Introduction Rhythm Tap Dancing

General information and an introduction to the the style of step dance known as "rhythm tap dancing".

What is Rhythm Tap?
Rhythm tap is a style of tap dancing that uses tap shoes as a percussive musical instrument, similar to playing the drums. It can sometimes be seen in jazz clubs as one of the instruments in a jazz band.

What Makes It Different then Other Tap Styles?
Rhythm tap dancing is focused on the sound of the taps more then the aesthetic appearance of the dance. It typically features less upper body movement then other forms of tap, and less moving around on the floor. Rhythm tap can be done effectively on a small tap board and it often incorporates many heel drops. Because rhythm tap is considered a musical instrument, a serious rhythm tap dancer will need to study and understand the different types of musical notes (quarter notes, eighth notes, triplets, etc), bars, phrases, and other music theory topics.

Online Rhythm Tap Tutorials and Demonstrations

Steve Zee "Crafting a Quality Rhythm Tap Exercise" Video

Intermediate Beginner Rhythm Tap Combo

Intermediate/Advanced Rhythm Tap Dancers

Sean McGibbon "Rhythm Tap" Video

Tap Dance Routines "Rhythm Tap Combination" Video

Rhythm Tap Instructional DVDs

DVD TITLE: Rhythm Tap I
FEATURES: Steve Zee
LENGTH: 75 minutes
DVD RELESED: January 6, 1999
STUDIO: M. A. D. Degrees Productions

DVD TITLE: Rhythm Tap II
FEATURES: Steve Zee
LENGTH: 50 minutes
DVD RELESED: January 11, 2000
STUDIO: M. A. D. Degrees Productions

DVD TITLE: Music Theory for Tap Dancers
FEATURES: Aaron Williams, Rusty Frank, and Steve Zee
LENGTH: 64 MINUTES
DVD RELESED: September 1, 2008
STUDIO: Tapping With the masters / On Tap