The Essential Guide to Tap Dance

From the propulsive rhythm of the African dancer, to the swinging ragtime of the American jazz age, tap dancing has evolved into a unique blend of cultural expression, improvisation and creativity, open to all ages and abilities. With clear step-by-step instructions, The Essential Guide to Tap Dance covers basic steps such as the shuffle, pick up and paddle, before building these into traditional combinations such as the time step and shim sham. Additional material includes the history and development of tap dancing; rhythm and musicality; learning the language of tap dancing; the role of improvisation and choreography and finally, the basic steps to advanced techniques. This is the perfect companion to instruct the beginner tap dancer and expand the more experienced dancer's technique, offering full-colour pictures, helpful instruction and essential notes on this vibrant and accessible dance form. Illustrated throughout with 138 colour photographs and line artworks.

Derek Hartley is an international authority on tap dancing, with over thirty-five years' experience as a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher. He has earned a glowing reputation for innovative work in film, television and theatre world-wide, and is a leading lecturer in theatre arts, choreography, jazz and tap history. Derek has taught at many of the UK's major dance schools, including Bird College, London Studio, the Sylvia Young Theatre School and Pineapple Dance Studios, where he still teaches.