Tap

Tap is a form of dance that solely has to do with tap shoes. Tap shoes are shoes that have silver metal plates and the bottom of the shoe, that help to create different sounds and beats when coming in contact with the floor. Tap is very unique in that you are able to create music yourself. Tap dancers are considered musicians because of the ability to create music. Tap dancers mainly use their feet and their legs while they dance. The upper body is only used to create a nice image and to show off the feet. There are many different ways to create beats with tap shoes. Since there are two metal plates on each shoe, when stomping your foot on the ground it creates a hard percussive sound.

Tap came about in the mid 1900's in very poor areas, when famous dancers like Gregory Hines and Fred Astaire tapped. Fred Astaire created a more ballroom look, while dancing. Tap has evolved ever since. Now, tap beats are created to have a more urban style to it. A main part to tap dancing is improvisation. Improvisation is when you learn to tap and generate your own tap sounds. There are some basic tap steps like the shuffle, flap, pullbacks, and wings. Then, when you are a little more advances, these steps are combined together to make it more complicated. It's really a pleasure to watch tap being performed because it's amazing to see how fast a person can move their feet and it's fascinating to hear all the beats that are produced just by dancing with your feet.

Here is an example of an amazing tap dancer today: Laurie Johnson

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tap_dance