1. His ankles were very loose and his feet seemed very flexible for tap.

He was tapping his

feet away with what looked like not much of a struggle. He is very free and has a really

good stage presence.

2. They’re brothers and they’re wearing tuxes while tap dancing. They are very in sync with

each other in this American musical. They are very motivated in energy with each step in

this uptempo piece. They incorporate slides and a whole bunch of jumps and flips in this

tap piece as well. It’s a little bit of hip hop dance styles mixed in with tap, especially

when they flip and go into a split.

3. The Gene Kelley/Donald O’Connor duet is similar to the Nicholas Brothers in the way

that they are both tap duets of two guys being in sync with each other, however, the

Nicholas Brothers duet incorporates hip hop breakdancing into the tap routine whereas

Gene Kelley/Donald O’Connor stick to it being a standard tap routine in a musical. The

costumes are also different since the Nicholas Brothers were in tuxes, and Gene Kelley

and Donald O’Connor are in sweater vests and khakis. Very different contexts and

environments as well. It looked like the Nicholas Brothers were at a fancy restaurant, and

Gene Kelley and Donald O’Connor are in an office.

4. The Singing in the Rain number with Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelley and Donald

O’Connor used hats and gold coats as their props in the number, and I think it really

helped in adding more of that high-energy needed in this number. They used the coats

with their arms, and added more story telling with it. The coats changed up the rhythm,

and added more drama to the number so it really felt like a “musical theatre” number with

the added props.

5. This is one of Fred Astaire’s first solos in his career, and it really captures the raw,

authenticity of the performance since he really wanted as little editing as possible and

wanted the whole body shown from head to toe on camera. He’s in a tux and this looks

like a really standard “tap” solo. When I think of tap dancing I think of something like

this—it’s very cheeky and fun. The music is uptempo and elegant.

6. Christopher Walkin’s solo is sexy, and has a slower groove to it. It definitely picks up at

the end though and turns into a fast, swung rhythm. He is stripping during the dance

number so that definitely adds to the sex appeal.

7. They are different in costume, music, style and environment. Fred Astaire is in a tux in

some elegant ballroom and Christopher Walkin is in a bar stripping with a hat on.

Christopher Walkin’s number also is much more sexy, groovier and swung.

8. Tommy Tune and Sandman Sims were two of the four “Tap Masters” in Tap Dance inTh

America.

9. The quality of the soft shoe is definitely not as loud and in your face as normal taps,

however, they slid their feet on stage a lot to make a distinct soft shoe sound, and that

was really cool to watch them slide across the stage. It looked like they were floating on

the stage, and just sliding on ice. That definitely takes a lot of control and technique.

10. Gregory Hines was sliding his feet up and down, back and forth so many times! I am

astounded by his control, and the strength it takes to lift your weight and slide like that.

The fact that he improved that is absolutely insane. It looks like he puts a lot more energy

and passion in the tap sounds vs the women. The women’s sounds are much softer and

quieter. The woman in the purple was incredible—I don’t know how she makes those

sounds so fast and controlled. It sounded like typing on a laptop at one point.
11. The dances in the PBS show differed from the musical numbers because it’s a different

setting. The musical numbers are from shows that needed to achieve an objective and had

a purpose to push the story line along. The numbers in the PBS show were all “cabaret

style” and were solely to entertain and show off. There was no specific costume to the

character like the musical numbers had, and they were on a stage vs whatever

environments the musical numbers took place in. The PBS show numbers had room to

improv, but the musical numbers were strictly supposed to be danced as they were meant

to.

12. Young Savion brought some hip hop style into tap with his slides and even the way he’s

dressed. He taps in straight rhythm which is more popular today so he probably

influenced that. Older Savion has more grounded footwork, and really pushes down into

the floor. He isn’t afraid to be messy and make noise. He is very controlled and articulate

at the same time as being not all the way put together. It’s very free and soul driven. It’s a

Capella so you can really hear all the taps, and hear how he keeps a steady tempo

throughout which is impressive because he has nothing to hide from or use as a crutch.

He really rides with the rhythm and takes flight.

13. It looks like two different groups are confronting each other with their own style of tap

dance. One is traditional Irish dance style. Each group is showing each other their moves

and one-upping the other. They have very stiff upper bodies and quick footwork. You can

tell the difference with the traditional Irish dance group having different shoes that look

like heels. They’re specifically made to make certain sounds for this show. The other

group shows more of a breakdancing style.

14. I really enjoyed Savion Glover’s performance on the Jerry Lewis show. He is so

passionate when he dances and it clearly shines through. He puts so much energy and

natural talent into his steps. He has a gift and truly looks like he is in a different world

while he’s tapping. He has so much control over his dancing. A lot of times tap dance

looks very “controlled” and “perfect”, but his is done in a way that doesn’t look like he’s

holding back or being put in a box—he fully explodes and takes up all the space when he

moves.

15. I would say my least favorite performance of all of them would be the Bill Robinson &

Shirley Temple clip. It’s short and sweet, however it’s just cute. The other performances

are so rich with layers and stories and passion. I know Shirley Temple is young and the

whole idea of her is supposed to be cute and sweet, but next to all of these great

performances she doesn’t stick out.