Tap Dancing

Figure 1.--While not popular with most boys, some are very enthusiatic about tap. This is probably because the noise appealed to them and the fact it was generally considered a male dance form. The lack of elaborate costuming could havde been another factor.

Tap dancing is an indigenous American step dancing form. It is related to the step dancing of Ireland and Scotland, but developed out of a dance form that was created by black slaves in the southern United States. The current evolution of tap dancing consists of a performance in syncopated rhythms and executed with lud audible foot work--including tapping with both the toes and heels in specially designed shoes. While initially considered a slave dance it eventually was accepted by main stream America. It was popularized in the 1920s by film stars and became one of the more acceptable dance styles for boys.

History

Tap dancing is an indigenous American step dancing form. It is related to the step dancing of Ireland and Scotland, but developed out of a dance form that was created by black slaves in the southern United States. It was in fact an outgrowth of the harsh measures adopted throughout the South after the Stono slave rebellion in 1739. Black slaves were prohibited from "... beating drums, blowing horns or the like." The measure was taking to restrict means of communication. Slaves for celebrations substituted instead hand claps and footbeats. Eventually the footbeats evolved into a form of entertainment. Black dancers by the late 1830s were performing step dances on stage. One of the most renowned was William Henry Lane (Juba). About the same time Irish and Lancashire step dances performing on hard wooden clogs were also becoming popular. These two forms of step dancing evolved into modern tap dancing and clog dancing. By the end of the 19th century, clog dancing had declined in popularity, but continues today as a folk dance.

While initially considered a slave dance it eventually was accepted by main-stream America. A noted producer in 1902 introduced a blackface reviewm Minstrel Misses. They wore clogs with split wooden soles and their routein was called "tap and step dancing"--the first use of the term. Tap dances increased in popularity throughout the early 20th century. Soon tap dancing was a regular feature of Vaudeville. Dancers in 1912 began putting metal cleats on their beels and toes. Routiens began to resemble modern tap dancing.

Tap dancing before World War I (1914-18) was still associate with Black Americans. One of the most renowned was the phenomenal Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1878-1949). White Americans watched him dance with Shirley Temple and suddently children all over America were learning to tap dance. Tap dancing was further main streamed by a series of white dancers--all male, Fred Astaire, Ray Bolger, Gene Kellym and Paul Draper. While there were still masterful black dancers by the 1940s, tap dancing was no longer seen as a "Black" dance.

Dance Form

The current evolution of tap dancing consists of a performance in syncopated rhythms and executed with lud audible foot work--including tapping with both the toes and heels in specially designed shoes. Vaudevill dancers tended to keep the upper body relax and emphasize the rhyymic suncopation in the feet.

Popularity

Mothers in the early 20 centuries became increasingly concerned that their children be exposed to the fine arts, including music and dance. Many Americans benefitted by the country's expanding industrial economy. Mothers who had humble beginnings wre determined thatvtheir sons learn the social graces, Few boys, especially white boys, however, studied tap dancing which was considered rather vulgar. This did not change until the 1930s when Shirley Temple danced with Bill Robinson. It was further popularized in the 1930s and 40s by film stars and epic Hollywood musical productions.

Tap dancing became one of the more acceptable dance styles for boys. Despite the fact that Shirley Temple tapped, tap dancing was generally considered a man's routien which was furher conformed by the great male dance and film stars of the 1930s. Another factor was that the noise appealed to them. Tap dancing was also popular with boys because elaborate, fancy costumes were not required.

Clothes

Tap shoes

The only special clothing item needed for tap fancing was a dance shoe with metal cleats. The early buck dancers used shoes with wooden soles and heels. There were also 'split clog' tap shoes. These shoes were used as early as 1920. Capezio has a patent on them. They were used by Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson, Eleanor Powell and Ann Miller. Split clogs are hardwood beechwood soles in three sections with beveled edges and honeycomb hollow wood heels. When split clogs are used there are no aftertones but a solid tone, thereby enhancing one's tapping technique." These are still available and can be heard on the cassette of "My One and Only" danced by Tommy Tune.) Metal taps were employed later and aluminum became the standard. There were also jingle taps used earlier which were metal taps with a washer loose under the tap for more sounds.

Figure 2.--These boys are dresses as clowns. Notice that these boys wears similar costumes, except for the color of their sleeves and tights. HBC had thought they were in a balet, but an astute HBC contributor points out that the boys wear tap shoes and not balet dance shoes. He also believes that the dancers are probably girls with their hair tied back. He reports that hechas done quite a bit of dancing and honestly can't imagine getting that many boys to wear what are considered girls' tap shoes. HBC simply does not know the identity of the dancers here, but they certainly look like boys.

There are both boy and girl style dancing shoes. The girls' style are made like a Mary Jane strap shoe. Boys' styles more like an oxford. In both cases theybare usually black.

Costumes

Men and boys usually danced in suits. Some performances, however involved costuming. Just costuming could vary widely. One performance pictured here shows boys peforming a tap dance in clown costumes.