Tap Dance Flashcards

Which part of the tap shoe produces sound when a dancer performs a 'heel drop'?

Answer: The heel tap plate

A heel drop uses the metal heel tap plate striking the floor to create a distinct, low-pitched percussive sound.

In tap dance, what does the term 'syncopation' refer to?

Answer: Placing rhythmic accents on off-beats or between main beats

Syncopation means accenting weak or off-beats, creating rhythmic tension and surprise that is central to jazz-influenced tap styles.

Which early 20th-century performance venue was most important in developing tap dance as a professional art form?

Answer: The Apollo Theater and vaudeville circuit theaters

Vaudeville theaters and Harlem's Apollo Theater were key venues where tap dancers competed, innovated, and built professional careers.

What is a 'time step' in tap dance?

Answer: A standardized rhythmic pattern used as a building block or introduction

A time step is a foundational rhythmic phrase that establishes tempo and serves as a common starting point or transition in tap routines.

Which of the following best describes 'Broadway tap' style?

Answer: Theatrical, expressive dancing that combines tap rhythms with full-body performance

Broadway tap integrates theatrical expression, storytelling, and full-body movement with tap rhythms to serve narrative performance.

What is the primary difference between 'soft shoe' and standard tap?

Answer: Soft shoe has no metal taps and produces a softer, shuffling sound

Soft shoe dancing uses shoes without metal taps, relying on the shuffling of the leather or suede sole to create a quieter, gliding sound.

During the Harlem Renaissance, tap dance competitions held at ballrooms were commonly called what?

Answer: Cutting contests

Cutting contests were improvised competitive performances where dancers tried to outdo each other in creativity and rhythmic complexity.