Tap dance is an incredibly fun, expressive form of dance with a rich history. However, before anyone can join the ranks of hoofers (people who live and breathe tap dance), they need to at least know the basics. For one, what types of tap dance are there?
There are seven main types of tap dance: Broadway tap, buck and wing, classical tap, hoofing, jazz tap, rhythm tap, and soft-shoe. As with all types of dance, there are subgenres within these categories.
What makes each of these types of tap dance distinct? Read on to find out!
What are the different styles of tap dance?
- Broadway tap
This is the type of tap dance that’s performed in musicals. It places a strong emphasis on showmanship and incorporates lots of arm movements and body formations. It also includes more traveling across the stage than other forms of tap dance do.
- Buck and wing
A flashy, elaborate style of tap dance, buck and wing originated from a combination of African dancing and Irish clogs. In fact, it’s the predecessor to both rhythm tap and clog dancing. Involving quick footwork and high kicks, this type of tap dance was very popular in minstrel and vaudeville shows.
- Classical tap
Influenced by ballet, jazz, and acrobatics, classical tap retains tap dancing’s distinctive percussive, syncopated footwork while incorporating upper body movements and stunts. It grew to fame in the 20th century largely thanks to the Nicholas Brothers.
- Hoofing
Think of the sound a horse’s hooves make against solid ground. That’s hoofing! This type of tap dance focuses on the loud stomping sounds that come from tap dancing. The dancer’s steps are heavier than in other types of tap dancing, and the sounds aren’t just made by the bottom of the tap shoe, but by the sides, tip, and back of the shoe too.
- Jazz tap
When jazz music’s popularity soared in the 1920s, jazz tap emerged to accompany it. This form of tap takes its rhythmic elements from jazz music, and it’s the most rhythmically complex type of jazz dancing. It’s notably fast and usually matches or even doubles the tempo of the jazz music it goes with.
- Rhythm tap
Unlike some other styles of tap dance, rhythm tap is usually performed without any accompanying music. The music is all in the tapping! Some things that make rhythm tap unique are its use of heel striking rather than toe-tapping and its lack of emphasis on how the dance looks. Instead, it focuses purely on the musicality of the dance.
- Soft-shoe
As tap dancing evolved, the soft-shoe style came into existence. This type of tap dance doesn’t require tap shoes. Instead, dancers wear soft-soled shoes while tapping out rhythms with their feet. It typically involves light footwork and some sliding of the feet.
What was the evolution of tap dance styles?
The earliest form of tap dance emerged in the 1700s, when African slaves on US plantations began combining the West African Juba dance, which comprised loud, rhythmic dancing using one’s body as percussion, with the Irish jigs they saw.
A century later, William Henry Lane, a free African-American man, rose to stardom for his version of the dance, receiving top billing over white performers, earning himself the nickname “Master Juba,” and being credited as the inventor of American tap dance.
One of the first recorded “cutting contests,” similar to modern-day dance-offs, was between Master Juba and Irish dancer John Diamond. Cutting contests became a popular form of entertainment that gave dancers opportunities to learn from each other’s styles and techniques.
As the years went on, tap dance continued to develop and change, and styles such as buck and wing and soft-shoe came about. Then, as stage musicals rose in popularity in the 1920s, Broadway tap was born.
When Broadway stars like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers moved from the stage to the screen a decade later, tap dance found fame in that medium as well. At around the same time, jazz music was on the rise, which resulted in the creation of jazz tap.
Several years later, tap dance evolved again, influenced by Latin American and Afro-Caribbean rhythms.
Unfortunately, in the 1950s, the popularity of tap dance declined for a variety of reasons. World War II had just ended, and while watching tap dance performances during the war had helped to lift people’s spirits, the aftermath of the war meant trying to repair the war damage done. It didn’t leave the public with a lot of time to enjoy dancing.
It was thirty years later before tap dance saw a resurgence with the help of Gregory Hines. He brought tap dance back with a vengeance in the movie “Tap,” updating the dance form to suit modern music. He even performed an electronic tap dance sequence in the film.
Since then, tap dance has continued to change and grow, incorporating hip-hop rhythms and capturing the attention of a whole new generation of dancers.
What are the origins of the tap shoe?
When tap dance first began, the tapping sounds came from pennies or hobnails that had been hammered into the toes and heels of shoes. This evolved into having wooden soles on shoes before later developing into attaching metal taps to the bottoms of shoes.
Today, you can get tap shoes in many different styles, including Oxfords, Mary Janes, heels, and sneakers. In the movie “Tap,” Gregory Hines even wears a pair of electronic tap shoes.
When was tap dancing most popular?
The 1920s to 1940s were the heyday of tap dance as we recognize it now. In the 1930s, stars like Bill Robinson and Fred and Ginger tapped their way into people’s hearts. In that same period, child star Shirley Temple made tap dancing so famous that even though the Great Depression was unfolding, people were flocking to dance schools for tap classes.
Has tap dancing declined in popularity?
During certain periods in history, there were times when people couldn’t enter a nightclub or watch a show without encountering a tap dance routine. This is no longer the case. However, while tap dance’s popularity might have declined, it’s far from extinction.
Tap dancing today and in the future
Tap dance continues to be performed in stage musicals, and tap classes are offered by many dance schools. There are some formidable tap dancers in our era, including:
- Michelle Dorrance, the founder of award-winning tap company Dorrance Dance;
- Dormeshia, a performer and choreographer who was the tap instructor to Michael Jackson;
- Chloé Arnold, a dancer and Emmy-nominated choreographer. In fact, Arnold choreographed the tap dance scenes in the Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell movie “Spirited” that came out in November 2022.
With tap dancing on our screens once again, and nostalgia being a comforting creature at times, we might see a rise in this historic dance’s popularity.
Are new tap styles being created?
By the very nature of tap dance being such an innovative, improvisational dance form, there are always new styles being created! Whilst perhaps not formal genres by themselves as of yet, these styles may be a combination of the seven named above, or they might get their influence from other dances or genres of music. The thing that never changes about tap dance is that it’s always changing.
Related questions
What are the pros and cons of tap dance?
| Pros | Cons |
| Customizable Tap dancing can be adapted in so many ways to make it accessible. There are tap classes for every age and skill level. You can even opt for seated tap dancing, wearing tap shoe covers over orthopedic shoes, or using hand taps! | Can be tough at first Tap dancing involves complicated rhythms and fast footwork that might be challenging when you’re first starting out. Keeping track of the steps requires focus, and it might take a few months before you get the hang of it. |
| Good for your brain When you tap dance, you have to learn and memorize lots of different rhythm patterns. It’s great mental exercise! | More susceptible to knee injuries With any form of physical activity comes the risk of injury, and tap dancing is no different. The movements required, and unforgiving footwear used, for tap dance may lead to knee injuries like tendonitis or a torn ligament for some dancers. |
| Gives you a great workout Tap dancing is an awesome way to get some cardio in! It’s a full body workout that gets your heart pumping and improves your endurance. It also strengthens the muscles in your legs and core. | |
| Improves your balance The fast footwork and constant shifting of weight involved in tap dancing will improve your balance. Aside from being less prone to falls, good balance can also mean you’ll have faster reflexes, greater mental clarity, and less anxiety. | |
| Helps you to express yourself As with many forms of dance, tap dance is a wonderful medium of self-expression. Its improvisational nature gives dancers the freedom to explore and innovate as they desire. | |
| You can tap (almost) anywhere! Tap dancing doesn’t require a lot of space, which means you can do it just about anywhere. Just remember not to tap dance on concrete—it’ll hurt your feet! On that note, a great tool is a tap dancing mat. We actually have a great article on this topic which can be viewed here: The 5 Best Portable Tap Dance Mats: + Shopping guide, DIY guide, and FAQ. |
Who are famous tap dancers?
Some notable tap dancers over the years include:
- William Henry Lane (Master Juba)
- Nicholas Brothers
- Fred Astaire
- Ginger Rogers
- Bill Robinson (Bojangles)
- Shirley Temple
- Gregory Hines
- Michelle Dorrance
- Dormeshia
- Chloé Arnold
What music is used in tap dance?
Tap dancing can be done to lots of different kinds of music. Jazz tap would normally accompany jazz music and Broadway tap would normally go with show tunes. Generally, though, tap is a very versatile dance form that goes well with a whole variety of genres.
If you prefer Top 40 music, feel free to use that for your tap dance routines. If world music is more your style, look up a specific culture’s take on tap dance and try that out.
Final notes on tap dance
Ultimately, tap dance is a fun, energetic, historically meaningful form of self-expression that almost anyone can try. Whether the idea of Broadway tap has caught your fancy or you find yourself eager to try out jazz tap, there’s definitely a style of tap dance for you.