Despite all of the obvious benefits to tap jamming, it’s often extremely difficult to round up enough people to begin a jam session, with most people and even some professional dancers saying that they “don’t do” jamming.

Why?

Fear.

Of course, it’s totally understandable. Getting up and improvising solo can certainly be an extremely nerve wracking experience, as most who have given it a try will admit. As with any skill, practice makes perfect. Nobody was born with the ability to jam, just as nobody was born with the ability to ride a bike.

The most memorable moment of the whole jam experience at the Playhouse was the 6 & 7 year old kids, who with 10 months of tap experience to their credit, threw themselves into a completely professional adult tap jam session without a hint of fear, determined to give it a go, and have an awesome time in the process. We all had to take our hats off to those kids.

The moral of this little story is that while many people think:
They don’t jam because they can’t jam,

The truth is actually the other way round:
They can’t jam because they don’t jam.


Our advice: Just go for it, and don’t judge yourself harsh the first time. Take any opportunity you can to practice, by yourself or in a circle. You’ll gradually get better, and discover a joy to be found in tap dance that you never knew was there!

…..Check out part 1 here…….



RED HOT RHYTHM hold adult tap dance classes, and kids tap dance classes in Ashgrove, Brisbane. For all the information, visit the classes page of the website:

Dance Classes Brisbane – RED HOT RHYTHM

RED HOT RHYTHM also perform tap and Irish dance, as well as a range of other styles at events all over the world. For all the information, visit the corporate page of the website:

Corporate Entertainers – RED HOT RHYTHM

In November 2009, both the Red Hot Rhythm performance troupe and the students from Red Hot Rhythm’s kids and adult classes performed in an end of year concert at the Playhouse at the Queensland Performing Arts Complex. While the performance went over tremendously with the audience and was enjoyed by all, it was the events that took place backstage in the rehearsal room which turned out to be the most interesting and note-worthy of the occasion.

As one would expect when you get a group of professional tap dancers, Irish dancers and other ‘rhythm junkies’ in a room (with a wooden floor) together, improvised jam sessions will often spontaneously erupt. In these jam sessions, the dancers form a circle, and take 8, 16 or 32 counts each to improvise a small combination of moves one at a time. The process repeats around the circle for sometimes hours on end.

This is exactly what happened in between shows, in the rehearsal room of the Playhouse.

There are ridiculous amounts of benefits to tap jamming, including helping with confidence, technique, general performance & improvisational skills, as well as offering the chance to learn new steps & tricks from other dancers. Apart from this, a jam session can be one of the most enjoy things you can do in a pair of tap shoes.

AND YET!

Despite all of this, it’s often extremely difficult to round up enough people to begin a jam session, with most people and even some professional dancers saying that they “don’t do” jamming.

Why?

Fear.



…..Continued in PART 2!…….



RED HOT RHYTHM hold adult tap dance classes, and kids tap dance classes in Ashgrove, Brisbane. For all the information, visit the classes page of the website:

Dance Classes Brisbane – RED HOT RHYTHM

RED HOT RHYTHM also perform tap and Irish dance, as well as a range of other styles at events all over the world. For all the information, visit the corporate page of the website:

Corporate Entertainers – RED HOT RHYTHM

Basic standing still steps:

1. Straight Tap (aka Nerve Beat): Toe tap only.

2. Ball, Heel (2 beats, RR): Dig the toe tap, and without lifting the toe tap off the ground, drop the heel tap straight down.

3. Shuffle (2 Beats, RR): Forward brush, then backward brush (Toe only, and making sure the main movement is up and down, as opposed to forward and back)

4. Shuffle Ball Heel (4 Beats, RRRR): Forward brush, backward brush, ball dig, heel drop (Repeat on other side and practice getting faster)

5. 4 Beat Heel Pick-up (aka Paddle Roll): (4 Beats, RRRR) Heel Dig, Slap up (toe), ball dig, heel drop (Repeat on other side and practice getting faster)

6. Cramp Rolls (4 Beats, RLRL, With a small jump): Ball, Ball, Heel Drop, Heel Drop (Alternate: RLLR or LRRL)

Basic moving steps:

1. Tap-Step (aka Fa-lap. 2 Beats, RR): Forward brush, ball step (Repeat each side, moving forward)

2. Tap-Spring: Same as a tap-step, but with a small spring after the forward brush.

3. Tap-Step Heel (3 Beats, RRR): As above, with a heel drop at the end (3 beats)

4. Tap-Step, Ball-Change (4 Beats, RRLR): Forward brush, ball step, ball step (back foot), Stamp (front foot). Repeat each side.

5. Tap-Spring Shuffle Heel (5 Beats, RRLLR): Tap-spring [R], Shuffle [L], Heel [R]. Repeat other side.

6. Pick-up Heel (Moving backwards. 3 Beats, RRR): [Lift toe] Slap up (toe), ball dig, heel drop.

6. 3 Beat step, moving backwards (RLR): Ball dig behind [R], [Lift L Toe] Slap up, Heel drop [R]. Repeat on other side (LRL)

Remember: keep it small to get it fast!

RED HOT RHYTHM hold adult tap dance classes, and kids tap dance classes in Ashgrove, Brisbane. For all the information, visit the classes page of the website:

www.redhotrhythm.com.au/classes.html – Dance Classes

Check out the post  Making the most of a dance class HERE!

4. Work on picking up the steps fast.

Dance, especially tap dance, doesn’t really happen with your feet, it happens with your brain. Train your brain in ways to help you learn a combination/routine quickly. Breaking down the steps into small bite-size chunks is a great example. Remember, a combination is exactly that – a combination of very basic steps!

5. Practice!

Proper practice makes perfect – no doubt about it. We all lead busy lives, but try to think about the steps and routines at least a few times throughout the week (ideally, every day). Keep a notebook with the names of the steps in them, or bring a video camera to class and kindly ask the teacher to demonstrate the step for you as a visual reference.

6. Get out of your comfort zone

While one should always be realistic with their expectations from a dance class, keep seeking out new challenges to ensure you are constantly growing and improving as a dancer. For example, if you find yourself completing a step efficiently and have a bit of time to yourself either in class, or when practicing, have a try on the other side, or try it faster! Strive to better yourself everyday.

7. Keep coming back!

You’ve invested your time and money into coming to class, so you’re obviously keen to learn. Commit to it, and make the most of it! If possible, try to come to class from the start of term – this is usually when new material will be shown. Motivate yourself to come every week so you don’t fall behind. Think of ways to ensure you keep coming back – bring a friend along! Really committing to learning the dance style will ensure great results, and that you have a long, happy and rewarding relationship with dance.

RED HOT RHYTHM hold adult tap dance classes, and kids tap dance classes in Ashgrove, Brisbane. For all the information, visit the classes page of the website:

www.redhotrhythm.com.au/classes.html – Tap Classes

Check out PART 1 HERE!

Here are a few tips to ensure maximum results, and maximum enjoyment:

1. Take the plunge!

As most of us know, going to a dance class for the very first time can be quite daunting, especially if you go alone. Remember that there is a starting point for everyone, and there are sure to be others who are going for the first time also. The class should feel relaxed and welcoming. Bringing a friend or family member along to share the fun is a great way to begin, but even if you go alone, remember no-one is there to judge, they’re there to learn!

2. Choose your level appropriately.

Nothing is more frustrating than being in a dance class inappropriate to your standard. Remember to always be honest with yourself when choosing your class. A challenge should always be encouraged, but be sure to be realistic with your own abilities. You’ll get to the advanced class far quicker by starting with the beginner class.

3. Give it a chance.

Once again, be realistic with yourself. If you don’t get the steps straight away, don’t panic. Remind yourself that you’re learning a new skill – it might not all happen for you at once, but patience and persistence will guarantee great results. Also, the teacher is there to ensure you get the most out class, so utilise them!

Continue to PART 2!

RED HOT RHYTHM hold adult tap dancing lessons, and kids tap dancing lessons in Ashgrove, Brisbane. For all the information, visit the classes page of the website. Be sure to sign up to the newsletter while your there!

www.redhotrhythm.com.au