Tap Dancing Classes: The History of Tap Dance

September 29, 2017

Tap is a style of dancing in which the dancer wears shoes that include metal plates on the heels and toe areas on the bottom of the shoes. The plates allow the dancers to produce distinctive, audible sounds with each dance step that they perform on a hard floor. We share a bit of the history of tap dance below in order for you to understand why so many across this country take tap dancing classes each year.

A Brief History of Tap Dancing

Tap dancing humble beginnings took place in the United State of America and was heavily influenced by African tribal, Irish, Scottish and English dances. At one time, it was thought that the Irish indentured servants and African slaves observed and copied each other’s dance moves while living and working on plantations in the South to create what we know as tap dancing today. However, further research has now been performed into this type of dancing and the conclusion is now that the tap dancing evolved from the mixed-ethnic groups interacting in urban settings such as parts of New York City. Whichever version of the origins of tap is true, the dance form still started in the United States.

During the 1800s, competitions or cutting contests were a popular source of entertainment and presented talented dancers with challenges to exhibit and perfect their skills. One such contest took place between John Diamond, an Irish Dancer and William Henry Lane or as he was known ‘Master Juba’, a black dancer in 1844. Also, the minstrel show was one of the other forms of entertainment to showcase this type of dance up until about 1870.

Over the years, various styles of tap dancing came about including soft-shoe dancing that produced a shuffling sound as it was performed by dancers. It was not until the 1920s that the ‘taps’ or metal plates were added to the bottom of the shoes on the heels and toes. Shuffle Along in 1921 was the first show to feature these new tap shoes. From then on, the dance was known as tap dancing as it still is today. Tap dancing has been on the stage, in films and other various forms of entertainment.

Tap dancing is still part of dance competitions, as with its origins, not only here in Australia, but all over the world. To learn additional facts about tap dancing or to take lessons, come to Southcoast Dance School. We offer classes in a wide range of dances for both children and adults.

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