what is tap dance?

a dance in which the rhythm or rhythmical variation is audibly tapped out with the toe or heel by a dancer wearing shoes with special hard soles or with taps.

Tap dance is a style of dance which developed in the United States in the 19th century. Originally, tap dance appeared in black minstrel shows, but by the 1920s, it had become popular with both blacks and whites. Today, a number of schools of tap dance can be seen in action, and it is possible to take a range of tap classes at many dance studios and schools.
In tap dance, performers wear shoes which have been equipped with metal plates. As the dancer moves, the plates click against the dance floor, creating a characteristic tapping sound. Tappers can create a variety of percussive rhythms with their feet by tapping, sliding, and clicking the metal plates. Observers can enjoy both the movements of the dancer and the sound of the tapping, with tap dancers performing either alone or with musical accompaniment. Some composers have even created compositions for tap dancers and orchestras, using the tap dancers like drummers and other members of the percussion section.
The roots of tap dance are a bit obscure. Several cultures have dance traditions similar to tap dancing, such as clogging in the British Isles, which utilizes movements similar to those used by tappers. Some African cultures also have percussive dance traditions which were undoubtedly brought to the United States on slave ships, and flamenco, a style of Spanish dance, also features a version of tap dancing called zapateado. Whatever the origins of tap dancing, it has become a quintessentially American dance form.

what is Hip Hop Line Dance?

Line dances to hip hop music are similar to the more well-known country line dances in the way they are performed. They contain very simple dance steps that can be quickly learned and executed in large groups. When a hip hop song with an accompanying dance catches on in the public, you will often see large groups of fans dancing the steps in a club or special event. Below are just a few of the hip hop line dances you may see out there and are worth learning if you want to join in on the fun.
The Mississippi Cha Cha Slide
Also known as STOMP 2007, this should not be confused with the Cha Cha Slide, which is another dance entirely. The moves to the Mississippi Cha Cha Slide are simple. Start by stomping your right foot, followed by a left stomp. Next, "cha cha" to your right, and then alternate directions to "cha cha" to your left. Turn a quarter of a turn to your right, move to your left, back up and jump!
That's all you need to know to pull off this dance. The catchy rhythm of the music by Mixx Master Lee keeps dancers of all ages interested, and you'll find it performed everywhere from school assemblies to wedding receptions.
Soulja Boy (Crank That)
Wildly popular when it came out during the summer of 2007, many people still dance the Souja Boy (named after the rapper who performed the song by the same name) all over the nation. Again, the moves are quite simple:
1.Jump and land with your legs crossed, then jump again to uncross.
2.Bend your right foot up and behind your left leg, like you are kicking your left hand. Touch your hand to your foot and then return to a standstill position.
3.Turn your hips slightly three times in a row with a small lean to the right. On the third twist, turn your arms upward and stomp your right foot as you snap your fingers.
4.Stomp your right foot again, and then cross the right leg across the left.
5.Raise up your right knee and touch it to your right hand, and release.
6.Push off toward the right and then raise your left leg up and your arms forward. A good visual aid is to imitate the position Superman is famous for, right as he's taking off to fly.
7.Next, you will hear the lyrics "crank that soulja boy", which is your cue to jump on one foot traveling in one direction, while simulating cranking a motorcycle with your hands. Finally, put your arms by the sides of your head and position your fingers so they all point in one direction - touching your knees back and forth.
8.Repeat.

1980s Evolution of Hip Hop

When hip hop first started it was a performative, but informal, dance culture. B-boys and b-girls (terms introduced by DJ Herc) would
be invited to show off their moves by other people on the street, on the basketball court, or wherever the group happened to be. As rhythms of the music, more formal dance venues arose. While these performances were more formal, the competitive nature of hip hop the moves became more institutionalized (for example, breaking, popping, and locking), and more and more dancers got caught up in the remained, as well as the circular nature of the audience surrounding the dancers.

In the 1980s and 90s more clubs featured hip hop DJs, especially in the larger cities, and dancers of all skill levels would hit the dance floor. Both informal and formal competitions often arose. Informal competitions started when a few truly exceptional dancers were noticed on the dance floor; the rest of the people would back off and allow the leaders to duke it out. As these informal competitions became increasingly common and popular, announced competitions became part of a night out at hip hop clubs. Whether they arose organically or they were advertised in advance, this competitive nature helped hip hop retain the "battle" culture that has existed since the beginning. This type of competition can also be seen in other dance forms, perhaps most notably in tap dancing of the early 20th century.

What Is West Coast Hip Hop?

On the West Coast, hip hop dancing is said to have been inspired by the robots in the movies of the 1960s and 70s. Wanting to replicate the movement of artificial life, the following pioneers shaped hip hop on the West Coast:

•Boogaloo Sam: The creator of popping, Boogaloo Sam was an important influence in hip hop evolution. Contributing to the early West Coast hip hop scene in the 1970s, he had an innate gift for music and movement and was the founder of the dance group Electric Boogaloo.

•Don Campbellock: While his real name was Don Campbell, his invention, locking, influenced his name. Known as Don Campbellock, this important figure in hip hop dancing created the dance group The Lockers, and his iconic dance shaped the early West Coast scene.

American Hip Hop
While for hip hop dancers, the popping and locking of the West Coast and the breaking of the East Coast are two very separate dance styles, the two regional variants often get blended and grouped into the genre 'hip hop.' As the dance form continued to evolve many dancers retained the original styles respective to each region, while other artists brought in not only several different styles of hip hop dancing, but also additional dance styles such as swing.

What Is East Coast Hip Hop?

While hip hop didn't develop only on the East Coast, many dancers neglect the West Coast origins of hip hop and attribute all of the dance's development to East Coast (New York City) artists. While it wasn't yet called hip hop dance, this art form really began to develop when DJ Herc moved to Brooklyn at the age of 12, and started an informal performance career that would quickly turn him into one of the most popular DJs in New York City.

Moving to New York City from Jamaica, Kool DJ Herc was the first DJ to make unique music by playing two record machines with the same record on both. The rhythms he created were one of the important founding elements of hip hop; he also extended the dance section of songs so that the dancers could show off their moves for a longer interlude, laying the foundation for a significant dance culture

Early History of Hip Hop Dance

Hip hop dancing is thought to have officially begun in New York City during the late 1960s and early 70s. During this time, individuals without professional dance training but with a natural instinct for movement, brought dancing to the streets. A dance form meant to be popular in the original sense of the word, meaning that it was for the people and not for the academy, hip hop moves were inspired by complex rhythms and the down-to-earth movement style of African dancing. Music and movement came together to form a new art. While vestiges of modern, tap, swing, and African dancing can all be found in hip hop, this dance style is really in a class of its own when it comes to improvisation and an edge of competition.

The roots of hip hop on the East Coast are widely known, but there is also a West Coast hip hop history from which many of the most well-known hip hop moves originated.

Learning Hip Hop

Hip hop classes are popping up in dance studios around the country. Teens are particularly interested in learning how to dance like dancers they see on MTV and music videos. Dance teachers have capitalized on this interest and have started incorporating hip hop and breakdancing classes into their curriculums. Many people with roots in hip hop culture feel that hip hop dancing should not be formally "taught." They feel that teaching specific moves takes away from the originality factor that hip hop possesses.