Tap dance has this reputation for being one of the most difficult forms of dance. Or if not the most difficult, only possible to learn if you have a natural talent for it. Or just plain too hard for most dancers to master. Have you noticed that the tappers on many seasons of So You Think You Can Dance have been required to do a bunch of other forms of dance, but none of the other dancers are required to tap? Apparently the reason is (according to an insider) that you "can't teach a non-tapper a full tap routine in the same amount a time a tapper can learn a non-tap routine." But here's something to consider: tap IS NOT measurably any harder than any other genres of dance. Is there a lot of weight shifting? Sure, but jazz has that, too. Are the shoes slippery? Yes, but so are character shoes. Is there more footwork? Yes, but who decided that foot isolations are harder than, say, arm isolations? I'd say that for most people, mastering ballet is a lot harder ...
Dance instructor Christa Terry teaches kid, teen, and adult tap classes and jazz classes at Dance Enthusiasm in Salem, MA. Whether you've never taken a dance class or you want to get back into it, whether you're 8 or 80, you can do it!