Viewing Guide
Understanding Tap
Before You Watch
- How would you describe tap?
- Have you ever seen a tap dance performance? If yes, describe it.
- Can you name any famous tap dancers? If so, list them.
- Have you ever taken tap dance lessons or tried to tap? Have you ever taken clogging or Irish step dancing lessons or lessons in another similar dance form? Describe your experiences.
- What is jazz?
- What is improvisation?
- What is a percussion instrument? How is it different from other instruments?
After You Watch
- What are some unique characteristics of tap dance in comparison to other dance forms (modern, ballet, ballroom, folk, etc.)?
- How do tap dancers use the elements of dance (time, space, force) differently from dancers of other dance forms?
- How are improvisation and syncopation used in the demonstration? Do other dance forms use improvisation? Syncopation? How?
- What does Katherine Kramer, the dancer in the video, mean by the “tap instrument”?
- Why do people tap dance? Who tap dances?
- What training is required? Can anyone tap?
- What makes tap dance a uniquely American art form?