Turku, Finland / Oct 3: In the Spirit of Jimmy Slyde with Roxane Butterfly, Jussi Lindroos and Xumo Nunjo http://t.co/HGjRgMbX
242 days ago
Stockholm, Sweden / Sept 30 - Oct 2: House of Hoofing pres. three day tap workshop for all levels with Roxane Butterfly http://t.co/2jTLBi2N
242 days ago
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not
love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” – I Corinthians 13:1 (NLT)
“If I tap with the speed of lightning, but make not music, I’m just keeping up a racket” – Terrence Taps
Tap dancers can learn from both of these quotes. The first teaches that love is the most important component in any spiritual system – probably one of the most important lessons we can ever learn.
The second quote reminds us that being the fastest tap dancer in your class doesn’t amount to anything if no one can connect with what you are doing. At its core, tap dancing is about 4 relationships:
1. The relationship between sound and silence
2. The relationship between space and time
3. The relationship between one dancer and his or her fellow dancers
4. The relationship between you and your audience
When tap dancing “for yourself” (often in an empty dance studio) you are usually focusing only on the first two relationships. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Part of the joy of tap dancing is being able to become lost and rhythm as you literally step out of life and into “time”.
On the other hand, when you dance for an audience you usually focus on at least three out of the four core relationships of tap dancing. This is why there is often such a big difference between what you do in an empty studio and what you do when someone is watching…even when the music is unchanged. Your awareness of the other person naturally pulls you in the direction of relating to them through your dancing..
Focusing on speed while disregarding clarity ignores all four relationships.
When that happens you are no longer tap dancing you’re just making noise…and what’s the point of that?
To learn tried and true techniques for increasing your speed without losing your connection with the audience check out my Rapid Tap DVD! Just $10 if you order now:
love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” – I Corinthians 13:1 (NLT)
Tap dancers can learn from both of these quotes. The first teaches that love is the most important component in any spiritual system – probably one of the most important lessons we can ever learn.
The second quote reminds us that being the fastest tap dancer in your class doesn’t amount to anything if no one can connect with what you are doing. At its core, tap dancing is about 4 relationships:
1. The relationship between sound and silence
2. The relationship between space and time
3. The relationship between one dancer and his or her fellow dancers
4. The relationship between you and your audience
When tap dancing “for yourself” (often in an empty dance studio) you are usually focusing only on the first two relationships. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Part of the joy of tap dancing is being able to become lost and rhythm as you literally step out of life and into “time”.
On the other hand, when you dance for an audience you usually focus on at least three out of the four core relationships of tap dancing. This is why there is often such a big difference between what you do in an empty studio and what you do when someone is watching…even when the music is unchanged. Your awareness of the other person naturally pulls you in the direction of relating to them through your dancing..
Focusing on speed while disregarding clarity ignores all four relationships.
When that happens you are no longer tap dancing you’re just making noise…and what’s the point of that?
To learn tried and true techniques for increasing your speed without losing your connection with the audience check out my Rapid Tap DVD! Just $10 if you order now: