 Sometimes the algorithm sends me the PERFECT tool for tap class......so, of course, when that happens, I want to share it with you too! A few years ago, Spotify suggested a song to me -- "Walking Notes" by Hap Palmer. It is a song that demonstrates half notes, quarter notes, and eighth notes in a way that the students can really feel. The song cycles through different tempos, asking the listeners to move along to the beat. Although Walking Notes may be intended for a music class, for me it works wonderfully for tap! I like to use this song to practice a variety of tap skills, while challenging the students to really listen to the downbeat and stay with the music. In addition to giving the dancers a better understanding of tempo, moving to this song also helps them to clarify their tap sounds and feel how it is necessary to adjust their steps by making them smaller to go faster. In case you would like to try it out too, here some ways I like to use the song for tap class for different age groups -- Walking Notes Steps for Preschool & Kindergarten Age
Walking Notes Steps for Elementary Age
Some dancers feel like the faster they tap, the more impressive or better they are --- it is hard to convince them that staying with the music is the real challenge, For me, this song is the perfect tool to help them to see that the "race" is not to be the fastest; the "race" is how well we match the music! Happy tapping, and have a wonderful week! Visit my shop for more dance resources that support a creative, positive, and imaginative dance classroom. Keep in touch by signing up for my weekly tap newsletter, and join me on Facebook at dance dance HOORAY or follow me on Instagram @dancedancehooray!
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