Different Styles of Tap Dancing For Kids
Tap dancing is a vibrant, rhythmic form of dance that captures the imagination of kids and adults alike. As parents and dance instructors look to introduce children to the world of tap dance, understanding its rich heritage is key. This blog post explores the different styles of tap dancing, showcasing how each brings its own flair and character. From the glittering world of Broadway tap to the deeper rhythms of Hoofing, children have a range of styles to choose from. Additionally, readers will learn how to select the appropriate tap style that aligns with their dance goals, skill level, and personal style. This comprehensive guide makes navigating the tap dance world a delightful journey, ensuring children find joy in every tap, shuffle, and stomp.
The Origins of Tap Dance
Tap dance has a rich history that blends the cultural influences of several continents, primarily originating from African and Irish dance traditions. In the early 19th century, enslaved Africans in America adapted their cultural dance expressions into what we now recognize as tap dance. Irish immigrants contributed with their traditional jigs and reels, leading to a fascinating fusion. This unique cultural blend gave rise to a dance style that would eventually captivate audiences across the world.
Through the years, tap dance has continued to evolve, influencing a variety of dance forms and showing up in numerous forms of entertainment. It became especially prominent in minstrel shows, vaudeville performances, and eventually Hollywood musicals and Broadway productions. Tap has been celebrated not only for its expressive potential but also for its auditory element, which turns dancers into musicians in their own right.
Today, tap dance is recognized for its artistic diversity; styles range from the polished grace of Broadway tap to the raw power of rhythm tap. Each style tells a different story, rooted in a shared history that celebrates cultural diversity and artistic expression. Introducing children to these variations can lead them on a creative journey through the expressive language of movement and sound.
Types of Tap Dance
1. Broadway Tap
Broadway tap, often known as show tap, bridges the dramatic world of theater with the rhythmic precision of dance. This style, commonly seen in musical theater productions, emphasizes high-energy choreography, theatrical stories, and elaborate costumes. It is a visually captivating form of dance that often features extensive storytelling through synchronized rhythms and movements.
For kids, Broadway tap is a wonderful introduction to performance arts, combining dance with acting skills. Classes in this style often encourage expressive movements, making it an ideal choice for children who love singing, acting, and movement. It builds confidence and stage presence, key attributes for any budding performer.
With its bright, engaging routines, Broadway tap makes learning fun and captivating for younger dancers. The chance to explore creative expression within a narrative context can help children discover their love for performing arts, establishing a foundation for future theatrical endeavors.
2. Rhythm Tap
Rhythm tap, sometimes called jazz tap, relies heavily on the dancer’s ability to create intricate sounds and complex rhythms. Unlike Broadway tap, which emphasizes the visual, rhythm tap focuses on musicality and improvisation, often performed with live jazz music. This style transforms dancers into percussive instruments as they use their feet to create compelling, syncopated sounds.
Children can benefit immensely from rhythm tap as it develops musical awareness and instills a deep understanding of complex rhythmic patterns. Classes often emphasize ear training and improvisation, both important skills for fostering versatility in young dancers.
Encouraging children to understand music deeply and create their unique sounds can foster creativity and self-expression. Rhythm tap is particularly suited for kids interested in music and those with a strong sense of rhythm, offering a stimulating environment where movement and sound fuse seamlessly.
3. Hoofing
Hoofing is a dynamic, soulful style of tap dance that stems from the African-American experiences in urban environments like Harlem. Known for its powerful, grounded approach to movement, hoofing emphasizes footwork and encourages dancers to dance close to the floor, creating strong, resonant sounds.
This raw, emotive style challenges young dancers to connect closely with the music, focusing on the beat and rhythm rather than choreography. Hoofing is considered a more improvisational form of tap, often involving call-and-response techniques similar to jazz music.
For kids, hoofing offers a sense of freedom and personal expression. As they learn the art of making music with their feet, children also gain insights into the cultural elements influencing this style, enriching their appreciation for dance and its diverse roots.
4. Soft Shoe Tap
Soft shoe tap, an elegant and fluid dance style, is performed without metal taps on the shoes. This substyle prioritizes grace over percussiveness, with dancers creating flowing movements that bring out the musicality of steps. Soft shoe is often found in cabaret and variety performances, emphasizing agility, smooth transitions, and lighthearted entertainment.
This style helps children refine balance, posture, and control, elements that are crucial in many dance forms. Dancers are encouraged to focus on the finesse of each movement, which can enhance their performance quality in other dance styles too.
Soft shoe tap is highly suitable for kids who appreciate the artistic side of dance and want to develop a graceful, yet rhythmic, dance style. It offers a gentle introduction to the broader tap genre, especially for beginners and those who may find rhythm-heavy tap styles challenging.
5. Flat Foot Tap
Flat foot tap is a style rooted deeply in folk traditions, known for its simple, grounded nature. Compared to other tap styles, flat foot emphasizes keeping the foot close to the floor, creating a relaxed, earthy rhythm. This gives dancers a sense of connectedness to the ground as they move naturally and instinctively.
Kids learning flat foot tap benefit from its relaxed nature, making it accessible to beginners. As a style that values authenticity and individual expression, it often feels more like a conversation with the music than a rehearsed performance.
Flat foot tap offers a doorway into exploring cultural dance expressions while building foundational tap skills. It encourages children to embrace dance as a form of expression, hearing and responding to music’s nuances through their movements.
How to Choose the Right Type of Tap Dance for You
1. Consider Your Dance Goals
Choosing the right style of tap dance begins with identifying your or your child’s dance goals. Are you looking for a pathway into the world of theater and performance arts? If so, Broadway tap may be the best fit with its emphasis on performance and storytelling. For those aiming to develop a unique musical voice through dance, rhythm and hoofing tap might be ideal.
By understanding what you want to achieve, be it performance, rhythmic understanding, or a broad dance foundation, you can better align with a style that helps meet those goals. Encouraging kids to articulate their aspirations can lead to more focused dance training and a more fulfilling dance journey.
2. Think About Your Skill Level
Assessing skill level is crucial when selecting a tap dance style. Some styles, like soft shoe and flat foot tap, are more accessible to beginners, offering a gentle learning curve. These styles allow dancers to build core skills without the complexity of intricate rhythms at the start.
More complex styles like rhythm tap or hoofing might be suitable for children already possessing a strong sense of rhythm or for those looking to challenge themselves further. Recognizing personal abilities and readiness can help prevent frustration and promote an engaging learning environment.
3. Explore Your Style
Each child possesses a unique style, both in personality and movement. Whether your child is expressive and theatrical or introspective and rhythmic, there is a tap dance style to suit. Testing different styles can help dancers discover what feels natural and joyful for them.
Parents and instructors can support this discovery process by facilitating exposure to varied dance forms, encouraging experimentation, and promoting an adaptive learning space that embraces diverse dance experiences.
4. Try Different Styles
The world of dance is expansive, and the best way to find the right fit is to try multiple styles. Many dance studios offer classes that cover a variety of tap styles and techniques, allowing children to taste the richness of the tap dance genre.
This exploration not only helps children decide on a style that resonates but also enriches their dance vocabulary. Exposure to multiple styles enhances adaptability and can create a well-rounded dancer capable of fluidly incorporating elements from different tap traditions.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a style of tap dance is a personal journey that depends on individual interest, goals, and abilities. Each style offers distinct advantages, and finding the right fit can lead to a lifelong appreciation of dance. Encouraging children to explore the myriad styles of tap can help them develop essential skills, discover their unique style, and foster a love for the performing arts.
Here is a table that summarizes the essential aspects of each tap dance style to help guide you further:
| Tap Dance Style | Key Features | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Broadway Tap | Theatrical, expressive, performance-focused | Kids interested in musicals and theater |
| Rhythm Tap | Musical, rhythmic, improvisational | Kids with a strong sense of rhythm |
| Hoofing | Grounded, rhythmic, connected to jazz | Kids who enjoy improvisation |
| Soft Shoe Tap | Graceful, flowing, light-hearted | Kids interested in artistic expression |
| Flat Foot Tap | Grounded, simple, authentic | Beginners and kids interested in folk styles |