What's the Best Type of Music to Practice Tap Dancing to?

Tap dancing is an art form that requires rhythm, timing, and creativity. One of the key aspects of tap dancing is the music one practices to. Choosing the right music can enhance your practice and performance. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced tap dancer, this guide will help you select the perfect music to practice tap dancing to.

The Ideal Music for Tap Dancing

Jazz

Jazz music is often a popular choice for tap dancing due to its syncopated rhythms and improvisational elements. Artists like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald are great for providing a tap dancing soundtrack. With its intricate rhythms and lively tempos, jazz can help you develop your footwork and timing.

Swing

Swing music, particularly in the style of Benny Goodman and Count Basie, offers upbeat tempos that are perfect for tap dancing. Swing music’s lively nature can help you stay energized and keep you moving at a steady pace.

Rhythm and Blues (RB)

Rhythm and blues music, with its strong beats and grooves, can provide a powerful base for your tap routines. Classic RB artists like Ray Charles and modern songs can work wonders for adding dynamic energy to your tap dancing.

Funk

Funk music, characterized by its strong rhythm and bass lines, is an excellent choice for enthusiastic tap dancers. Artists like James Brown and Parliament Funkadelic can inspire you to step up your game with their driving beats and rhythms.

Broadway Show Tunes

Broadway show tunes are a classic choice for tap dancers. Many tap routines are inspired by Broadway musicals, and the rhythmic structure of these songs can help you master your technique. Notable examples include West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, and Footloose.

Upbeat Pop

Contemporary pop songs that have a strong beat are another excellent option for tap dancing practice. Look for danceable tracks with clear rhythms to help you stay in tempo and maintain your footwork. Artists like Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars are great choices for upbeat pop music that can inspire your tap dancing.

Personal Insights

As a seasoned tap dancer with eleven years of experience, I can attest that virtually any music can be used for tap dancing with the right mindset. That said, the most effective types of music tend to have a tempo between 100-140 beats per minute (BPM). I particularly recommend the band MUNA, which has songs that are perfect for tap dancing. Their music is both dynamic and rhythmic, making it a fantastic choice for practice.

General Music Selection Tips

When you have your tap shoes on, virtually any music becomes a possibility. It’s essential to start with music that has a discernible rhythm, ideally around four-to-the-bar at a medium tempo. From there, you can experiment with different styles to find what inspires you the most. Tap dancing is a form of expression, and you should feel free to let your creativity flow.

Adapting to Different Genres

Tap dance evolved alongside jazz, andswing jazz is particularly adaptable for practice. Gypsy jazz, a style that developed in Paris in the 1940s, works well because it typically lacks a drummer, giving you space to showcase your tap skills.

The freedom of tap dancing is that the beat can come from you. As long as it’s for practice, you have the flexibility to create a performance on the spot. This is truly a form of art where the rules are flexible. Simply tap into the music and feel the jazz!

Feel free to experiment with different genres and find what works best for you. The key is to let the music inspire your steps and keep you in the moment.

Keywords: tap dance music, jazz for tap, practice tap dancing