The History of Tap Dancing

 

We tap dance often, expressing our passion with our bodies. But how many tap dancers actually know where the art originates from? Not very many. Read along to find out!

Tap dancing is a unique dance form that originated in America. It represents a blend of different cultural traditions, especially African and European dance styles. The history of the dance goes back many centuries and shows broader cultural change in the United States. 

Tap dancing began in the 18th and early 19th century when African enslaved people in America combined their dance traditions with European forms. Common ones are like Irish Jigs, English clog dancing, and Scottish step dancing. Since these enslaved people were sometimes forbidden from using drums, they used their feet, hands, and voices to create rhythm. Over time, this led to percussive footwork that became the foundation of tap. 

The popularity of tap rose in the mid 1800s where it was gaining attention through shows. By the early 1900s, tap had evolved even further and was introduced in theaters. Performers developed distinct styles and techniques, which eventually led to different styles of tap dancing. The main ones at the time were rhythm (or jazz) tap and Broadway tap. 

Tap dancing reached peak popularity in the 1930s to 1950s. This kind of dancing was in many musical films where famous actors and actresses made tap a central feature of the musicals. Their style became iconic and known worldwide. 

Unfortunately, by the 1960s and onwards, the popularity of tap dancing declined. However, it never actually disappeared. In the late 20th century, artists like Gregory Hines and Savion Glover revived interest by emphasizing tap’s roots in rhythm and jazz improvisation. Tap dancing today continues to evolve with modern music and styles. It is being taught worldwide and enjoyed by many dancers. 

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