults in for Tap Dance Syllabus
Rhythm and Tempo Issues
Some dancers struggle with feeling the rhythm or tempo of the music. Practice and listening to music can help improve this skill.
Flat-footed Dancing
Avoid dancing flat-footed. Stay on the balls of your feet to maintain agility and clarity.
Overlapping or Slurring Tap Sounds
Ensure each tap sound is distinct. Slurring sounds together can muddy the rhythm and reduce the impact of your performance.
Balance Problems
Incorrect body placement can lead to balance issues. Focus on maintaining proper posture and alignment.
Lack of Plie
Not using a natural plie can limit movement and flexibility. Keep your knees slightly bent to allow for fluid movements.
Incorrect Toe Positioning
Dancing with toes turned in can cause alignment problems and strain. Ensure your toes are positioned correctly.
Legs Too Far Apart
Keep your legs under your hip line to maintain control and stability. Legs too far apart can lead to balance issues.
Terminology and Abbreviations
Common Tap Terms
- Ball Change: Step on the ball of one foot, then step on the ball of the other foot.
- Brush: Strike the ball of the foot on the floor as the knee straightens.
Abbreviations Used in Tap Dance
- ALT: Alternating
- L: Left
- R: Right
- BK: Back
- FL: Flap
- SH: Shuffle
Detailed Step Descriptions for Tap Dance Syllabus
Ball Change
Step on the ball of the right foot, then step on the ball of the left foot, releasing the right foot. This quick transfer of weight accentuates the last foot.
Ball Tap
Begin with the working foot flexed and slightly off the floor. Strike the bottom of the front tap (ball of the foot) on the floor and finish with the foot flexed again.
Bombershay
Step left to the left, lift right toe turned out to the right, spank right crossed front, heel stand right (heel grind), step left to the left.
Brush
Raise the free foot with the knee bent. Strike the ball of the foot to the floor as the knee straightens. A brush can be done to the front, side, or back.
Buffalo
Leap right to the right, shuffle left, leap left crossed back, lifting the right knee. The distinguishing characteristic is that the free leg raises up in front, and the buffalo usually travels sideways.
Catch
Standing on both feet in plie, slide or scoot backward, finishing in releve.
Chug
Stand on one foot and slide or scoot forward with a bent knee. Drop the heel sharply to make a distinct accented sound.
Cincinnati
Single: Spank right, heel drop left, shuffle step right back, reverse to continue. Double: Spank right, heel drop left, shuffle right, heel drop left, step right back, reverse to continue.
Cramproll
Step or leap to the ball of the right foot, ball of the left foot, heel drop right, heel drop left.
Crawl
Step right, heel drop right, toe drop right, heel drop right.
Dig
Strike the ball or heel of the foot next to the supporting foot with a slight forward motion. It carries no weight and remains grounded.
Drag
Stand on one foot and slide or pull the working foot on the floor into a closed position toward the body.
Drawback
Spank right, heel drop left, step right back, reverse to continue.
Essence
Single Front: Step right to the right, brush left, ball change left front right. Double Front: Flap right to the right, brush left, ball change left front right. Back Essence: Spank step right back left, step left to the left, step right in place.
Flap/Slap
(Flap) Execute a brush step forward with weight transfer. (Slap) Execute a brush that ends with a ball tap without weight transfer.
Grapevine
Patterns made by the feet while traveling sideways in a series of steps that alternately cross the feet in front and back.
Heel Click
Stand on the balls of your feet, turn heels inward, and strike them together.
Heel Drop
Begin with the working foot on the floor with the heel raised. Drop the heel, leaving the ball of the foot on the floor.
Heel Stand
Stand and balance your weight on the back edge of one or both heels with the toes lifted from the floor.
Hitch
Stand on one foot in plie, slide or scoot backward, finishing in releve.
Hop
Stand on one foot in plie and spring into the air, landing on the ball of the same foot in plie.
Irish
Front: Shuffle right crossed front of left, hop left, step right crossed front of left. Reverse to alternate. Back: Shuffle right crossed back of left, hop left, step right crossed back of left. Reverse to alternate.
Jump
Stand on both feet in plie and spring into the air, landing on the balls of both feet in plie.
Kimbo
Step back on right in plie, left leg remains straight with heel on the floor. Lean slightly forward in flat back position.
Leap
Stand on one foot in plie and spring into the air, landing on the ball of the opposite foot in plie.
Lindy
Step or flap right to right, ball change left-right to right, step left crossed back of right, step right in place.
Maxie-Ford
Leap right to right, shuffle left to left, leap left, toe tip right crossed back left.
Paddle Step/Turn
Step right to right, adding three ball changes left-right, left-right, left-right.
Paradiddle
Heel dig right, spank right, step right, heel drop right. Reverse to alternate.
Pas de Bourree
Step right crossed back of left, step left to left, step right crossed front of left.
Pick-up/Pull-back/Grab-off
Single: Stand on the ball of one foot in plie with the other off the floor. Spring into the air executing a spank, nerve tap, or ball tap, landing on the same foot. Double: Stand on the balls of both feet in plie. Spring into the air executing a spank on the right, then the left, landing on the right and then the left.
Riff
Basic or Two-count Riff: Stand on one foot and raise the free foot with the knee bent. Strike the ball of the foot to the floor (brush) and follow it immediately with a scuff.
Riffle
Execute a two-count riff followed by a spank.
Scissors Step
Leap right to right, leap left crossed front of right, leap right to right, heel dig left to left.
Scuff/Scuffle
(Scuff) Raise the free foot with the knee bent and the foot flexed. Swing the working leg forward, striking the back edge of the heel tap on the floor. (Scuffle) Execute a scuff immediately followed by a spank. Tap Dance Syllabus
Shim Sham
Original: Stomp, spank step, reverse, stomp spank ball change, stomp, spank step. Alternative: Shuffle step, shuffle step, shuffle ball change, shuffle step. Tap Dance Syllabus
Shuffle
Raise the free foot with the knee bent. Brush the ball of the foot forward on the floor then spank the ball of the foot backward finishing with the knee bent.
Spank
Stand on one foot with the free leg raised forward off the floor. Strike the ball of the foot backward, finishing with the knee bent.Tap Dance Syllabus
Stamp
Strike the whole foot on the floor immediately transferring weight and raising the opposite foot off the floor.
Step
Strike the ball of the foot on the floor immediately transferring weight and raising the opposite foot off the floor.
Stomp
Strike the whole foot on the floor without any transfer of weight. Tap Dance Syllabus
Sugar
A twisting movement executed on the balls of the feet. Step forward on the ball of the right toe, twist right heel outward as you step forward with the left toe. Tap Dance Syllabus
Susie-Q
Heel stand right crossed front of left, heel grind on right as left steps to the left. Tap Dance Syllabus
Time Steps
Single Standard: Shuffle right, hop left, step right, flap left forward, step right in place. Double Standard: Shuffle right, hop left, flap right, flap left forward, step right in place. Triple Standard: Shuffle right, hop left, shuffle step, flap left forward, step right in place. Tap Dance Syllabus
Toe Click
Weight on the heels of both feet, toes raise and turn sharply inward and click together.
Toe Tap
Striking the very front edge of the toe of one foot on the floor with no weight.
Toe Drop
Begin with the working foot on the floor with the toe raised. Forcibly drop the toes to the floor. Tap Dance Syllabus
Touch
Extending and placing any part of the foot (toe, heel) on the floor, no weight. Tap Dance Syllabus
Trench
With weight on one foot and the free leg straight and raised diagonally to the back, slide on the outside edge of the supporting leg, landing on the free foot in the same spot vacated by the standing leg. Tap Dance Syllabus
Walkout
See Crawl.
Windshield Wiper
Stand with weight on one foot and tap the other foot outward and inward in an even rhythm.
Room Directions and Stage Placement
Understanding stage directions is crucial for choreography and performance. Here’s a simple guide:
- US: Upstage (away from the audience)
- DS: Downstage (toward the audience)
- CS: Center Stage
- SR: Stage Right
- SL: Stage Left
Conclusion for Tap Dance Syllabus
Tap dancing is a rich and vibrant art form that offers numerous benefits, from enhancing rhythm and coordination to providing a powerful means of self-expression. By following the general rules and techniques outlined in this syllabus, and by understanding the common faults and terminology, dancers can develop a solid foundation in tap dance. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, the key to success is practice, dedication, and a love for the art form. Tap Dance Syllabus
FAQs for Tap Dance Syllabus
- What is the most important aspect of tap dancing? The most important aspect is rhythm and coordination. Without a good sense of rhythm, it’s challenging to execute the precise and clear sounds that define tap dance. Tap Dance Syllabus
- How can I improve my tap dancing skills? Regular practice, taking feedback constructively, and training in other dance forms like ballet and jazz can significantly improve your tap dancing skills. Tap Dance Syllabus
- What should I focus on to avoid common faults in tap dancing? Focus on maintaining proper body alignment, staying on the balls of your feet, and ensuring each tap sound is clear and distinct. Tap Dance Syllabus
- Why is ballet training important for tap dancers? Ballet training provides a strong technical foundation, enhances flexibility, and improves overall body control, all of which are crucial for tap dancers. Tap Dance Syllabus
- How can I incorporate stylization into my tap dance routines? To incorporate stylization, focus on expressing the mood of the music and choreography through your body movements, arm gestures, and overall attitude during the performance. Tap Dance Syllabus
