I don’t get tap dancing

[Odesh]

The Twitter algorithm has wrongly concluded I would enjoy videos of Fred Astaire tap dancing. The ballroom stuff I like, but when they start tapping it leaves me cold. I suppose it’s because I’m not familiar with it and therefore don’t know how difficult it is/how accomplished they are, but it just doesn’t seem like dancing to me, not beautiful or musical. The rhythms don’t even seem to make much sense to me. This is of course a personal preference but I am intrigued as to what people see in it that I don’t.

Do you like tap dancing? Does it move you? Is it the dexterity and technicality of it?

Oh I love it. I did it for a while (only started as an adult) but haven't done it since the studio closed for covid and then we moved away. I did have a go at home once but that lasted about a minute until I realised it was damaging the wooden floor. Would love to start again but there are no classes where I live.

I love watching it in old movies. I love how percussive it is (but yes it is definitely dancing).

I don’t like the look of Irish dancing. Or any line dancing for that matter.

Irish dancing isn't line dancing ......

This reminds me of how people always used to say that Fred Astaire was the best dancer in the world... until it was pointed out that his partner Ginger Rogers did everything he did, except backwards and in high heels!! 😂

Ok 👍🏻

It’s an acquired taste, just as jazz is (with which tap is very closely intertwined). I’m a big fan of Sarah Reich, here with PMJ:

See that’s quite an interesting video with regard to the percussive instrument thing. While the singer is singing, the dancer is dancing to my eyes, responding to the rhythm and dynamics of the music, with her arms, shoulders, hips and legs all fluidly moving to the music, then when she starts tapping it’s like the rest of her body is entirely in service to the sound she is making with her feet. It is instrumental. There is a definite switch between the two modes.

To be clear, there is no value judgement here, just musing on the differences and how I perceive it.

I don't find ballet beautiful. It seems forced and unnatural to me.
Love tap tho!
We're all different.

then when she starts tapping it’s like the rest of her body is entirely in service to the sound she is making with her feet. It is instrumental. There is a definite switch between the two modes.

But the tapping is led by the music. They're working together.
It doesn't matter if the dancing is making a sound, it's still dancing.

I’m just trying to explain how I see it.

This thread was actually to hear about what people like about tap, how’s about you tell me what you love about Irish dancing?

I’m just trying to explain how I see it.

And I'm explaining how I see it from a dancers point of view. 🤷🏼‍♀️

This thread was actually to hear about what people like about tap, how’s about you tell me what you love about Irish dancing?

Okay.
Light/soft shoe dancing - I love that you can dance a reel which is powerful and athletic with leaps, high kicks and intricate footwork . And then a slip jig which is graceful and balletic in style.
Heavy shoe dancing - it's all about the rhythm and the power coupled with intricate block work.

It's a very technical dance style steeped in tradition.

I didn't care for it much until I saw Riverdance. One dancer alone isn't the same, but wow, when they all start up together!

I love the rhythmic aspect, like a dancing drummer.

I did tap, ballet and modern as a child. Every girl I knew did the same. Tap seems archaic now, but I loved it and can still do a nifty shuffle or ball-change.

I don't that tap is archaic. Maybe the massive numbers from the old musicals aren't so common these days, but things like jazz tap and the use of modern music keep it very accessible to modern kids.

My DDs uni has shown and comp tap dance squads, and have beginners through to advanced classes.

I tried it once but I fell off the sink.😂. Sorry funny half hour, ill get my coat