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Notes On Dance Appreciation Da 101-01

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MY THINH CAO November 7, 2014
Dance Appreciation DA-101-01
Reading Response 3
Prof. Catherine Baggs Jazz and Tap Dance
There are various types of dances. However, in many forms, tap and jazz dances are very popular because they include diversified styles. In the 19th century, these dancers began to form and develop in the United States. Unlike the other dances, tap dance and jazz dance are blended from different dance forms. They are considered as the arts, and reflect American cultures as well.
There are some ethnic dances that contribute to the development of tap and jazz dances. Tap dance came from African and British Isles folk dances. It was combined between African step dancing with the tap sound of the drums and the British Isles clog. Lihs (2009) stated, “The idea of putting metal taps on the soles of shoes to accentuate the dancer’s steps apparently came from England, where 19th century step dancers were performing lively dances in wooden clogs” (p. 81). That time, white people imitated the songs and dances of African-American to make a show called minstrel and then developed to Vaudeville stage. Beside tap dance, jazz was developing at the same time. It didn’t depend on tapping sounds, but was a new form of dance. Jazz dance was a mixed dance of different forms, including tap, ballet, African, European and American social dances (Lihs, 2009, p. 84).
As we known, tap dance is considered as a part of jazz. In studying, jazz dance is defined by a big tree with

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