keep your tap students engaged Archives - Tapatak Oz

Accent = Colour! Is your canvas full? Another fabulous teaching tip for you!

admin_toz — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 16:30:19 +0000

Hello hello to everyone,

I had such a great response from my last blog that I thought I would put another one out there for you all to enjoy.

So for this blog I want to chat briefly about the use of accent!

For me the use of accent is paramount in creating a full bodied, layered and textured sound. Without it the rhythmic component of the tapping becomes quite bland and not at all nice to listen too.

I am sure many of you have been at comps and witnessed the very popular use of funky music accompanied by bashed and bullied beats that make you feel like you are being hit over the head with a saucepan. It can be equally ineffective when all the beats are so soft they can hardly be heard.

The answer…… a skilful placement of accent!

The beauty of accent is that it highlights the rhythm and gives it colour. The accent allows the rhythm to pop and shine! So I highly recommend that you think carefully about where the accent is placed in all the steps and combos you teach, as explaining this to your students will make a huge impact.

I have found that explaining the mechanics of placing the accent in a step or combo to the class, really empowers them and excites their interest. Suddenly the step and what they are learning has new depth and interest. It is no longer – just the step! And it gives the more advanced students something more to play with too.

A great exercise to demonstrate this is the use of the ” single heel”, ” heels” – or paradiddle!

Firstly teach it the Aussie way = 1 Heel dig R = this has the accent on it
& Brush up R
2 Ball dig R
& Heel drop R

Repeat this 16 times really focusing on placing that accent on the Heel Dig on count 1

Then teach it the American way = 1 Heel drop L = this has the accent on it
& Heel dig R
2 Brush up R
& Ball dig R

Repeat this 16 times really focusing on placing that accent on the Heel Drop on count 1

You then explain how our Aussie version gives the step a very strong and bright sound, whilst in the second version when we start on the heel drop, the accent in that position gives the step a more mellow, laid back funky feel.

The ” Forward and Back” Combo in Tapatak Oz Teen Advanced One also give as great example of the effect changing the placement of the accent has. And with the recent updates – this combo is just super fun. It is one of my favourites and I never tire of teaching it ha ha ha! So you can use that with more advanced students too.

I would also have them create their own combos where they is a change in the accent so they can see firsthand the effect it has.Students love being creative and putting their own ideas forward too – so this is a great class exercise.

So my question to you today is this……. ” Is your tapping canvas full of colour?”

If it isn’t – you may want to spend some time adjusting that and watch the fun begin.

In my experience – a little bit of colour, which in the world of tap = accent, gives a lot of bang for your buck!

So – enjoy!

And remember – Tapatak Oz has 12 levels of fabulous class work to keep you going year in and year out. We have great progressions and lots of fun ideas on how to teach the work too.

Just head to our website and grab what you need: www.tapatak-oz.com

You can buy one level, buy a pack or save heaps and get the lot!

All levels come with a video file, music file and PDF and you will have them within 10 – 15 minutes of purchasing.

It has never been easier to add something new to your tap classes!

So – that’s it for now.

Have fun fun fun!

Christine

The post Accent = Colour! Is your canvas full? Another fabulous teaching tip for you! appeared first on Tapatak Oz.

Hello? hello…….keep the attention of your class with this easy trick!

admin_toz — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 16:30:48 +0000

Hello hello to all,

…… and a huge welcome to all those teachers who took advantage of our February Flash Sale and saved themselves a huge $1000.00! It is great to have you with us!

Today – I just want to share with you a great tip for keeping your children engaged in their tap classes.

And the tip is this…….. when asking the students to perform exercises and combinations one at a time – which I feel is essential in a tap dance class – first of all set up the rest of the class to be holding time with a simple beat, whilst the soloist performs the step.

This works a treat!

For example: your class has just learned ” heels” = heel dig, brush up, step heel = 1&2&

[ in the USA you may call this a paradiddle ]

So – I would have the rest of the class walking or performing ball digs in time, as the soloist does this step = 1 2 3 4

You now have the soloist = 1&2&3&4&
And the group / class = 1 2 3 4

Not only does this create a lovely cross rhythm but it keeps all students engaged as no-one is left out, standing around the room waiting for their turn to solo.

It is really important however, to have all students 100% engaged in this ” time keeping” activity – so if they do not look excited and if they are not looking around at each other in a fun, encouraging, ” jamming” atmosphere, then you need to stop them and start again.

This is such a great tool for class.

It also teaches the importance of holding time – both to the class, who are effectively the time keepers and the soloist as they are tap their step out within that time frame.

I have found that children of all ages truly love this and it allows a lot of repetition in an engaging and fun way.

As you go around the room this approach also teaches ” when to come in ” as each child might repeat the step 8 times and then the next child starts. Again – if they miscount or miss their turn – either start again – or miss them and hold the time. They will soon learn to be ready for their go ha ha ha.

To add even more interest you could add a third part to this system as shown with our first example below:

You now have the soloist = 1&2&3&4&
And the group / class = 1 2 3 4
And extra part = 2& 4& [ this could be another group adding a clapping rhythm ]

Through this the students are now also learning to layer rhythms.

Very cool!

And of course you simply make the top rhythms more complex when the students are more advanced! But remember to keep the base line – the time keepers – simple and clear.

So – there you have it.

A fantastic tap teaching tool to keep your students engaged at any age and level.

So enjoy and have fun!

……….. – and for those who are clients you can head to our VIP FACEBOOK PAGE or our VIP LOG IN on the website for oodles of great teaching tips and class ideas – all designed to make your tap classes heaps of FUN FUN FUN!

Till next time – love tap and pass it on!

Christine

www.tapatak-oz.com

Great tapping content for all levels, ages and abilities and all explained in great details.

All resources are fully downloadable and available 24/7

So – get it now and take the stress out of your tap classes!

The post Hello? hello…….keep the attention of your class with this easy trick! appeared first on Tapatak Oz.