Tap dancing that gained popularity in the first part of the XX century, has remained one of the best loved dances in the world. Being relatively simple and not requiring musical accompaniment, the danse attracts people by its beauty and ingenuousness. People can danse tap dancing without learning to dance making the dance popular among all age groups. This paper hypostasizes that the fiery performances by tap dances have not lost their repute with the development of other dancing styles, and that tap dancing has retained its popularity and unique atmosphere.
Tap dancing was born in the USA, becoming popular among common people and finding its way into Broadway and then Hollywood. Frequent and rhythmic tapping of shoes with metal tips captured the minds of Americans, despite the Great Depression that swept the country in the late 20s and early 30s of the XX century (Wilham, 2020). People were happy to go to musical performances to admire the performance of their favorite dancers.
The origins of tap dancing can be traced in the ritual dances of the indigenous population of America — the Indians. Their movements during the rites are really somewhat reminiscent of the rhythm of tap dancing. But the true “parents” of the danse are the cultural traditions of Afro-Americans and the Irish, who settled in America back in the XVIII century. The Negroes brought African rhythms to America, and the Irish brought jig.
During the impromptu matches organized by immigrants, racial and other stereotypes were dissolved in the struggle for the best performance of the dance on wooden soles. These competitions did not get into the limelight of the general public until 1830, which is considered the year of tap dancing birth. In 1830, a famous Irish dancer, who performed under the pseudonym Papa Rice, demonstrated a new dance to the public. He combined the jig with some elements of African rhythms, in particular, borrowed certain movements of the legs, shoulders and arms (Wilham, 2020). Papa Rice was greeted with an ovation, and this is how tap dancing appeared. Until the 20s of the last century, the step was inextricably linked with Broadway and the artists who masterfully performed this dance.
With the development of the film industry, step dance acquired a different status. The style was cherished by the directors of musical comedies who gathered full halls introducing step dancing in their performances. The post-war period was considered a golden period in the development of tap dancing. The war was over and people wanted to relax and enjoy the performance of tap dancers. The names of Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Ginger Rogers were pronounced with reverence as they beat a clear rhythm with their shoes turning dance into art.
In the early 50s, the genre was going through a period of stagnation. The government imposed a tax on large orchestras, whose music accompanied most of the step dances. Musicals stop generating income and producers were looking for new ideas for scripts. Step dancing moved to the sidelines of the film industry giving way to ballet scenes. However, At the end of the 60s, film directors began to revive old musicals as well as tap dancing. At the same time, several programs about step were launched on television. All this led to the revival of the style and a new wave of its popularity.
Gradually, step ceased to be perceived only as entertainment. Virtuoso tapping has turned into art. Fans of the genre began to open step dance training schools, and festivals and competitions between step dancers were organized around the country. At present, interest in the style has not faded. Leaving big screens, tap dancing settled in small chamber institutions, where modern dancers continue to beat a clear rhythm in an attempt to gain the status of the most talented tap dancer.
The main features of American tap dancing include free movements which make the dance very graceful and smooth. The European style of tap dancing is more like an Irish or English dance, which is danced on wooden soils. The movements of this style are springier, but the body of the dancers remains motionless (Wilham, 2020). Whatever style is danced, the main feature of this dance is that the performers always improvise, expressing their mood through dance. The purity and elegance of the tap technique, the virtuoso movements of the dancer’s legs in harmony with the music create a spectacular dance, accompanied by a unique auditory series of fractional sounds.
Tap is a charismatic and free dance and the passion the dancers put into their performance is contagious. Born about a hundred years ago, nowadays this style retains its attractiveness due to the relative simplicity and fiery emotions the dancers put into their performance. Turning from screen style into popular dancing genre, tap dancing has remained one of the most loved dances in America for all generations.
Works Cited
Wilham, Elise. “Tap for the Times: A Study of Contemporary Tap Dance.” 2020, Web.