Video Dictionaries ⋆ Level Progression ⋆ Techniques ⋆ Tap Fever Studios

Level Progression

One of the most exciting things about learning to dance is getting to the point when you realize that you’ve improved and are ready to go up to the next level for more of a challenge.
If you’ve had some experience, but not sure which level to join, give us a call and we can help determine the best fit! 858-456-7301
*If younger students show maturity and skill, they may (with instructor approval) move into a class with students in the next age bracket above their own.

Tap Technique

In tap dance, you need to be confident with the basics for progression to the next level. After learning technique & terminology in class, these videos can be a great help when practicing at home! TAP DANCE VIDEO DICTIONARY

BASIC TERMINOLOGY

BEGINNING TAP, LEVEL 1.5

INTERMEDIATE TAP

ADVANCED TAP

TIME STEPS

TURNS

The Shim Sham Shimmy is often referred to as the tap dancer’s anthem. You can familiarize yourself with this dance by reading the info listed here. To learn the dance, check in with Tap Fever for upcoming workshops!

History of The Shim Sham

From Wikipedia:
The Shim Sham Shimmy, or just Shim Sham originally is a particular tap dance routine and is regarded as tap dance’s national anthem.
At the end of many performances, all of the musicians, singers, and dancers would get together on stage and do one last routine: the Shim Sham Shimmy. Tap dancers would perform technical variations, while singers and musicians would shuffle along as they were able.
There are several variations of “shim sham” choreography. There is the choreography used by Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant, as well as a number of variations by Leonard Reed and others. Other “shim sham” choreographies include ones by Frankie Manning, Al Minns and Leon James (also called the “Savoy Shim Sham”), and Dean Collins.

The Leonard Reed Shim Shams

• The Original Shim Sham, circa 1927 is a 32 bar chorus composed of 4 steps and a break
• The Freeze Chorus, circa 1930’s is the same as the Original Shim Sham, but without the breaks
• The Joe Louis Shuffle Shim Sham, circa 1948 is a tap-swing dance 32 bar chorus number that Leonard Reed performed with the World Heavyweight Boxing champ Joe Louis
• The Shim Sham II, circa 1994 is a 32 bar chorus dance based on the Original Shim Sham
• The Revenge of the Shim Sham, circa 2002 is a 32 bar chorus dance, and is Leonard Reed’s final Shim Sham, which builds elegantly upon his original four.
All 5 of the Leonard Reed Shim Shams can be found in a video HERE.

Shim Sham Music

The Shim Sham goes best with swing songs whose melody lines start on beat eight, as does the choreography. An obvious choice is The Shim Sham Song (Bill Elliot Swing Orchestra), which was written specifically for this dance and has musical effects (e.g., breaks) in all the right places. However, today the Shim Sham — particularly the Frankie Manning version — is danced more often to “‘Tain’t What You Do (It’s The Way That Cha Do It)” by Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra, or “Tuxedo Junction” by Erskine Hawkins. There is also a recording “Stompin’ at the Savoy” with the George Gee band where Manning himself calls out the moves.

Jazz Technique

Correct posture and technique is essential to properly execute things like leaps and turns. Jazz dancers’ strong and sharp movements are greatly aided by regular practice in dance classes. Explore the video dictionary to see some of the terminology you’ll learn! JAZZ DANCE VIDEO DICTIONARY

Ballet Technique

Posture, toe pointing, and correct body positions, lines, and angles are all important aspects of ballet. After learning technique & terminology in class, these videos can be a great help when practicing at home! BALLET VIDEO DICTIONARY

Pointe Readiness Checklist

See if you meet the criteria for starting pointe!
You must accomplish all 12 items on the list.

★ at least 11 years old
★ big toe reaches alignment with the ankle when fully pointed
★ perform a series of 1st position relevés without sickling/pronating the ankles in the center
★ perform a series of relevés on one leg without sickling/pronating the ankles in the centre
★ hold a sous-sus balance for 16 counts
★ hold a passé relevé balance for 8 counts
★ perform a clean single pirouette in high relevé
★ perform pique sous-sus, pique turn, and pique arabesque without bending the working leg
★ maintain sufficient turnout during barre, centre, and grand allegro
★ alignment must be maintained throughout barre, centre, and grand allegro
★ consistently prepared for class
★ good physical health (injuries or illness may prevent progress & increase risk of injury)

Contemporary Technique

Contemporary dance technique tends to combine the strong but controlled legwork of ballet with modern that stresses on torso. It also employs contract-release, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation characteristics of modern dance. CONTEMPORARY DANCE DICTIONARY

Hip-Hop Technique

Hip-hop dance steps require skill and experience to perfect. Hip-hop dancers practice a lot in order to master basic steps and movements that appear simple when performed. Dancers with a good sense of rhythm find it easier to learn hip-hop steps. HIP-HOP DANCE VIDEO DICTIONARY

Acro Technique

Acro can be very beautiful, and adds a “wow” factor to your dance technique, but it’s very physically demanding and requires strength, control and flexibility. To avoid injuries, please do not attempt strenuous moves without the consult and supervision of an instructor. ACRO DANCE VIDEO DICTIONARY