Tap dancing is a creative dance form that uses special shoes with metal pieces. When the foot strikes a hard surface, the shoes create a noise that varies with the type of movement. Not only is it a visually interesting dance form to watch, but kids and adults alike love tapping because of the wonderful sound component. Here’s what you should know about the history of tap dancing.

Where Did Tap Dancing Originate?

Tap dancing started in the United States in the mid-1800s. It’s a fusion of many styles of ethnic movement, including African tribal chants and Scottish and Irish step dancing. Research has suggested that tap emerged in the urban neighborhoods of New York City, where ethnicities mingled and the movements were influenced by the rhythms and sounds of the industrial world people lived in. Dance competitions and minstrel shows were common forms of entertainment in the 1800s, and early forms of tapping were often featured.

How Did It Evolve?

Tap dancing changed over time as new ethnic and musical influences took hold. From around 1870 to the early 1900s, there were essentially three forms—soft shoe, which was graceful and lyrical; buck and wing, which featured kicks, complex steps, and hard-soled shoes; and buck, which was done with clogs. Modern rhythmic tap dancing came from the buck-and-wing style. The metal taps emerged in the 1920s and began being used by chorus lines. As tap became more fashionable, stars like Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire, and Bill Robinson brought the form into the mainstream. Today, tap is as popular as ever, used in everything from Broadway plays to local dance studios.

Tap dancing is a uniquely American dance form, created from a melting pot of cultural traditions. At the Joan Garrett Dance Arts Studio, students of all ages and abilities can learn this unique movement. They offer lessons in tap, jazz, hip-hop, and ballet for the Newark, OH, community. Call (740) 344-8789 to learn more about their current calendar of offerings, and start your dance journey today.