Words and taps by Tony Curtis...

The Time Step is a repetitive tap combination which was initially used as a means by which a tap dancer could communicate with the band and set the type of tempo that he required. Dancers all preferred different tempo's or music speeds according to their ability and style of dancing. Back in the 30's there were many tap dancers who each had there own distinctive time step with their own sound, rhythm and style and subsequently could be recognised by their unique time step.
Before the emergence of many of the main innovators, tap dancers used to begin all of their routines with a Time Step, which was then followed by a routine or improvisation. The Time Step was adopted later on for big productions with large numbers of dancers and was standardised by dance teachers, some of which had a background of ballet, who established a set choreographed Time Steps that could easily be learned and adapted for stage productions and became a standard requirement for dancers, which is still with us today in dance academies.  



The Time Step is a rhythmic tap combination which is repeated just like a drummer who plays along with a band in accompaniment, time signatures of typically 4:4 or even the waltz 3:4 time could be accomplished with various combinations of tap steps in order to communicate the desired tempo and time signature, which was required, to the musicians. The very basic Time Step to which all other Time Steps are derived from has a rhythm that can be instantly recognisable by saying the sentence, "Thanks for the bug-gy ride", which is a 6 beat phrase with an accent on the fifth beat "gy".


Although the Time Step is taught to students in standard single, double and triple form, it is possible to just create your own. By just putting together your favourite steps in a one or two bar sequence. As mentioned above, each tap dancer had their own time step by which they could be recognised by and there is nothing to stop you adding your own personal touches once you have mastered the the basic tap dance rudiments. Because there are a variety of tap steps to chose from and different ways of performing them this in its self explains why different dancers had different Time Step combinations, which they made their own and they became known and associated with.

Form this basic Time Step, other steps can be added, in order to create different sounds and where you place your accents (Louder sounds) can have a profound effect on the sound produced from a Time Step. Today the Time Step is a great training aid for developing rhythm in students and is also a good way of putting all of the shuffles and other combinations into one repetitive rhythmic practice sequence so that you are not just doing set of isolated shuffles or step ball change rudiments, but are involved with a satisfying rhythmic combination where you can immediately hear your improvement in both sound and speed.

The Time Step became such a standard association to a tap dancer that it was use as a compliment by saying some one is so good they even make the time step look good, or the reverse was used as a put down. No one really knows where the Time Step comes from or where it originated from. I believe that it just naturally developed, although there are striking similarities to African and American Indian dances that could all be associated with the evolution of the dance. Where ever it came from it shall continue to be taught and used as an essential part of a tap dancers repertoire.


Tap Masters, Steps, Acts and expertise are steadily being lost in time. The Time Step will remain with us as long as there are people enthusiastic enough to want to teach it. It is hoped that it will be as timeless as the masters who evolved the step combination. Even though it's interpretation may vary from teacher to teacher, country to country and year by year, thankfully there are many hours of film and video tape around to preserve interpretations given by original founders. I hope there will always be enough teachers and students taught by master technicians to carry on the art, handing down the history and techniques used by dancers past. The art must be kept alive by the work of tap enthusiasts, authors of tap books, videos and this new medium, the Internet. The 'Time Step' is the start and you are the future, if you have decided to undertake the wonderful tap journey of discovery. The Time Step is after all the catalyst that brings all tap dancers together through out the world in one common rhythmic bond.

 

Words and taps by Tony Curtis...

You can e-mail Tony by clicking his picture above or E-Mailing him at tapmastert@yahoo.com