TAP DANCING – CBAA SYLLABUS GUIDELINES

PREFACE

 

Some basic rules for the teaching of Tap Dancing

All beats should be clear whether they are ‘sharp’ or ‘flat’ beats and executed with body control. In the majority of steps the feet remain parallel with the knees slightly bent. Some steps are done without displacement of weight, e.g. springs. Pupils should be made aware that some steps do not travel in certain exercises, e.g. hops are sometimes on the spot and sometimes they travel. For the beginner, arms are usually extended at the shoulder with palms down. Teachers may design their own arm movements for the more advanced pupils.

• • • Beats – executed on the toe plate of the shoe. Heels should be just off the floor.
    • Hops – stabbing action – elevation on ball of foot.
    • Springs – stabbing action – no elevation – from one foot to other on ball of foot.
    • Brushes – may be forward or backward – tap strikes floor close to supporting foot – do not extend the working leg out too far forward.
    • Heel dig – quick dig action on heel of working foot lose to the toe of the supporting foot. Working foot is turned up from the ankle.
    • Toe Kick – on the tip of the pointing toe. Knee bends after each kick.
    • Ball Change – quick change of weight from one foot to the other.
    • Flaps (slaps) – a snapping action making 2 beats.
    • Flirts (wings) – an outward scrape of the working foot
    • Breaks/Time Steps – special attention should be given to the ‘timing’ of the step.

This syllabus is designed to give the once a week student an introduction to tap technique. Teachers should extend the syllabus as the students gain confidence with their dance technique.

TAP SYLLABUS

 

BEGINNERS (For children up to 5 years)

• • • toe beats
    • heel beats
    • stamps
    • toe drops
    • step from side and toe drop behind
    • jump and clap
    • heel and stamp
    • heel walks

Dance

• • • 8 bars (to include clapping)

PRIMARY (For children over 6 years)

• • • forward and back brushes
    • springs
    • ball taps
    • hops
    • forward and back brushes with stamp
    • hop step
    • ball change
    • stamp and clap
    • heel walks

Dance

• • • 16 bars – moderate tempo

Guidelines for Tap Grades:

 

GRADE ONE –

• • • straight taps
    • 4 hops and 4 springs
    • ball taps and ball beat
    • forward and back taps
    • shuffles
    • tap steps
    • tap step with heel beat
    • tap step ball change
    • flaps
    • hop and step with ball change
    • Dance
    • 32 bars

GRADE TWO –

• • • forward and back brushes
    • straight taps shuffles and ball changes
    • preparation for 2 beat flirts
    • stamp and scuff
    • brush, heel, heel, toe beat
    • spring shuffle ball change
    • tap spring and hop
    • jump to side with double heel beats
    • tap step, heel to 2nd position
    • brush – hop – step
    • forward brush heel, heel – walks
    • ball change heel scuff
    • preparation for single time step

Dance

• • • 32 bars

GRADE THREE –

• • • stamp with pick-up and tap spring
    • stamp pick-up ball beat
    • drum beats
    • 2 beat flirts
    • turns – ball change and turn
    • brush hop step with variation
    • ball change heel scuff with rise
    • preparation for turns
    • single time steps with single break

Dance

• • • 32 bars

GRADE FOUR –

• • • pick-ups (facing barre)
    • 3 beat flirts
    • tap flirts
    • tap step and thigh slap
    • turns
    • 5 beat rifts
    • tap step heel turning
    • tap spring shuffle ball change
    • pick-up moving backwards
    • ball change heel scuff with balance
    • double time steps with double break

Dance

• • • 32 bars

GRADE FIVE –

• • • pick-ups
    • 3 beat flirts – facing barre
    • drum beats
    • 5 beat rifts
    • shuffle off to buffalo
    • pick-ups moving backwards
    • drum beats in pattern
    • tap steps turning
    • triple time steps with triple break

Dance

• • • 32 bars

GRADES SIX AND SEVEN –

• • • nerve beats
    • 6 beat rifts
    • 3 beat flirts from one foot and two feet
    • drum beats with shuffle
    • pick-ups from one foot
    • balancing exercises
    • combinations of turning steps
    • combinations of travelling steps
    • waltz time steps and breaks
    • time steps and breaks amalgamated

Dance

• • • 32 bars

MAJOR TAP GRADES

All work for major grades should be in enchainment form with the degree of technical difficulty increasing with each grade. The inclusion of musical appreciation is encouraged.

The following guidelines are suggestions. Teachers are encouraged to introduce student choreography into the syllabus during these grades. It is ideal that the candidates may prepare the Advanced Syllabus (Gold Level) with their own choreography.

PRELIMINARY MAJOR TAP – BRONZE MEDAL

Barre: enchainments should be simple combinations to demonstrate the candidate’s confidence with tap technique and their own musicality.

Centre: Enchainments should include waltz tempo as well as 4/4 timing and should involve turning and travelling steps. Combinations should include a good variety of steps including time steps.

Class routine of 64 bars.

INTERMEDIATE MAJOR TAP – SILVER MEDAL

Barre: enchainments should introduce a variety of tempos with appropriate arm movements and a wide selection of steps.

Centre:

• • • enchainments
    • tango
    • waltz
    • slow
    • fast

Solo routine of 64 bars.

ADVANCED MAJOR TAP – GOLD MEDAL

Barre: to provide a warm up for examination performance.

Candidates should perform solo routines to a variety of tempos. Tempos may be combined within one routine or may be performed as separate routines.

Attention should be given to the presentation style, suitability of music and the content of the routines. At least two full routines should be performed.

Candidates are encouraged to submit their own choreography. Small props (hat, cane, chair, skirt) may be used during the performance.